When I entered Harvard Medical School, I thought I would go into emergency medicine. It was 1997, George Clooney was a doctor on TV, and it looked so cool. But when I did my Emergency Department rotation, I immediately discovered that I was irritated by all the random beeping noises in the ER. And for some reason, the ER’s bright fluorescent lights bothered me (is it just me, but aren’t they brighter than at other places in the hospital?). Emergency medicine was just not right for me.
So I kept an open mind and looked into other fields. I even considered such different specialties as dermatology and radiation oncology.
Once I started my ophthalmology rotation, I fell in love. It was perfect for me. This is why:
● I enjoy getting to know my patients. It’s great to be part of the local community. In this regard, it’s similar to primary care.
● I love working with my hands. Microsurgery and office procedures are just plain fun.
● I’m a real geek. Every day I use cool gadgets, high-tech cameras, and lasers.
● One’s eyesight is so important. Every day I am thankful that I can make a difference in people’s lives.
It took a while to figure out, but I have found the right job for me!