Occupational Medicine Residency

I am now in my 3rd month as an occupational medicine resident and it is everything I had hoped and more.  The transition from a naval flight surgeon to a resident has been quite the transition.  Unfortunately, the overused statement of  “going from a sprint on a treadmill to walk off it” is about what I just experienced.

Life as a flight surgeon was about the best possible thing I could imagine to begin my medical career.  I was able to

Life as a flight surgeon is great!
Life as a flight surgeon is great!

accomplish all my goals and many “nice to haves” while on active duty.  It was busy, rewarding and I made many friends that will last for a lifetime.  I did things I didn’t ever imagine doing and learned many things that I’ll utilize for the rest of my life.  If anyone would ask me if I would recommend it I would wholeheartedly say, “Yes!”

As a more practical note, the transition from a flight surgeon to occupational medicine resident was quite straightforward.  Many of the tasks I was doing daily have prepared me for everything I have seen in Occ Med.  Flight physicals, PHAs, FAA Medicals, etc really prepared me and as weird as it might sound I really enjoy continuing along this path.

As part of occupational medicine, I am required to get a Master’s of Public Health or an equivalent Master’s Degree.  My program at the University of Texas offers a Master’s of Environmental Science to their residents.  As part of this degree program I am taking Epidemiology, Soc/Behav Aspects Comm Health and Indust. Hygiene & Safety.  I am enjoying them and will post interesting information from each class in the near future.

Welcome back to my active blog.

Back in the study

Yep, back in residency now and am working on a MS in Environmental Science as part of it. I’ve got some more interesting things to post as of now.