It’s Been One Year Since I Matched. Here’s What I’ve Learned Thus Far:

I cannot believe it’s been a year. I went from “she’ll never match” to Dr. Anya Bazzell, MD, MPH, MS, soon-to-be 2^nd Year Resident. All God. One year ago, I matched into Family Medicine after a very tumultuous journey. My Match Day results were a bit of a shock for multiple reasons, but I was determined to stay driven, stay hungry, and make things work. I still am. I have learned so much within this past year and I wanted to share with all of you who are about to branch out and step into this space. Keep reading to see what residency has taught me thus far.

You can make a specialty work for you. With patience and creativity, you can make it work. I’ve made it no secret that I dual applied to Family Medicine and OB/GYN residency programs. I am extremely passionate about Women’s Health and will have an amazing career in that realm. OB/GYN is absolutely the more direct pathway in that feat, but Family Medicine has plenty open doors too. I have been very vocal about what I need during my training to set me up for success. I have been very vocal about what I am not interested in gaining extra exposure to. And after a bit of drama (more on that later), I have been able to garner a good amount of support. I am too old to play the “I’m interested in everything” game. I am teachable, but without being a sycophant. This is my final stage before Attending life and I am determined to be intentional. On each rotation, I have made my interests known. On my ED shifts, I assigned myself to almost every pregnant woman and young woman with an acute abdomen. The ED folks gladly obliged. For Peds ED, I was assigned to adolescent girls coming in for sexual and reproductive health needs. On Inpatient Medicine, my co-interns have made sure I get the patients with women’s health concerns. Closed mouths do not get fed. Let’s just say this past year, I ate. I also advocated for my program to have a Women’s Health track like several other programs out there. My program director graciously agreed and I am so excited to gain even more exposure to my interests as a 2^nd and 3^rd year. My program allows away rotations which I fully plan to take advantage of. You don’t always need what you think you need to get to the next point in life. Yes, transferring programs is always an option, but making your program/specialty work for your needs is so possible too. And for where I am in life, the hours for Family Medicine definitely fit. I have so many interests outside of medicine and I cannot imagine working more than 75 hours a week and NEVER getting full weekends. God knows what I want, but He’s balancing that with what I need.

People will try you…especially in a professional setting. Workplace lynching is absolutely a thing. I have been absolutely floored by some of the experiences, cattiness, self-boredom, and unnecessary drama. I have been even more floored by the excuses made for said behavior. You think that once you reach a certain level in a professional realm, everyone will be about their business, mind their business, and focus on the work. Not so. It’s a hot mess all up and through these “professional” streets. Especially in residency, document EVERYTHING, request meetings with your program directors as necessary, draw a line in the sand IMMEDIATELY to set the tone for how you will and will not be treated, and never allow foolishness to obstruct your learning experience. There are good people (residents and faculty) in my program who have been supportive of and so kind to me. For that I am very pleased. Finding your tribe in residency is so important, as is shutting down the drama.

Black patients are gaslit 24/7. Black residents are gaslit 24/7. Oh the things I have witnessed. Yes, even in the great “liberal” state of New York. Patients getting security and the cops called on them. Patients dealing with white roommates’ harassment while nurses look away or take sides. Patients being labeled as drug-seeking and getting drug tested when it’s not indicated. I’ve seen Black patients’ pain minimized and their resulting anger maximized. Residents being antagonized by peers. Residents under more scrutiny. Residents without adequate workplace policy to protect them from racism. Even with all of these encounters, the Black experience as a patient and resident are constantly downplayed. This article describes the experience perfectly and also provides recommendations for improvement. We need more Black doctors, y’all. We need more of a presence for our patients and for one another. In total, 13.4% of the US population is Black. However, Black people only comprise 5% of US doctors. Coming from an HBCU, I never felt the weight of that percentage until I moved here. Research shows time and time again the patient experience is enhanced when they share a racial and ethnic background with their doctors. Yes, it is ok to have a doctor who does not look like you, but why can’t Black people have more options for providers with similar backgrounds so communication, understanding, and cultural competence are enhanced? We have a lot of work to do.

Balance is essential. It’s not some abstract idea to be pushed off until after residency. It’s right now. Do y’all see all these residents and Attendings posting on IG about early retirement and escape plans? There is absolutely a reason for that. It’s so helpful to define balance before you start residency and make a plan to maintain it once you are really in the thick of it. I am beyond grateful I have my blog. Focusing on creativity and maintaining something I built is truly a God-sent. That’s what works for me. Find what works for you and allow it to evolve as your life in residency evolves.

Learning is universal. Everyone is learning daily. The professionals and the tenured still have to ask questions and look things up. At some point and with certain information, the learning curve is steep for everyone. It is absolutely ok if you do not know everything. If you did, you probably wouldn’t need residency. I find comfort in that notion. I am asking the questions. I am looking things up. When it comes to patient care, humility is something we should all practice. I would prefer to get it right for a patient than to “look good” because I exude “confidence” by never asking for help. And you know what? I’ve seen more seasoned residents AND Attendings do the exact same.

This past year has been a whirlwind. It’s been trying and fast. It’s also been incredibly rewarding. I am on the right path and I am so so grateful to be learning every day. Incoming interns, y’all can do it. Y’all will do it. Matter fact, y’all have to do it because I’m ready to hand over these notes, hours, and weekend responsibilities. Ha! Enjoy your time off and get ready to enjoy the journey that is residency. It’s a wild and beautiful ride.

xx,

Photos by Dadou Studios

Preset by Tina Smith