Alright, y’all. I passed STEP 3 and the countdown to my NYC exodus is even more official! Since passing that exam, I truly have felt less stressed; free even. Knowing that nothing holds me back from leaving truly has freed me up to resume my enjoyment in the city. I’ve been going out more and have definitely gotten back in the groove with my NYC bucket list. I’ve been having a time!
In the midst of my newfound freedom, I’ve also had time to really think about the good parts of my time here…because there has been some good. In fact, there has been a lot of great! When I think of my experience in totality, I have come to realize I actually have been living it up. Busted apartment, uncomfortable work experiences, and rats aside, ya girl has been living. And I wanted to share those significant moments with all of you. In no particular order:
My trip to Balthazar. Everyone talks about this bustling French cuisine restaurant down in SoHo. I knew I had to try and when I did, I was in for such a sweet surprise. I was seated immediately—on a Saturday, no less—and as soon as I started perusing the menu, something unexpected happened. The waiter came over with a glass of champagne and told me it was on the house. For me??? No one had sent it. I hadn’t shared my social media. The champagne was purely a gift from the restaurant. I was like who am I? I am SHE! When the city goes above and beyond to be nice to me, it really does stand out. I spent the afternoon sipping champagne, eating my French dish, and truly being that girl about town.
The Piano Lesson. Y’all, I really wanted to see this play. I mean REALLY. I honestly did not want to pocket that spend and my time was limited since it was close to the end of the season and I was about to leave town for my away rotation. I had been looking up ticket prices and trying to coordinate dates when all of a sudden, a brand contact reached out about the show. They offered me comped tickets and my pick of dates! And when I got to the box office…ORCHESTRA SEATS, SHAWTY!! I was just so thrilled and honored. John David Washington did his thing and deserves all the awards for the number of lines he had. I got to see THE Samuel L. Jackson up close and personal. Truly, it was a wonderful night and perfect timing!
My Dunkin’ Ad. I have had the pleasure of working with some pretty amazing and noteworthy brands. Dunkin’ is definitely one of those brands! Posting this ad was so incredibly fun for me because it’s a brand I have patronized over the years. The experience was even more fun because of my co-residents’ reactions. Lol! This ad was at the end of intern year when we were already celebrating and they definitely hyped me up. When I walked into the restaurant for our end of intern year celebration, they were all “Dunkin’ Donuts?! Yesssss!!” They helped me feel really great about it. It’s one thing to do this work—and content creation is work. It’s another thing to be acknowledged for it. That’s a memory I’ll have forever.
My Co-Residents Having My Back. Speaking of my co-residents, one of my top NYC moments is definitely them coming to my defense. My intern year experience was so incredibly isolating, but with the more recent situation, I’m told leadership heard from a lot of my peers. Their actions really did help me feel seen and even protected. One of my co-residents even went out of her way to draft me a list of Black female therapists she had researched and sent it to me. The list had notes about each therapist, what my co-resident liked about them, scheduling, and insurance info. Then she emailed them for me so I could choose one and get the process started. LIKE WHAT?!?! I’m beyond grateful. My experience hasn’t been easy, but I HAVE to take the time to show gratitude for the support I have received. From the bottom of my heart, thank y’all.
My First New York Fashion Week. What a time! I had been dreaming about going to NYFW and being one of the #nycstreetstyle girls for a while. I was ecstatic to get show/presentation invites and to have a schedule that permitted me to go. Oh yes! The experience was amazing. I was able to meet Regina Hall, speak with fashion designers for brands I love, and meet the incredibly talented bloggers I follow on social media. Everyone was so kind and I really did have the time of my life.
Passing STEP 3. When I tell you I am praising God for that daily!!! I mean it! Having that moment in my humble NYC apartment where I officially conquered everything some of the powers that be at my alma mater said I would not? Priceless. Truly. I am more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37. Always have been. Always will be. This moment in time will forever be solidified as one of my greatest—one where I truly defied the odds that were stacked…and then crumbled.
Delivering Babies. There is nothing quite as sweet, precious, and rewarding as helping bring life into the world. I thoroughly enjoyed my OB rotation where I was able to help deliver my continuity patients—those who had been with me since the beginning of their pregnancies. To be apart of such intimate, important experiences is life-changing and so very meaningful. It is great privilege to participate, to be a clinician and advocate for Black women, and to show up as my authentic self doing what I love.
My Nike Ad. Y’all, I have also been wanting to work with Nike for some time. I even had a vision for the exact type of concept and video I would want to produce for them and I do believe that vision came from God. I could not find the correct brand contact. Don’t you know they emailed me top of this year confirming a partnership?! Just wow, God! That ad and vision came to fruition this week and I’m so incredibly proud of that work and how I integrated my real life into the product depiction. Thank y’all so much for supporting that post!
Finishing Intern Year. The first year is the hardest in any program. I made it through and am well on the other side. The 2ndand 3rd years of my program are packed with more elective time and more time away from the inpatient service. I have truly been enjoying my time and my study of what I plan to practice: women’s health.
All the brand events! Since I moved here, I have been true to form: saving lives during the day and glamazoning at night. I have been living up to every part of my Surgery And The City brand. I am beyond proud of how my brand has grown in NYC and how PR firms have seen enough in me and thought enough of me to invite me to events. It is a God send to have something other than medicine to think about sometimes; to have a creative outlet. With brand events, I can network more, see more of the city, and create more partnerships for my business. I also have a reason to dress up and enjoy my youth! I’m grateful for every single opportunity. Many thanks to my brand partners!
Immense gratitude flows from my heart, y’all. No experience is perfect. Mine certainly isn’t, but I must say amazing things have happened to me in the Big Apple. I look forward to my 3rd and final year being my best year yet. I have a few goals and I will definitely report back once I accomplish them. Thank y’all always for reading along and cheering me on! Until next time…
xx,
Photos by Sweetie Mensah
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