Life in residency is always busy. Time flies by. I am nearly three months into my third and final year of residency (PGY-3). I was scrolling through social media earlier today, and noticed a familiar big announcement:
Today ACGME residency programs start receiving applications. #ERAS2018 pic.twitter.com/ScKRMXMt2r
— ERAS (@ERASinfo) September 15, 2017
The start of a brand new cycle of residency applications is a momentous event. For MS4’s, it marks the official beginning of what will be a life-altering season. Interviews will be sent out to deserving applicants, and both the programs and applicants work towards a match. I can’t help but remember the feeling of pure joy at the sight of each invitation email. It’s been over two full years since I went through the process.
Right now, as I enter the fourth month of my last year of residency, I can say that I am so very honored and happy at my current residency program. I like my co-residents, and call many of them friends. Attendings have been extremely supportive.
Now, I am a candidate for a fellowship in Gastroenterology (GI). I recently went on my first interview for a 2018 position, and felt very, very honored to be in the presence of so many professionals who are making GI their life’s work. Meeting current GI fellows and attendings is extraordinarily invigorating. I can see myself diagnosing and treating patients with disorders of the small intestinal including Celiac Disease and malabsorption. I want to make it my career to protect and prevent complications of Barrett Esophagus, IBD, colon cancer, and various other downstream problems of the gastrointestinal system. A Gastroenterology fellowship would mean the world to me!