When It Rains, It Pours

September 13, 2007

Today, I got the most important call in my medical career.  At 10:37 am, the Chief Resident of the PGH-Dermatology Section called me up to congratulate and welcome me to their residency program.  It was a culmination of what I had worked for during the last 4 years.  My first instinct was to call Eileen, one of my roommates in Med School and incidentally, applying in Derma as well.  She asked me specifically a week before that if ever they call me, I should let her know asap. Since 2nd year, the three of us have been daydreaming about this.  Groggy Eileen picks up the phone, and I tell her sorry but you have to wake up, like right now! Haha.. Because if ever the Section calls you and you still sound like you rolled out of bed, you might say something you're not supposed to say :) 

Then Tricia, my other former roommate, texted to congratulate me, I told her I'll be praying for you dear.  Turns out she got accepted as well. :) so 2 na from 18-D.  15 minutes later, it was Eileen's turn to call me.. That makes 3. 

I was hoping that our other classmates would get accepted in the program!  There were 10 of us from UP who applied this year making it more difficult because each of us had their own merits.  And we took the same exam as the Internal Medicine applicants.

4:30 pm My cellphone rings again.  This time, it was Dr. Fores, the Admissions Committee Chair from Makati Medical Center. Big time ito.  She was the one who told us that morning that at exactly 9 am, pens should be down and if you're still writing, they won't even bother to check your paper.  She continued with " This is a competitive exam.  If you are seated beside your friend and you help her with one question, you are helping her get that slot instead of you. Be conscious of the time also, you are given 1 and a half hours to finish this exam." Ok i thought. "We will contact you in the next 48 hours if you qualify so do not call us or bother our residents to ask what your score was." Mental note.

One look at her that morning, I got easily intimidated with the bling-bling and her demeanor.

Consultant: "Is this Dr. Monica Felise Jara? (buong name ko pa talaga) Congratulations for making it to the top 10 of our qualifying examination this morning.  Your interview is scheduled on September 22. at blah-blah" 

I let her finish but I was also happy. I said, "Thank you maam but I would have to decline my application in advance."

She says, "But why?" (sounding surprised)

me: Maam, I have just been accepted in another Residency Program.

Consultant: ah really what?

me: Dermatology maam

Consultant: yeah i know, but what training institution? (oo nga naman, ang labo)

me:  uhhh PGH po. (of course, feeling ko na at this point eh hindi ako bagay sa Makati Med coz I have been so used to PGH.. u either love PGH or u dont)

Consultant: Oh ok. Congratulations then.. I'll still be seeing you in the PDS Conventions... Congratulations again and thank you for letting us know in advance.

Wow, 2 training institutions.. I had dreamt about this.  My friends asked me before, "What if you qualify for both?  What will you say in the MMC interview?"  I still don't know actually what to say in MMC.  That was Plan B.  I cannot lie. Both institutions had very good programs.  But clearly, I had already made my choice. I spent the last 5 years in PGH and it taught me very valuable lessons, which I don't think I would get anywhere else.

Comments

[Hannah Grace]

Congrats! Just found your blog. ^_^