The PNWU Health Blog offers insight and first-hand accounts of life here at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
It includes contributions from current and former PNWU medical students, physicians and various members of an ever-expanding community aimed at highlighting care for the rural and underserved. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or ideas, or if you’d like to pitch a blog idea of your own, please contact us at publicity@pnwu.edu.
Justin is my little brother and my favorite human being. He’s 24 years old and he loves the Elvis, the Beatles, bowling, and the TV show Glee. Every time I talk to him he tells me — in detail — the plot of latest episode he’s watched (he’s seen all six seasons innumerable times). He wants to be an actor and musician someday but, for now, he interns at a local theater.
Read MoreAccording to a survey released September 28th, 2017 by the IHI/NPSF Lucian Leape Institute and NORC at the University of Chicago, 21 percent of adults report having personally experienced a medical error and 31% report they have been involved with the care of someone who has experienced an error.
With over 247 million adults in the United States, that means over 52 million people in the US over the age of 18 have personally experienced a medical error.
Read MoreI think it was the first day of summer when I walked down the stairs to see my parents sitting outside staring at nothing. I can still see them sitting on the patio, and remember how uncomfortable they seemed.
No talking. No laughing. Just staring.
Read MoreThe first time I heard about C.T.E., memories of a warm summer day in New England filled my mind. I recalled standing beside a practice field at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, watching an NFL legend approach and remove his helmet. I had grown up watching Junior Seau on television and, now, he was standing in front of me, smiling as he shook my hand.
Read MoreI grew up listening to stories about how great physicians are.
In every instance I can recall, people would always have the utmost utter respect for any healthcare provider, focusing their praises on the selfless service those providers delivered day in and day out. That praise was integral in the formation of the image in my mind of how great healthcare workers are. Ultimately, it sparked my interest in the medical field.
Read MoreI had just graduated from Gonzaga University and was working in neurosurgical research in Seattle when a life-changing opportunity arose.
Joined by a team of amazing medical providers, I was given the opportunity to help provide care for hundreds of children in Morales, Guatemala through a local Washington organization, Healing the Children.
Read MoreWho are our future physicians?
Are they poor or wealthy? What are their home communities like?
For many medical school hopefuls, socioeconomic status can be a determining factor when deciding to apply. From college onward, the preparation for medical school is time-consuming and expensive. From classes to MCAT preparation, the path to medical school takes its toll on students financially and emotionally.
Read MoreEncompassing and profound was the observation that I made that day, which will certainly persist well beyond my training. This observation in one word, is respect.
As I walked to the stage and stated my name during my White Coat Ceremony, I felt respect for myself. For as long as I can recall, my parents had taught me to have this respect and to live my life making choices that reflected it.
Read MoreDoes the phrase “I’ll do it tomorrow” ring a bell? How about “there’s not enough time now, I might as well not start”?
Don’t feel bad if you’re nodding along right now. You’re not alone, fellow procrastinator. In all honestly, I say phrases just like those on a daily basis.
They never seem to be in relation to playing basketball or hanging out with friends. I can’t recall a time when they surfaced during an internal debate over watching television or browsing social media. Instead, they only seem to surface when I have work to do.
Read MoreI felt so safe sitting back and watching everyone else write things for the PNWU blog. I could rest comfortably knowing that each piece published represented a unique perspective from a trusted member of our community. Their stories were great, and I didn’t feel I had much to add to the storytelling that was occurring. That was until now.
I feel I must share a recent experience, not only because I feel it is blog worthy, but because it had a profound impact on me.
Read More
