The R-Word: Spread the Word to End the Word

For much of her life, the R-word was just another careless expression. Then she met Caleb, a young man with special needs, and saw the devastating impact the three-syllable utterance could have.

In her first appearance on the PNWU Health Blog, PNWU Developmental Club President Sarah Tucker challenges readers to consider the power behind their vernacular, and offers a simple solution to help curb the perpetuation of the stigma behind developmental disabilities: just stop saying it.

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Sarah Tucker
On Being Complete

After taking some personal time to discover a balance between being goal-oriented and self-fulfilled, second-year PNWU osteopathic medical student Sarah Cain offers readers valuable advice on how to be complete.

“In ‘the end’ — which implies your end — all that will matter is that you felt meaningful to yourself.” 

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Sarah Cain
Death of a Child

Sitting with his wife in Seattle Children’s Hospital, second-year PNWU student Ryan Ostler was faced with a decision that would forever shape his world. In one of our most touching blogs to date, Ostler explains how one of life’s most incomprehensible nightmares — and all of the interactions he experienced throughout the process — pushed him to become a medical student.

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Ryan Ostler
A Busy Medical Student’s Guide to Helping Your Infant Reach Developmental Milestones

As if transitioning into life as an osteopathic medical student wasn’t enough, PNWU OMS II Boone Rhinehart also entered into the world of fatherhood in the summer before he started at PNWU. Reflecting on his journey, Rhinehart offers tips and insight into how he helped his newborn son reach a series of developmental milestones while maintaining his hectic medical school schedule.

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Boone Rhinehart
Tips For Solo Travel

Despite her young age, PNWU OMS III Thida Myint is already well on her way towards accomplishing her life goal of visiting every continent. Now, with over 30 countries worth of stamps in her passport book, Myint shares some tips on exploring the world solo.

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Thida Myint
Cinnamon, Sugar, and Saline

Immersed in the mouth-watering wonders of sprinkles and confectioners sugar since she was a little girl, PNWU OMS II Anastasia Bernhard offers readers an escape into the gentle hum of her KitchenAid mixer, and explains how she finds peace at the bottom of the mixing bowl.

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Anastasia Bernhard
Decreasing Stress, Increasing Production: How I Found Time in Med School to Make My Health a Priority

As the demands of medical school mounted, PNWU student Hanna Mackie couldn’t seem to find time for anything but school. Frustrated and overwhelmed, she wished there were more minutes in the day. Soon, however, she realized that more time wasn’t the solution. Instead, what she needed was a break.

Now in her second year, Hanna shares her secrets for achieving balance and finding happiness as a busy medical student.

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Hanna Mackie
Growing Awareness: PNWU Movember

As the calendar rolled into November, a collection of PNWU students and staff members put down their razors to raise awareness in rather unusual way.

PNWU Marketing Coordinator Paul Bubluski visits with Movember participants to learn more about their month-long commitment to facial hair and, more importantly, their passion for men’s health awareness.

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Paul Bubluski
No Bones About It: Why I Decided to Become a Bone Marrow Donor

As he passed through the halls of Pacific Northwest University, a sign for bone marrow donations caught the eye of second-year osteopathic medical student John Rosasco. The process seemed simple enough, and after a cheek swab and a couple of minutes worth of paper work, he was on the list and on his way.

A few months later, when he received a call explaining that he was a match for a 62-year-old leukemia patient, that simple step of signing up became a monumental moment in Rosasco’s medical education.

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John Rosasco
Little Lady Edith and Katrina Curled Into a Ball

Working as a nursing assistant, second-year student Richard Arroyo learned quickly that his job, above all of the duties that came along with it, was mainly to fulfill the needed role of ‘loved one’ for many of the patients he cared for.

“We try to maintain dignity as our bodies wither,” Arroyo explains. “I know that elderly patients need guidance through this transition. Perhaps more importantly they need the peace of mind of belonging.”

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Richard Arroyo