Class of 2008 Orientation
Laurel Vuongie M'08
After years of all those pre-med classes, surviving 8 hours of the MCATS, shelling out big bucks for the applications, and sitting through med school interviews ("So, what is the meaning of life?"), the 169 members of the TUSM Class of 2008 finally arrived on August 23, 2004. We kicked off orientation week bright-eyed, dressed-to-impress, and ready to meet as many classmates as possible. We ended the week ready for another vacation, but familiar with every bar in Boston, getting punk'd and meeting some of the best med students in the city.
Orientation began with a slew of introductions to half of the schools deans and administrators, including Dean Rosenblatt himself. But what was most impressive about this first day was Dr. Laurie Demmer's clinical presentation. Instead using the traditional and often blah use of PowerPoint, Dr. Demmer introduced us to a mother who personally shared with us her story of delivering a 25 week old baby and the struggles she and her son survived the ensuing months. We were then given a chance to question the mother, a chance to begin practicing our clinical skills. Unfortunately, the day ended with a financial aid entrance interview, where we were reminded that not only would we owe close to a quarter of a million dollar at the end of four years, but that if we ever accidentally forgot to make a payment, our credit would be ruined. Essentially, we were told we were going to be dirt poor for sometime and worse if we weren't mindful.
The next day, we met Dr. Brien Barnewolt who introduced us, not to more administrators, but to our medical equipment. He promised us two things: 1) Reflex hammers, even when labeled, were fair game to being swiped. So don't get too attached to that hammer and keep on eye out for unsupervised ones! And 2) this year he was going to put his foot down and REALLY not allow anyone to attend Clinical Diagnosis without equipment. (How many years has Dr. Barnewolt been saying this already?).
We then finally headed off to the Medford campus for the field day fun organized by the second years. The competition began almost immediately when group leaders raced to get their groups to Fletcher's Field in order to get to the lunch first. For us slow groups, we cursed our slowness as we longingly watched from the back of the line as sandwiches were devoured. But after piling up on the food and getting a chance to bond with our small groups, all were happy and ready to conquer field day. Classic children's games like red rover, three legged race, and balloon toss were just a few of the crazy antics we went through. Unfortunately, they were also the hardest games for most of us. For those who can remember, red rover was a pretty dangerous game to play when you're like 6 or 7 years old. Now imagine 20+ year olds, ranging from 100-200lbs running across the field trying break through the lines of clasped hands. I for one flipped one poor girl and returned home to red welts all over my arm. The second years then spiced up the field day with "Seven-minute" dating, Medical School/Boston Pictionary (Poor soul from Florida had no idea what Fenway Park was!), the orange pass and charades. By far, the most exciting and hilarious event was the relay race. Try as they might, the students who did dizzy bat could not run in a straight line and the students who ate the ramen just freaked everyone out with their strange ability.
Day three of Orientation was filled with a whirlwind of activities. Many of us felt a swell of emotions--first confusion, then shock, and finally outrage--after getting we got our ID pictures taken? I'm sure the campus police are great people, but we're not here for mug shots! No one was told when or if to smile. Even if some students were fortunate enough to be smiling at the right moment, they're heads either looked too big or they looked like they were about to fall out of their seats. Fortunately, we learned the art of deep breathing, deep relaxation, and "breath of fire" to calm ourselves from Debbie Quinn. Emotions continued to subside when we tried on and modeled white coats. Looking pretty sharp, many students were reluctant to take off the jacket even after figuring out their sizes. One student, so impressed with his looks, actually walked off with one the jackets. The day then ended with activities fair further lifting our spirits as we stocked up on freebies (FREEBIES!!) from the various clubs present. The Creative corner, in particular, attracted many students with fresh fruits, colored clay, and a number of, errr..well, creative clubs.
The last day of orientation began with a healthy breakfast to remind us to always take good care of ourselves while in school and in the future. We then attended the "Communications in Multi-cultural Society" presentation learning how to effectively provide care for our patient while in school and in the future. Although things we talked about and watched seemed obvious or somewhat comical, we were all reminded that in today's diverse society we cannot simply provide cookie cutter style care. Each person is an individual in personality and in culture. Our awareness and effort to treat each patient with a personal touch is the key to effective care.
We then shifted gears and headed out into Boston for a scavenger hunt. Hampered by a lack of digital cameras and unsynchronized start and stop times, many groups were unable to gather enough points to compete. But none of us are resentful that group 20 won. No, we don't really think that their early start and late return had anything to do with their winning. Nope. They totally deserved it.
Orientation then officially came to an end with the riotous M'07/Faculty Variety Show. Granted we first years had no idea who was who and what was going on, most of us laughed hard enough to cry. Who could've guessed scrubs could be so fashionable? Or that Dr. Kneeland really does have a thick Bawston accent and drinks Cokes like water? (That could only mean Dr. El-bermani really is a mad man!) While we were still laughing at the impressions of the faculty, we suddenly found ourselves the butt of an M'07 practical joke. Under the guise of an intro to clinical diagnosis presentation, several M'07 lured approximately 20 M'08 to a classroom and taped the session. Things started out pretty normal with demonstrations on using equipment and on performing different types of exams. However, things got a little strange when the topic switched to rectal exams and a "first year" volunteered to be examined. The fun really began when the "first-year" returned in his Johnny, slipped off his boxers, and "endured" the examination. Faces made by the "first year" were classic. Faces and expressions made by the un-suspecting real first years were priceless. No one seemed to know whether to laugh, cry, or run away. And then of course, they found out they got punk'd. And caught on video. And laughed at by many other M'07 and the rest of the M'08 class. What a way to be initiated into Tufts University School of Medicine.
But all that matters is that, WE MADE IT! WOHOO!! Welcome TUSM class of 2008!!