Last Class Evar!!

     Let it be known that on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, I had my last final ever in my academic career. All that stands now between me and a PharmD are 7 rotations and a State and Federal Board exam. 3rd year is done baby and I couldn't be happier! I truly could not have done it all without the great support of Jayne and good friends to keep me sane. When we came to orientation in 2005, we were told that the 3rd year is when the curriculum all came together and after passing through it, I can truly say that it has. 

ISAT (Integrated Science and Therapeutics) I-IV broke everything down by disease state and said "Here's the condition, here's how it is diagnosed, here's how you treat it, here's how you monitor to see if your treatment is working or not." It was intense, it was frustrating at times, but overall, I learned so much and am excited to really put it into practice as I spend my whole 4th year on rotations at various sites. 

I haven't mentioned where I was assigned yet have I. Well here goes. Each rotation is 5 weeks long and goes from May 27, 2008-April 24, 2009. The sites are:

- Springfield Hospital Center - a psychiatric hospital up in Eldersburg. Casual dress (no white coats to spook the patients) and hours from 9-3. Nice!

- 5 week break

- Highline Medical Center in Seattle, WA. I wanted to see what the Northwest was like so I'm heading out there while Jayne and the kids visit family in Portland for a few of those weeks.

- Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore - don't really know much about this site currently.

- Pain Management/Hospice Care with Dr. McPherson. Great faculty member who is going to work my butt off. I'm expecting it to be tough but rewarding.

- Costco in Arundel Mills. I hear Costco is a great place to work in retail so if Kaiser (my current top career choice) doesn't pan out, they are next on my radar.

- Christmas Break from mid December to mid January

- TA for Fred Lab. This is the practice lab on campus where I will be assisting the lower classes in patient counseling and community practice techniques. Should be cool. 

- VA medical center. The VA system is also on my list of potential places to work so I am excited to get a taste of the system.

After all this, I just need my degree and then I can register to take the Boards. Sounds easy right! So here's to another great year and more experience in patient centered pharmaceutical care.