Hours A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MAXILLOFACIAL RESIDENT IN OHIO By Dr. Ryan Wallis, Chief resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC), Ohio, U.S.A.
I
finished dental school at The Ohio State University and then spent four years in the United States Air Force as a general dentist. After my military service I came back to my hometown for my residency at UCMC. In the United States, trainees are referred to as “residents” as they historically resided at the hospital.
Our program is a 4-year OMS residency with a total of 11 residents. The two fourth-year residents alternate weekly as Operating Room Chief and Clinic Chief. The O.R. Chief is also second resident on call for the entire week. Today is Wednesday, and I am O.R. Chief.
4:45 am
I wake up, shower, and don my scrubs. During my residency, I’ve learned to be very stealthy in the morning to avoid waking my wife at such an early hour. When I was an intern, she used to wake up momentarily when I kissed her goodbye. Now she doesn’t stir, but I kiss her anyway. I tiptoe through the house so I don’t disturb my four sleeping children ages ten, eight, six, and four. I grab a protein shake to drink in the car on the way to the hospital. I live about 15 miles away, which is farther than I’d like, but in the suburbs we have good schools and a house that fits our family.
6:00 am
Residents meet for morning rounds to check on patients who had surgery the day before. First year residents, or interns, have already pre-rounded to check vitals and overnight events. We see each patient with the attending surgeon. Wounds are inspected, diets advanced, and discharge plans made. 26 iaoms.org
July 2016