OUM U.S.A Graduate Profile: Dr Wendy Chen

Dr Wendy Chen

Graduate Class of 2017, USA.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in a small town in Texas and grew up in a small farming community in Missouri I lived in Houston, Texas, for about 10 years before I moved to Chicago, Illinois, for residency I live in Chicago with my husband and cat. My cat’s name is Dakota, his nickname is The Prince of Darkness.

Prior to studying at OUM, what was your educational background?

I got into a US med school right out of high school It was a 6 yr program, where you get your undergrad degree and an MD in six years instead of eight. Unfortunately, I had to leave in my 3rd year due to my mom getting sick. I later earned an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy and worked in massage therapy and tissue procurement before starting at OUM.

Prior to studying at OUM, what was your working background?

I started working in my dad’s doctor’s office, when I was around 12 years old, doing clerical and environment work; later I performed clinical tasks, including triage/vitals, injections, and assisting during procedures I continued to work in his office, on and off, until I moved to Texas For about 6 years, I worked casually as a resident summer camp counsellor. Before joining OUM I was working full-time as a massage therapist and tissue procurement technician, mainly in eye tissue; I later continued this profession on a casual basis to help pay for my studies at OUM, during my system-based modules.

Do you think your prior background aided you studying a Doctor of Medicine (MD)?

I think it helped with concepts and culture, but the actual studying required practice, trial and error, and finding out how others did it.

You founded the OUMSA with a group of OUM medical students. Can you tell us what motivated you to do this?

- To provide an environment that supports the learning and creative ideas of physicians-in training.

-, To promote, encourage, and maintain a cohesive relationship within the chapter, faculty, and the student body at OUM.

- To become an active part in changing the medical education process and making it more responsive to the needs of the students and society that they will serve.

Being a medical student anywhere can be very isolating, but especially with online training It’s nice to be in the company of others who are, just like you, struggling to learn and study It can be very validating to know that other people are struggling with the same information, professor, or test that you are.

So, the OUMSA was created to be a place to connect, a place to find a study partner, a place to encourage each other. A place to informally learn about healthcare in other parts of the world It was also created to give students a voice within the university - A voice that was louder and demanded more attention than a single student.

Tell us about your experience with USMLE examinations?

At the recommendation of some of my professors, I took a Kaplan course at one of their centers It included videos, question banks, and a textbook for each system I studied at Kaplan for about nine months, and then took an intensive in person review course, in Kansas City, and then sat my examination immediately after For Step 2, I used the Kaplan books and USMLE test bank I studied for Step 2 all the way through my hospital rotations. I took an in-person review course and sat the USMLE Step 2 immediately after I passed all three steps on the first try.

Is there anything that you would recommend, for students and future graduates, that would enhance their performance in USMLE?

Yes, start studying for it now. You need to know how you learn, how you memorize, and what happens when you get stressed You need to use these things to your advantage as you study and prepare for the exam. Six months prior to your exam, you should be setting aside time to study every day.

Where did you do your internship (PGY1), and how did you secure this position?

I did my internship at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, in Internal Medicine During one of my hospital rotations, in Chicago, I talked with the residents about programs that were "International Graduate friendly." So, I applied to three Chicago based programs, and I received invitations for interviews at two of the programs.

What did you find the most rewarding during your intern/post intern years?

Many times, when a patient comes into the hospital, it’s the worst day they’ve ever had, and as a physician I have permission to be there to support them medically and emotionally It’s rewarding to know that you’re making your patients' lives better.

What did you find the most challenging?

I struggled to remember all the steps I needed to take for admitting a patient, discharging a patient, including what needed to be done in the electronic medical record, the communication with my medical team, and patient education. It was a steep, daunting learning curve.

Where did you undertake post intern years?

I stayed in the same program for PGY 1-3. I was a Chief Resident at West Suburban Hospital (an Internal Medicine residency program in a suburb of Chicago) for my PGY4 year I then applied and was accepted into a geriatric fellowship at the University of Chicago for my PGY5 year.

What are your plans for the future?

In the future, I may pursue further training in academic teaching or/and quality improvement and safety.

Would you recommend OUM to potential students?

Yes, if it wasn’t for OUM I wouldn’t have been able to go to medical school when I did. OUM allows you to become a doctor, and practice in your home country It allows more flexibility in your work and study It is NOT a shortcut, you still have to study just as hard, and I don’t believe that it’s easier than in-person medical school. It has different advantages and obstacles.

OUM hosts an annual student conference, is this something that you would recommend students attend?

YES!! It’s really cool to meet people in person, especially if you’ve been interacting with them online for months or even years It’s so exciting to see students graduate I always found it reenergizing.

What advice would you like to give to those reading this issue?

Medicine is hard; know that there is always someone else struggling to study, just like you. Reach out and stay connected to fellow medical students Remember to take time to recharge and find something that helps make you whole

Reach out and stay connected.