Missionary Orthopod in the Making

Today is my first day of medical school orientation! I’ll tell you all about it tonight!
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So today was my first day of orientation and the best way I can describe it is INFORMATION OVERLOAD. Not in a scary way, but just every god given department that Loma Linda had, had a part in the program today, so it kind of dragged along. The breakdown for the day was (with short descriptions):

8 a.m.- Welcome and Devotional by Dean of Admissions
The Dean of Admissions started off by giving us a breakdown of what the class make up was, like how many were married, the variety of research projects, the different countries, the awards, etcetera. I think I came too late to hear the devotional, so all I caught was this part.
8:15 a.m.- Dean’s Welcome by the Dean of the Medical School
Dr. Hadley, our Dean of Admissions came up and had a little powerpoint presentation basically telling us more about him, Loma Linda, and what is expected of us especially after we get our white coat. I began to truly feel a sense of responsibility as he described the trust that people instill in you when they hear you are a doctor. I learned that I truly need to maintain that trust and never betray it.
8:40 a.m.-School of Medicine Programs and Policies: Some Things You should Know
The Dean for Student Affairs basically went through all of the rules, policies, and regulations for the school, including mandatory chapel attendance. I don’t really mind it because ALL Adventist schools have mandatory chapels, from Kindergarten to college. This section kind of dragged on simply because he had to give us all of the information; but I guess every school has to go through this, so I can’t be too mad.
9:20 a.m.- LLU Organizations
-AMA/CMA/SBCMS Student Chapter
-American Medical Student Assocation (AMSA)
– Christian Medical/Dental Association (CMDA)
-Healthy Neighborhoods Project
-Junior Medical Auxiliary
-Macpherson Society Summer Research Scholarships
– Medical Strategic Network (METS)
– STATS
This section was actually pretty cool because each group got to describe themselves to us. I actually saw pretty quickly that I wouldn’t be interested in the AMA, AMSA, CMA and other groups like it. Although these groups would be great clubs to put on my residency application, I’m just not interested in playing an integral role in clubs like I was in college. If I joined any group it would probably be the SNMA chapter and the CMDA because they have missions that I actually care about in this phase of my life.
10 a.m.- Deferred Mission Appointee Program
I was so excited to see this on the program because this is the program that I came to LLU for, that allows you to become a medical missionary while your medical school debt is paid off. I DEFINITELY plan to apply to this program and I really hope I can make the grades during the first quarter to be accepted into the program.
10:05 a.m.- Sophomore Class Presentation: First year Sucess Guide
I haven’t had a chance to read the survival guide book that the sophomore class passed out, but from a quick glance through it seemed like it was extremely helpful. It had lots of advice about how to attack each class and each teacher, and how study. I’m glad that the sophomores decided to reach back and help us out.
10:10 a.m.- Break
10:25 a.m.- Blackboard Information Systeems and Informatics Workshop
Basicaly we learned how to access the campus wide wireless network, and how to log into our blackboard accounts.
10:35 a.m.- Class Picture
We went outside and stood in front of the medical schools while the photographer photographed the whole class from the balcony at the top of the medical school. We actually took this picture before the Blackboard Information Systems session because the fire alarm went off and everyone had to evacuate the medical school. Since we were already outside they decided to just go ahead and take the picture.
11:05 a.m. – LLU Services- Student Affiars
More school policy was presented here.
12 noon- Lunch and Information booths
This time was really great; we had some great vegetarian food, and I got to meet more of my classmates. Also all the clubs and organizations on the campus had booths where we got alot of free stuff.
1:20 p.m.- Welch Allyn Equipment
This is where we signed up to get our equipment for our Patient Diagnosis class. We get a opthalmoscope/otoscope (I really don’t know the name of it) and some other stuff. The cool thing is that we get both the Panoptic and the normal heads all for $730 which isn’t too bad at all.
1:30 p.m.- Alumni Welcome
1:35 p.m.- Financial Aid
2:15 p.m.- Registration
3:30 p.m.- Campus Tours
6:00 p.m.- Alumni ASsociation Pinic

As you can see, the day was absolutely packed with information, but they gave us these great little tote bags, and they had a booth section where different clubs and organizations trying to recruit you gave away free stuff, which was great. I was kind of tricked though, because yesterday, a teacher told me that I don’t need to come dressed up today; only for my white coat ceremony tomorrow. Well today, every guy I saw except me had an oxford shirt on and dress pants, so of course DoctaJay had to be the odd ball out. I was embarassed at first, but then I didn’t care cause I hate ties anyway.

Overall, my class is mostly white, but thats normal. There are alot more minorities in the class than normal; at least 13, which is great. Everyone seems really excited about starting school, and I’m right along with them. Tomorrow we have more preliminary sessions and then at 7 p.m. we get our white coats, so I’ll try to post as many pictures and maybe even a video of it tomorrow. Take care!