One of the most memorable talks from my research year was from Vivian Cheung - she described how she worked in a lab during medical school and developed this clear idea that she wanted to be a clinician-scientist. During residency, she sought out a lab. Despite the warnings of everyone who told her it was “a bad idea” to do bench research during a busy residency, she did it. She took on all the night shifts of her co-residents and worked in the lab during the day - no sleep - and by the end of residency, she accumulated a PhD’s worth of experience.
Her message was clear: ALWAYS aggressively work towards your goal. Don’t waste time, as time is your most valuable commodity. And try to get to your goal as quickly as possible.
So the question I ask myself is: what am I working towards? It’s ok to not know, but you must be working towards something. Here are a few ideas of things to work towards outside of the path I’m already on:
1. Entrepreneur: My father opened up his first hotel ten years after he completed fellowship. Despite having no ‘plans’ or formal training to go into business, his father, brother, and friends were all in business...it was a natural progression. 20 years later, it remains a major part of his life. As his skills and connections have improved, it’s easier and more lucrative. Medicine is a unique field in that it gives you a sizable amount of starting capital to work with. How can I move towards this? As I move locations, I need to learn how to evaluate real estate; rent out Chad’s room on AirBnB; become a landlord.
2. Immunologist: One of the most provocative ideas that the LI has is that AMD has autoimmune components - Il-17, Il-22, Il-23, complement dysfunction. In truth, every disease has elements of immunologic dysfunction. Yet, in ophthalmologist the immunology experts focus on a small subset of uveitic and transplantation-related diseases. There is a massive, untapped potential of investigating the immunology of glaucoma, retinal diseases, strabismus, etc. Why do steroids and uveitis cause glaucoma? AMD as a an autoimmune disease? Immunologic changes of DR, as it broadly relates to the immunology of diabetes? How can I move towards this? Learn to do good science. Work in the best labs. Volunteer myself. Learn attention to detail. Go to lab meetings. Dr. Bazan and Dr. Read are good places to start.
3. Writer: I have always enjoyed writing, but I’ve never been disciplined about it. Well-constructed, persuasive arguments are talents I’ve honed in college, yet I’ve largely abandoned. How can I move towards this? This blog is an attempt to start writing more frequently. As idea flow, I will develop more coherent opinions.
4. Global health: First went into ophthalmology inspired by cataract camps. Why can’t I be the force that tackles world blindness? How do I move towards this? Talk to people!! Moving towards this involves meetings
5. Consultant: A change from healthcare to larger scale interventions. This would be a great opportunity to (1) build my resume (2) make connections (3) learn skills to make large scale impacts in the health community.
6. Iphone app developer: See problems? Make apps (future post to come on potential apps?). Move towards this? Make an app during my time off!
