Pediatric Neurosurgery

To say this past week has been stressful would be slightly euphemistic. As Research Showcase is coming up in a matter of a few days, it has been quite busy. Between making sure that everything is aligned correctly on our board to checking to verify that the fonts and sizings are consistent throughout our portfolios to having an appropriate table cloth, it seems that the list of things to do is never getting shorter. Nonetheless, I am really excited for Tuesday night. It will be awesome to finally get a chance to share with friends and family exactly what we have accomplished these past few months in ISM.
One thing I have learned through this is that, in regards to ISM, I should always allot myself more time than I thought I initially needed. Considering the fact that my display board took well over 5 hours, it is safe to say that professionalism and neatness comes at a cost. But, in the end, I am proud of what I created.
Although my mentor will not be able to come to Research Showcase, I am planning on meeting with him this coming Friday. One of the two big projects I need to accomplish throughout the course of this year is Original Work. When I had talked to Dr. Weprin on the phone, he had suggested doing a study on the cases of hydrocephalus and their correlation to certain demographics, such as abused children or children with brain tumors. Initially, I had wanted to do something related to hydrocephalus, but I had never thought about the perspective that Dr. Weprin had suggested. Hopefully when I meet with him on Friday, we will be able to decide on a concrete idea.

Current Display Board

Regarding my mentorship, this past week has been mainly a waiting period. Between emailing my mentor and taking care of other logistical matters, I am in the process of setting up my first mentor visit. It is interesting because we spend the first few months talking about getting a mentor but it always seemed to be a thing of the future but now that it is actually happening, I am quite excited.

Earlier on this week, I had decided that I was going to wait to ask for a mentorship until I had heard from a pediatric neurosurgeon that had just recently reached out to me. However, it is safe to say that patience is not my forte. By the time Wednesday rolled around, I was getting anxious as I had still not heard a reply. I already had in mind a doctor that I wanted to ask to be my mentor and I realized that the longer I waited, the harder it would be to ask for a mentorship. So, on Thursday I decided to go ahead and send the mentorship request email. To be quite honest, I put my expectations low. It is not uncommon for students to have one or two rejections before finding their mentor; in fact, it is quite uncommon for the first person a student asks to be their mentor to say yes. Considering all this and the fact that pediatric neurosurgeons are extremely busy, I was not entirely optimistic.
I sent the email Thursday afternoon around 3 PM, and was not expecting a reply until next week. However, much to my surprise, I received an email Friday morning. Now, when the notification for the email popped up all I could see was "I'm sorry I am unable to..." Immediately my heart dropped and I was crushed. However, after I actually opened up my email I realized that the full message read "I'm sorry I am unable to make it on December 16th, but I would love to be your mentor." I received this email in the middle of my history class and I can say, without shame, that I started doing a little dance. Considering the fact that I was expecting a no, actually receiving a yes was extremely exciting. As of now, my mentor and I are still working out the details concerning what I will be able to do and experience. Nonetheless, I cannot wait for all that is yet to come.

This past week, I gave a 10 minute speech regarding what I have accomplished these past 10 weeks in ISM. For me, this was a huge learning experience. Typically, I am not that uncomfortable speaking in front of people...so long as I know exactly what I am talking about. However, with this particular speech, I had difficulty in organizing my thoughts in a cohesive and comprehendible manner. There was such a vast amount of information I needed to cover and no clear way in which to connect them all in a logical manner. Looking back upon how I spoke, there are some evident issues that I plan on fixing. For starters, I need to have a better understanding of what I am going to say and how I am going to convey that message to the audience. I realized that often times, the people who I am talking to may not be interested in my topic of study or simple not understand what I am trying to say. Because of that, I need to be able to speak in an engaging and simplistic manner that both captivates and informs listeners. Another thing I need to work on is endurance. Although I started off my speech with a good energy and eye contact, as time progressed, I visibly lost enthusiasm and connection with the audience. For future speeches, I hope to be able to maintain a good energy so as to keep the attention of all those listening. 

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Bradley Weprin. To read more about my interview with him, click here.

Conjoined twins are two babies that are born physically connected to one another as a result of an early embryo partially separating to form two individuals.

To read my analysis about the surgical procedure that separates craniopagus twins, click here.

As many interviews that I have gone on, I can confidently say that those with actual pediatric neurosurgeons were the most fulfilling. That is not to say that those with neurosurgeons or pediatric neurologists were bad. However, to finally be able to talk with a doctor that fit what my specific topic of study is just reignited my passion for the field. This past week I had two interviews, both of whom were pediatric neurosurgeons.
My first interview took place at Children's Health and was with the director of pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Brad Weprin.  One of the most interesting things about this interview dealt with what I was able to learn about the most common pediatric neurological disorder - hydrocephalus, the build of cerebral spinal fluid. About 5 minutes into our discussion about hydrocephalus and the possible treatment plans, Dr. Weprin arose from his desk physically handed me an actual shunt that is used in surgeries and was able to lead me through a basic overview of what occurs during the surgical procedure that fixes this disorder. For me personally this was a very unique learning experience because instead of just hearing the word "shunt," I was able to tangibly understand and visualize it.
My second interview was at Cook's Childrens with Dr. Donahue who has been in practice for well over 30 years. Being a sage and wise individual, my interview with him was very informative. He initially inquired about me and how I became interested in the specific career of pediatric neurosurgery. He then relayed to me his own personal story of how he was drawn to this particular field. More so than what he was able to tell me, I was drawn to his affectionate and charismatic personality. As we were walking to our interview location, he introduced me to many other employees and I could immediately tell that he was a well-known and respected individual in the hospital. In this way, he seemed like a very grandfatherly person who would potentially be a very influential mentor.
This upcoming week, I hope to further reflect upon my interviews and formally ask one of three pediatric neurosurgeons to be my mentor for the upcoming year. In addition, I am going to give a 10 to 12 minute presentation that will summarize all that I have accomplished and learned in the past 9 weeks of ISM.

An epileptic seizure is a sudden and temporary occurrence of physical signs and/or symptoms that result from abnormal brain activity. There are various types of seizures as well as many treatment options.

To read my analysis about the risks and various treatment options associated epileptic seizures, click here.

In addition to the usual research assessments, this week we focused on writing our first interview assessment as well as creating a rough draft of our display board. For me, writing the interview assessment was beneficial because it forced me to reminisce back upon my interview and remember the details of what was discussed. However, more than remembering the details or information I was able to absorb, I found myself remembering character traits of the individual doctor. Ultimately, through these reflections I will be able to narrow it down to a few doctors who I think will best be suitable for me as a mentor.

Through my Independent Study and Mentorship course this year, I would like to learn more about the medical field, particularly the field of pediatric neurosurgery. In addition to gaining exposure to the general lifestyle of a pediatric neurosurgeon, I will focus on the relationships established between pediatric neurosurgeons and their patients, the dynamics of the operating room, and the challenges and rewards presented by this specialized field.

All my life, I have enjoyed being around children. For the past three years, I have volunteered with children on a weekly basis every Wednesday night at a local church program known as Approved Workmen are Not Ashamed (AWANA). Despite the business and demands of high school life, I can honestly say that this is the highlight of my week. Unlike adults who are often preoccupied with the stresses and responsibilities that accompany everyday life, children truly know how to enjoy each moment and have such a worry-free mindset. Along the same thought, when a child is sick, they are robbed of that carefree mentality. Childhood is meant to be enjoyed and to be filled with laughter and smiles. But when a child is facing a terminal illness, there are no laughter or smiles. It truly is my ardor and joy to put that smile back on a child's face.

However, pediatric neurosurgery is not just about children; there is also a medical component. My interest in medicine began at a very early age. On my 7th birthday, I remember opening my presents and finding a doctors kit. Being a young girl who loved dolls and playing pretend, this was not the gift that I had been anticipating. Nonetheless, it was in that pivotal moment that I began to fall in love with the field of medicine. Simple as it may have been, the doctor’s kit I received that year instilled in me a genuine passion for medical field as it allowed me to realize that I could combine the fascinating world of science with the rewarding acts of helping others.

Fortunately or unfortunately, not every individual is suited to be a pediatric neurosurgeon as it is a very difficult career path. However, personally speaking, I enjoy the challenges it brings. I am not the kind of individual who shies away from obstacles, but rather one who prefer to tackle them head on. I understand that pediatric neurosurgery is emotionally draining, time-consuming, and requiring of many sacrifices. But compared to the ultimate joy and reward of seeing a child smile again, these seem like minimal prices to pay. Furthermore, I absolutely love to learn, particularly in a real-world setting. Although textbook based learning is very informative, kinesthetic learning is much more efficient and effective – an aptitude possessed by many skilled surgeons. Finally, I am a naturally curious and inquisitive person. The brain is essentially a black box and thus presents a vast amount of unknown, unmarked and undiscovered territories. There is not a single individual in the entire world who completely and thoroughly understands the brain and its complexities. To many this kind of ambiguity is intimidating, but to me, it is compelling and intriguing in the sense that I am excited about potentially discovering more information about the underlying connections within the nervous system. All in all, I truly believe that my assiduous personality, tendency to absorb as much information as I can, and natural curiosity will ultimately culminate in such a manner that more than adequately equips me for a career as a successful pediatric neurosurgeon.

This past week I had two very contrasting interviews. The first one took place early in the week and was with the Chief of Surgery at UT Southwestern. To be frank, I was slightly nervous for the interview considering this doctor's status and reputation. The interview did not start off as well as I would have liked. I would ask a question and he would answer with as little elaboration as possible. The long pauses of silence were awkward and it seemed he would rather be anywhere but there. However, I kept pushing for answers. At one point, he turned around me and challenged me with a question to which I did not know the answer. Although I was initially stunned for a moment, I realized something extremely important - as far as a mentorship is concerned, I need someone who is going to push me to the limit and ask me questions that I do not know the answer to. From there on, the interview went splendidly. The subtle sarcasm and witty retorts kept the interview itself interesting. It was interesting to note that this doctor had initially planned to be a pediatric neurosurgeon but decided to become a general neurosurgeon primarily because of the greater variety of surgical procedures. It had only been about thirty minutes before he had to leave for a business meeting and I was sad to cut the interview short. Beyond just gaining knowledge about the field of neurosurgery, I learned more about myself and what I needed in a potential mentor.

Later in the week, I had an interview with a very opinionated pediatric neurologist. Just based on the fact that this interview was twice as long as any of my other interviews, it is safe to say that this doctor had a lot to say. One thing I took away from this interview is that different doctors have very different opinions on the same matter. For example, this particular doctor was extremely opposed to ObamaCare and felt that doctors needs to be paid more. For him, money seemed to be a big motivator. Personally, I feel that when in such a career as medicine, it cannot be for just the money. You have to have a genuine passion and love for the field otherwise the numerous sacrifices and challenges will not be worth it.

In addition to these two interviews, I focused on writing my topic proposal. We have spend the last 8 weeks or so researching and scheduling interviews, and so the topic proposal allowed us to formalize into words exactly what we were expecting to gain out of this year. For me, this assignment opened my eyes up to the greater picture in a sense. It forced me to analyze why I was passionate about this field, why I was suitable for this career, and why I wanted to have this opportunity.

This coming week, I have an interview with a pediatric neurosurgeon. In addition, I plan on writing interview assessments for past interviews and writing thank you cards. I am also starting to think about possible ideas for my display board and portfolio cover.

The human body is innately run by a phenomenon known as the circadian rhythm, a 24 hour cycle in the physiological processes of living beings.

To read my analysis about the Circadian Cycle and its impact on the human body, click here.

Business Symposium presented a unique opportunity for high school students to interact and converse with business professionals in a semi-formal setting. It was comprised of a networking session in which students and professionals casually conversed with one another and an interviewing component in which business professionals conducted mock job interviews with the students. The event in its entirety allowed students to practice professionalism and answer interview questions effectively and efficiently.

During the networking session, I was able to interact with various professionals. Under normal circumstances, I am not the kind of individual who goes up to strangers and initiates a conversation. The weeks leading up to this event, we had practiced how to give a proper handshaked, introduce oneself and carry a conversation, but this was all done with peers. Business Symposium was an entirely different context and although we had the basic skills to talk to these professionals, it was still intimidating on many levels. Although I was not able to talk to many medical professionals, I still was able to gain valuable insight and information as a result of this networking time. As ISM is a career specific class, often times we limit our knowledge to our own field but this experience showed me that there are many other interesting career choices out there. One thing I gained specifically from this networking period is confidence. When one is in a situation in which he or she has no choice but to go up and converse with random strangers, a new sense of determination is discovered. More often than not, this courage is simply lying dormant within every individual and it is just a matter of finding that boldness and recognizing that one is capable of doing such a terrifying thing such as talking to business professionals. As a result of this experience, I can say that I am more confident in who I am because now I know that despite being just a high schooler, I am still more than able to carry an intelligible and meaningful conversation with almost anyone I encounter.

The other portion of the Business Symposium consisted of three mock interviews from three different professionals. My first interview was with a manager of a veterinary clinic. The interview itself was rather informal, and more of a conversation than an actual interview. The lady who questioned me shared with me what her job entailed and advised me to make sure that my social networking sites did not contain anything that would give me a negative image. The second lady that interviewed me was a retired actuary. Initially she critiqued my resume and gave me positive feedback as well as possible things I might consider changing. She asked me a few questions about myself and the field that I wanted to study. At the end of the interview she made a comment about how doctors needed to not only be book smart, but also socially smart and that based off of the way I had presented myself through the interview, she felt that I had good balance of both. My final interview was with a sales representative from Grande Communications. Although he seemed a little intimidating and gruff, my interview with him was actually quite pleasant. He was intrigued by my particular topic of study and asked me questions concerning my interest in it. His one main comment was that in my answers I often addressed any follow up questions he might have had. Whether this is a good thing or a bad, I am not quite sure. Personally, I think he was suggesting that I need to find a balance between not elaborating and elaborating too much when it comes to answering questions. Thinking back upon the interview portion of Business Symposium, I feel that the greatest benefit to me individually was being able to practice answering questions. Often times, interviewers will ask random and unexpected questions. One must be able to answer the question, no matter how absurd, in a cohesive and appropriate manner.

All in all, the Business Symposium was an experience that allowed me to grow as an individual. It gave me the opportunity to gain confidence in myself and practice carrying myself in a professional manner. In another sense, it taught me how to keep a conversation going no matter how uninterested or uninformed I may have be about the topic. Furthermore, it showed me the importance of answering interview questions promptly and thoroughly. Business Symposium as a whole taught me how to market and present myself appropriately in a manner that is geared towards whoever I may be interacting with.

This past week has been incredibly fulfilling. On Tuesday, I interviewed my first pediatric neurosurgeon, and it is safe to say that I was absolutely amazed. Prior to this I had been on an interview with a general neurosurgeon and although that interview went well, it was not nearly as gratifying or as memorable as the one I had with the pediatric neurosurgeon. I think the primary differences between the two lies in the atmosphere of the hospital and the attitudes of the staff. The moment I walked into the hospital, I was amazed about how it did not look like a hospital. Rather, it felt like I was walking into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The walls were painted with bright colors and there were cheerful images all around. From the signs directing people places to go to the interiors of the elevators, everything was designed specifically with children in mind. As far as the actual interview is concerned, I was intrigued by the fact that those who work in pediatrics have an entirely different personality. Generally speaking, they are more empathetic and optimistic than neurosurgeons. Pediatric neurosurgeons have to develop relationships not only with the patient but with the entire family, and as such, it can be more emotionally wearing on an individual. You would think that after a long day of stressful work, the pediatric neurosurgeon would have been tired and drained; but, it was  quite the opposite. I was greeted by a cheerful and energetic smile, eager to answer any questions I had. Coming out of the interview, the main thing I have learned is that, whether it be neurology or neurosurgery, my topic of study this year must include pediatrics.

Another major event that occurred this week was Business Symposium. We had been preparing for this day from the first day of school itself, but nonetheless I was nervous. I am not the kind of individual who goes up to random strangers, introduces himself or herself, and starts a conversation. Although the first few times I introduced myself to people I was a little shy, it became easier and I began to gain confidence. During the networking period, I went around and talked to many different professionals and despite the fact that none were directly involved in the medical field, it was interesting to learn a little bit about the different career paths that are out there. Following this, I was interviewed by three different professionals. As a result of these interviews, I was able to practice answering questions effectively and efficiently without babbling too much. I also received feedback on my resume and composure as a whole. All in all, there are many things that I learned through Business Symposium that will help me be more successful throughout the year.

This upcoming week, I have an interview scheduled with a general neurosurgeon. I am looking forward to this interview because this particular individual also deals with the business side of the hospital and it will be interesting to see this aspect of a career in the medical field. I also plan on finishing up my topic proposal for this year, as well as any other assessments.

As more and more weeks go by, the more excited I become for this journey. It seems that every day, the fact that I am eventually going to have a mentor and gain actual experience in the field of neurosurgery becomes more and more real and words cannot adequately describe my emotions.

We finally received the okay to start making phone calls and scheduling interviews. Initially I was pretty nervous. Sending an email was not too difficult; it was moreover the actual act of picking up a phone, dialing a number, and talking to another person that was intimidating to me. However, after the first call, it became easier. It is sometimes difficult when the person on the other end of the line is quiet and non responsive. Particularly with doctors' secretaries, they are not accustomed to getting such a phone call and often times they are unsure of how to respond. It is important that I do not let conversation just stall and keep it moving along. I tried contacting doctors at UT Southwestern and Cooks Children's Hospital. In addition to making these phone calls, I emailed several pediatric neurosurgeons and neurologists. Although some replied back enthusiastically, I realize that doctors lead extremely busy lives and it is very difficult to schedule research interviews with them. Nonetheless, I already have my 1st interview scheduled and am going to work diligently to get more interviews in the weeks to come.

One other thing I focused on this past week was shaking the hands of all the Assistant Principals and the Principal and introducing myself to them. Other than this past week, I do not think I have ever even talked to these individuals who play such a crucial role in making sure our school runs smoothly. It was interesting getting to talk to them and although it was somewhat nerve-racking to go up to them, they were all sociable and kind. The biggest thing I have learned is that once you make that first step to go and say hi, the rest will come easily and naturally.

After completing my first research assessment, I realized how vast the field of pediatric neurosurgery is. There are so many different types of neurological disorders and diseases and each one typically has many treatment options. Because of this, doctors have to stay on top of the latest scientific findings so that they are able to diagnose and treat their patients to the best of their ability. There is such an immense amount of knowledge to obtain and this realization only makes me more eager for the year ahead. However, before I can truly begin this journey, I must first develop some necessary skills.

This past week we focused on being able to properly compose and carry ourselves. We practiced handshakes and introductions. One thing I have learned is that a smile goes a very long way. We also held mock phone interviews as well as personal interviews. Through these exercises I was able to train myself to think one step ahead, so to speak. For example, during the mock interviews, I realized that it is imperative that I start formulating an answer in my head as soon as the interviewer starts asking his/her question. In interviews especially it is extremely important that I do not stumble over my words or pause for an extended period of time. By using the skills I learned this past week, I feel confident that I will do well going into any interview in the future.

This upcoming week, I plan on calling and emailing pediatric neurosurgeons and hopefully scheduling some research interviews. However before I go on any professional visits, I need to finalize my resume and also do a little bit more research on the common neurological disorders found amongst children.

   
 This past week was mainly focused on preparing for our Business Symposium and future interviews. Besides learning how to properly shake another person's hand, we learned the basics of professional dress and etiquette. The most beneficial lesson I learned from last was how to appropriately and effectively answer interview questions. Now although this seems somewhat silly, I did not realize until now how important interviews are. It gives people a chance to show how well they interact with others but more so than that, there are many subtle aspects of what occurs during an interview that can reveal a person's true character.One lesson I learned is the importance of body language. The way in which one carries themselves reveals a lot about their confidence as well as their maturity.  As a personal goal, from now on, I am going to be conscious about how I compose my answers when asked a question.

     One other major task I accomplished was finalizing my list of contacts. Initially I struggled with this assignment because within the Dallas Fort-Worth metroplex, there are only about five pediatric neurosurgeons. Therefore, I had to broaden my field. I knew between pediatrics and neurosurgery, I was more passionate about pediatrics and so I decided to find some pediatric neurologists. However, because I did want to keep an open mind, I also gathered some neurosurgeon contact information.

     This coming week, I plan on polishing up my resume and finishing my first research assessment. As I have a list of about 25 physicians, I hope that throughout this week I will start sending out emails and making phone calls.

     Sometimes going into a career without knowing any information whatsoever can be intimidating. I wanted to learn the basics of Pediatric Neurosurgery and what this field entailed.  This is what I learned.

• At least 4 years of medical school
• One year of surgical internship
• Five or more years of residency training in neurological surgery
• Additional training in pediatric neurosurgery
• Certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery (ABPNS)

• Treat children from the newborn period through the teenage years
• Diagnose, treat, and manage children’s nervous system problems and head and spinal deformities
• Perform surgery on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves to remove tumors, relieve chronic pain and treat wounds, vascular disorders and diseases
• Interpret results of diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, CT scans and PET scans

• <5 years experience = $411, 038
• 10 – 19 years experience = $501, 276
• 20+ years experience = $544, 961

• Brain Tumors: Almost 2,000 children are diagnosed every year
• Medulloblastomas - malignant tumors of the central nervous system starting in the cerebellum
• Astrocytomas – originate in the essential cell of the brain, the astrocyte cells
• Craniopharyngiomas – occurring near the pituitary gland
• Vascular Abnormalities:
• Aneurysms – microsurgical clipping, endovascular coiling
• Arteriovenous malformations – microsurgical resection, stereotactic radiotherapy, endovascular embolization
• Moyamoya – microsurgical pial synangiosis, microsurgical extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery, microsurgical encephaloduromyosynagiosis (EDMS), microsurgical encephaloduroarteriosynagiosis (EDAS).
• Craniosynostosis: A condition in which the sutures close the bone plates of the skull too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth.
• Calvarial vault remodelling
• Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery

• John Hopkins: hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, achondroplasia, epilepsy, tumors
• University of Utah: Cannibidiol (CBD) – pediatric neurology, epilepsy

• American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons: It founded in January of 1978 by eighteen North American neurosurgeons. Its primary purpose is to improve the neurosurgical care of the children by advancing and advocating the specialty of Pediatric Neurosurgery. This organization is committed to discovering, defining and delivering the best care for patients with pediatric neurosurgical disease regardless of their age
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons – Pediatric Neurosurgery Section: It is a faction of AANS/CNS that originated as a means to promote, honor and serve pediatric neurosurgeons. It focuses on enhancing and assuring the advancement of the subspecialty of pediatric neurosurgery, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, and advancing education, research, and patient care.
• Pediatric Neurosurgery Journal
• Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics (AANS)
• Pediatric Neurology Journal

• Pediatrics – Deals with newborns to adolescents in a general field; no speciality
• Neurosurgery – Includes brain, spinal cord, and nervous system but does not focus on children
• Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon – Focuses on the heart and its functions; limited to children

• Dr. Ben Carson – accredited with being the surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head. Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Hospital.

1. What are some of the challenges that are unique to this particular specialty?
2. How does working with children differ from working with adults?
3. What is key to becoming a successful pediatric neurosurgeon?
4. How is this field planning to evolve/change/adapt in the years to come?
5. What does a typical day/week entail?

     Walking into my ISM class the first day of school, I can clearly remember the plethora of emotions running through my mind. I was worried, excited, nervous, curious, and scared. I had absolutely no idea what to expect of the journey I was about to embark upon. However, I can confidently say that over the course of the last two weeks, any fear or doubt that may have been in my mind have been replaced with a strong desire to succeed. 

     The second day of class itself, we were all required to give a speech. Under normal circumstances, I am actually quite comfortable with public speaking. But this was a different scenario. As I was waiting anxiously in my seat, I remember hoping that I would not walk up there, forget everything and make a complete fool of myself in front of all my peers. I was expecting an intimidating and harsh audience. But what I received was the exact opposite. Every single one of my peers listened attentively, and gave me positive feedback and constructive criticism. Beyond the public speaking tips I gained through this particular exercise, I learned something even more valuable - that we are not in this alone. We have got an entire group of friends that are standing along beside us, rooting us on, making sure that at the end of this year, we accomplish our goals. I am ecstatic about this upcoming year and cannot wait to learn more about my topic of study, pediatric neurosurgery. More so than that though, I am excited about all the valuable skills I will learn from not only my mentor, but also my peers. 

     Although initially I was quite daunted by the amount of work and effort required, it is amazing to look back and see how much I have already accomplished. Over the past two weeks, I have chosen my quote of the year, written my mission statement, researched the basic information about pediatric neurosurgery and also set-up this blog. This upcoming week, I plan on finishing my resume,  polishing up my blog, as well as adding more contacts to my list of pediatric neurosurgeons.