UCSF Inspired

Do you drink from public water fountains? I did, because I was convinced by my teachers that even the water that comes out of the shower is supposed to be safe to drink due to governmental regulations. WRONG! As a dutiful citizen, I sacrificed my winter break to do jury duty and was looking for some free water on the 11th floor of the LA Superior Court. I normally just drink the water right off the fountain but lucky for me, I happened to have an empty water bottle yesterday. Half way through with filling my bottle, what I saw in the bottle was not clear but yellow like the one that you would get from a river after a storm. Upon this experience, I informed the clerks in the jury assembly room. They told me that they got an email saying that the water fountains were not working because the plumbing system was down. I told them specifically what I saw and emphasized that it was hard to tell the water was yellow if people were just drinking from the fountain without a bottle. I think I also mentioned to them something about putting up a sign to alert people about it.

Guess what happened this morning? I went back to the same fountain and a lady was about to drink from it. I told her that the water was yellow yesterday and that she should inspect it before drinking. She turned it on and didn't see anything wrong so she drank from it. Afterwards, she decided to prove to me that the water was okay by adding some in her half-filled water bottle. Low and behold, her bottle of water turned yellow and she ended up throwing it away.

By this time, I was angry again at the lack of action taken by the clerks and so I paced back and forth while waiting to be called by the judge into the court room to continue the jury selection process. After a while, I decided to fill my empty bottle with the rust-filled water and once again confronted the jury assembly room clerks. When I went back there, the look on their faces told me what was on their minds: "Crap! That annoying spiky-haired girl is back with the same issue!" I could also detect a little Oops-I-got-caught-ignoring-someone's-concern thought in their heads, but they didn't look like they felt that guilty.

So I showed them what the water looked like and told them that it was a big public health problem if something was not done about it. They told me AGAIN that there was a plumbing problem and the water just started running again. "Goodness! Don't they understand that people are drinking from the fountain and the water is not safe!" I told them something must be done. I asked them who I should contact about this problem but they told me they were going to do something about it. Well, I hope they really did email the building manager like they said they would because I think by now, they know that I am not going to let this slide!

I know I should have handled the situation in a calmer manner, but I did let emotions get in the way even though I got the point across. I don't know if it was the grande latte from Starbucks or the heated encounter but I could not stand still. I paced up and down the hallway, still unconvinced that no one else will drink from the fountain before the problem gets resolved....if it ever does!

Then, an idea popped in my head. I went back to the trashcan where I had thrown the bottle of dirty water, filled it up and placed it beside that fountain. With a posted note pad and a permanent marker (yeah, I happened to have them in my purse!), I made several warning signs about drinking the filthy water. After observing for a while, I noticed some shocked faces as they noticed the signs and the water but no one got really angry like I did about it. The other jurors must have thought I was a lunatic for having such strong feelings about a minor thing. The man that I talked to about this issue just matter-of-factly said: "That's the county for you!"

Before going to UCSF, I might have let something like this go, but I must say, a quarter of immersion in an environment where change is valued and encouraged has ignited my spirit of initiation. Dr. Mike Winter's words, "It's not good enough to just learn how the system works. You must ask how good the system is," ring loud and clear in my ears. The system (LA county) obviously has a reputation for lagging in their responses to concerns, even when it comes to a public health hazard! However, as a citizen and a student in the health care setting, I cannot tolerate something that can jeopardize the public's safety. I will pursue this issue further when I go back to the court tomorrow.

Wow! That was fast!

Before I realized it, the first quarter of pharmacy school at UCSF is over! Time definitely flew by although the weekend before and the week during the exam was excruciatingly painful and long. In those ten days of intensive studying and test-taking, I wonder how much I have really learned, what I would remember, and whether they will be useful for my career as a pharmacist. I am beginning find test-taking and grades as time-wasters than actual learning. It would be great if we can all learn without the pressure of exams.

I tried hard to study in order to learn as opposed to studying for the exams, but I found myself doing the latter half of the time because I do not want to retake the classes. Although there are overlaps between the two (learning can occur while studying for exams), I really question the need for paper exams. My learning used to be driven by the pressure of exams. However, I now think the most important "exam" is being able to apply the concepts learned in class to real life clinical practice. I will probably forget 99.9% of what I have memorized for the final exams and midterms, but I will probably not forget the information that I have to know in order to provide excellent patient-care.

I am so glad the craziness and stress induced by exams are over...for a short while, at least.

Defeat: the Vicious Cycle

Alright, I am not proud to announce but this but I have to do it to get it off my chest and move on: I failed a basic pharmaceutical calculations quiz that required nothing beyond basic algebraic knowledge! There you have it! Isn't that stupid? I ended up having to retake it today and I don't think I made the 90% to pass it. Well, that means I will be taking it again next year to get rid of my incomplete grade in the class!
I never thought that I could be defeated in such an easy task!!! After all, math was my favorite subject in school and I aced all the math classes....oh, way back in yesteryears....What has gotten into my brain? Ever since I started pharmacy school, I feel like a bug has entered my brain, slowly eating away all my mathematical and scientific skills...I am slowly drowning into a sea of confusion with the information overload. I wish I will find a debugging method before the problem becomes more serious. What a disaster!
Could this problem have been resulted from a vicious cycle of defeat and negative thinking that further worsened it? I know I need to think positively to become more productive, but I find it hard to be the master of my mind lately. I even had bad dreams about the quiz last night! I seriously need to take control and gear my mind into the right direction!

Flu Shots at Walgreens

The long awaited day had finally arrived: I finally got to put my immunization skills to use this afternoon at the clinic in Potrero's Wallgreens store! As an added bonus, I found out yesterday that I could do a 2-hour shift because one of my classmate was not able to go. I was really excited and nervous at the same time in anticipation of the event.
The excitement came from the fact that I would be able to practice giving real flu shots and pneumococcal shots to REAL PATIENTS! Although we got to practice sticking needles into our classmate to inject saline, I messed up on the IM shot because I put the needle in with too much force...and hurt my partner as a result. I have been envisioning in my mind how I would put the needle in with enough speed but not use as much force as I did. I couldn't wait until I could dress up in my white coat and professional attire to put my immunization skills to use.
At the same time, I was also very anxious about the event. Even though I had researched and found out the best time to get on the shuttle so I could arrive on time, the possibilities of getting there late kept on popping up in my mind. It felt like the pharmacy interview day all over again! I was worried that I would ruin UCSF's reputation as well as mine if I did not get there as promised. Moreover, I feared that I would be so shaky and clumsy when giving patients the shots that I would end up hurting them.
The two hours surprisingly turned out to be very pleasant and satisfying! I gave a total of six flu shots and one pneumococcal shot. Our supervisor, Joel, was extremely friendly, understanding, and positive. He totally related with my nervousness and was very thorough in explaining all the details to me before my first shot. After the initial shots, he also gave me little hints on how to make the procedure go more smoothly. I felt confident after giving the third shot. Everything went very well without any major problems. Only one patient that I gave the shot to bled a little.
I feel that I have benefited a lot from this experience. First and foremost, it allowed me to get over my fear of handling needles and giving people shots. Secondly, it was very satisfying being able to see the trust that the public has in us, especially with the white coat on. I felt more respected by others with my white coat, not only during the administration of the shots, but also in the store and even on campus. The white coat magically conjured up a lot of reverence: I felt like I got first-class service when I bought an item at Walgreens, when I made appointment to see the doctor at the student's health office, and of course, when I gave the shot. I am thankful that those who have worn the white coat before me and who are currently wearing them right now have established a generally positive reputation with the public. As a future health care provider and a current student pharmacist who has the honor of wearing the white coat, I feel tremendous responsibility in maintaining that long-established trust and respect.

The Boring Part of Pharm School

My brain is fried from studying physical chemistry, a totally disgusting and repulsive subject that I hope to get past with a passing grade. Oh, how sweeter life will be when p-chem is over! Unfortunately, I will have to suffer at least another 3 weeks this quarter and 5 more weeks next quarter of these irrelevant and uninteresting materials before they can be totally erased from my limited memory space. What a drag!!!

Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Since my sister and husband were here in town from LA, I decided to ditch my elective class to bike across the GG Bridge. We rented our bikes from the Fisherman's Wharf after having our delicious seafood lunch (clam chowder in a bread bowl, seafood cocktails, and crab cake sandwich) at Tarantino's. The whole trip was about 15 miles long and took us about 2 and 1/2 hours. Biking to the bridge involved going on many uphill portions, which we took the easy way out by pushing our bikes up. However, the 4-mile ride on the bridge was very flat and beautiful. It was exhilarating riding on the side with all the cars whizzing by. The view of the water and the city was also stunning. It's definitely one of those experiences that I will remember for a long time, especially the pain created by the friction from our bike seats! Anyhow, it was a fun experience and worth ditching class for!

Stress?

How do I know that pharmacy school has finally stressed me out a little too much? When my heart is racing and my mind alert even without the consumption of coffee. I believe a little stress is productive but that level has reached beyond the functional state today, for the first time since school started! In a way, I am glad that I am somehow normal like the rest of my class. I was starting to wonder what was wrong with me for being so calm and kicked back about exams and grades. In another way, I am disappointed at myself for not being able to control my anxiety, which signals that I still can't get over worrying about grades!

Victorian Buildings

Despite the disappointing scores from my first round of midterms, I managed to cheer myself up with some shots of this exciting and lively city. I got some really good architecture pictures of the Victorian houses in the Sunset District at around sunset as I strolled along Irving St. with my husband during his visit from LA this weekend. The soft light and blue sky of that afternoon were perfect for photography! We also managed to hop on the N Judah and made it on time to Ocean Beach for the sunset! It wasn't one of the most spectacular sunsets that I have seen (like the one in Kuai and Bryce National Park), but I enjoyed watching a family of three playing on the beach while admiring the huge orange sinking below the horizon. That is my definition of a quality family time! I was also glad that my husband was there, even though I was more occupied by picture-taking than enjoying the experience with him.

The Dreaded Bell Curve

I am now beginning to question whether I should check the grade distribution after getting my exam results after two depressing times of falling over one standard deviation below the mean! I told myself that grades were not that important and that I was satisfied with a passing grade, but it's still sad to see myself below the second quartile in the score range. It's a different ball game going to class with all the super smart and creative people from different schools in the nation; I feel like crap being the stupid one at times. I told myself that I must be good in SOME ways or I wouldn't have been admitted to the pharmacy program at UCSF, but it's better said than done. Hopefully, I will get over this slump soon and become more productive in my studies and training to become a future pharmacist.

White Coat Ceremony

TL: My husband & I;
BR: Mary Anne Koda-Kimble; School Dean

Confession of a Student Pharmacist

Perhaps it was the rain; perhaps, it was the fire alarm that went off during our long rehearsal at Cole Hall, I grumpily remarked to my classmate during the break before the start of the event: “I am so not digging this White Coat Ceremony!” While my classmates excitedly clustered around to take pictures with friends and family members who had flown in from afar, I excluded myself in an attempt to uplift my spirit with a chocolate and almond Haagendaz ice cream bar at the Moffit-eria.
To my disappointment, the ice cream did not do its magic. I still felt gloomy as I stood in line waiting to enter the auditorium with the white coat on my left arm while asking myself why everyone was so hyped up. I just could not comprehend the justification for spending so much money and wasting so much time on this afternoon.
The White Coat Ceremony began with greetings from Mary Anne Koda-Kimble, whose red highlighted bangs and occasional jokes cheered me up a little. However, my attitude about this over-rated event had not changed even after Mary Anne reasoned that it was a celebration of our academic achievement and other personal qualities that got us into the number one pharmacy school in the nation and it symbolizes our transition from "pharmacy students to student pharmacists." Being a team player, I formally walked up the stage with a group of nine other student pharmacists to be coated by alumni members, while secretly feeling relieved that the long afternoon would soon be over.
My emotions were altered by an inspirational speech made by a 4th year student pharmacist, Troy Drysdale, whose dedication, innovation, and hard work had led him to many leadership positions and to novel paths for others to follow. Through his speech, I felt honored to be part on an institution where change and initiation are encouraged along with the passion for “serving the underserved.” I was also amazed at how much impact one individual can make to his/her university and the community.
Nonetheless, the turning point occurred during the recitation of the “Oath of a Pharmacist,” when Dr. Jennifer Cocohoba, an HIV-specialized ambulatory care pharmacist and faculty member of the School of Pharmacy, asked us to stand and face the audience with our right hands raised while repeating the oath after her. I was initially shocked at this request, but proudly recited the first verse aloud in unison with the other 121 members of the Class of 2011. However, tears began to roll down my eyes, smearing the make-up on my face and muted my voice (and worst yet, the camera man was having a ball taking pictures of me looking silly), after Dr. Cocohoba read the second verse: “I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering my primary concerns.” For the rest of the oath, I was only able to occasionally project my voice as I tried to calm this sudden surge of emotions.
I later found out that I was not the only person moved to tears after confessing the episode to one of my classmates. In response, she commented, “I am so glad you said that because I thought I was the only one who did that.” Why was reciting the “Oath of a Pharmacist” in front of a couple hundreds of spectators such an emotional event?
The purpose of the White Coat Ceremony began to unravel as I ponder over my dramatic reaction during the oath recitation. Similar to other formal events where much effort is put into its organization and implementation and where vows are publicly announced, a sense of permanent commitment is planted in the actors. Willingly taking the “Oath of a Pharmacist” with friends and family members as witnesses has made it officially a part of an ideal I am obligated to strive for. Perhaps, I shed tears for fear that I will not be able to fulfill my duty as a public servant in the future; perhaps, they were tears of elation in knowing that I am privileged to be among the top pharmacy clinicians in the nation and therefore will be adequately trained to serve my future patients.

Oath of a Pharmacist


At this time, I vow to devote my professional life to the service
of all humankind through the profession of pharmacy.

I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of
human suffering my primary concerns.

I will apply my knowledge, experience and skills to the
best of my ability to assure optimal drug therapy
outcomes for the patients I serve.

I will keep abreast of developments and maintain
professional competency in my profession of pharmacy.

I will maintain the highest principles of moral,
ethical and legal conduct.

I will embrace and advocate change in the profession of
pharmacy that improves patient care.

I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of
the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.


Developed by the American Pharmaceutical Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans Task Force on Professionalism, June 1994.

Blue Angels

Every weekend, something exciting always take me away from my books, which I really need to be glued to b/c of upcoming exams (two next week!). However, I always managed to sneak out for a little fun. I just can't resist the exciting sights and sounds of different neighborhoods in SF. After volunteering at the Chinatown Health Fair, I headed to Fisherman's Wharf to watch the Blue Angels in flight for about half an hour. The city was flooded with people excited about the naval pilots' aerobatic tricks.
It was amazing seeing these planes zoomed pass and rumbled close to you, but I totally think tax-payers' money can be better spent on areas that might improve human kind. I wonder how much money the government spends every year in training these pilots specifically to do tricks in the air with their expensive planes while polluting the environment with noise and carbon dioxide! Wouldn't the money better be allocated to improve human health, decrease world poverty, or close the gap in the quality of education between the rich and the poor?

LoveFest

LoveFest is a big annual celebration of electrical music that starts with a parade of loud clubbing music trucks with dancers dressed up according to the theme the company has decided on. The parade begins at around Union Square and stations at Civic Center for the big party. People are dressed up in different types of costumes to attend the event. Among the interesting ones were a man dressed as Big Bird, another as a Chinese woman with a small stuffed tiger stuck in his tight underwear(perhaps to draw attention to his balls and stick), and a transexual in a hot pink outfit with net underwear revealing her nipples. There were even a group of butt naked men walking around, exposing their male private parts without any reservations. I was surprised that the police did not arrest them for indecent exposure!
It was interesting seeing people dance their hearts out in the street and letting out their wild sides with fancy hair styles, make-up, and costumes. The liberalism of San Francisco is fascinating; it embraces diverse groups of people regardless of their sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, and personal beliefs and behaviors.
I had a blast people watching but ended up with a headache after two hours of letting my body vibrate with the strong bass music coming from the trucks I was near. It was a good study break though.

Orientation Week

Written on 9/14/07

It’s only the end of my first week of my professional life as a student pharmacist at UCSF, but it feels like I’ve been here so much longer. I have never had so much information presented to me in such a short period of time and I know they’ll be much more learning to do in the years to come. Our orientation activities ranged basic logistics such as how to obtain student identification cards and expectations for students’ level of professionalism to activities that foster social interactions and collaborations such as our in-depth group discussions and presentations on diversity issues.

Ever since my first encounter with the school, which dates back to 2002 (when I attended the Information Session in Long Beach), I have been continually amazed with the level of organization and thought behind each school event. Things always seem to be well planned out and executed smoothly and effectively. The speakers that represent the school, including faculty, staff, volunteers, and students, show confidence without sounding too cocky. This element of modesty, coupled with the desire to achieve higher level of development, result in the school embracement and promotion of change and innovative ideas for better healthcare to all mankind, especially the underserved population.

I am excited to be studying from among so many talented, open-minded, and well-rounded leaders in the field of pharmacy. The leadership and community service opportunities provided by the various student organizations are endless. I hope to enrich my pharmacy experience through involvement with extra curricular activities and develop my leadership skills in the four precious years as a student pharmacist in this well-established institution.