Posted on 06.19.09 by Sharon Lin, DO

Intern year has ended and I made it out alive - barely.  After getting yet another viral URI, I finally succumbed to my weakened immune system and called in sick for the first time this year.  I slept for 14 hours to catch up on two weeks of sleep deprivation due to working nearly 90-hour weeks.  Now that I passed the finishing line, I'm on a two-week reprieve called Transition and Renewal as I gear up for the responsibilities of being a second-year resident.  I've waited very patiently for renewal (sigh) and expect rosier cheeks and a hop to my step by the time I'm through with it.

There will be gardening, advocacy work, teaching at a local school, creative writing and the like to help in this wonderful process of renewal.  There will also be some time to reflect on what we want to accomplish in the larger picture.  Don't you just wish every employer allowed people to renew their spirits and nourish their souls?  Just imagine what that could do for our society.

In my sparest of spare times, I've been dreaming up some grand projects to help create community, improve quality of life, and reduce social disparities.  On July 15, I will moderate a Grand Rounds panel discussion addressing poverty in Sonoma County and reducing the social disparities gap.  The panelists include the leaders of our county's Public Health, Economic Development, Education, and NGOs sectors.  It will be videotaped on put on a multi-media Web portal addressing quality of life from street to society. 

I'm so excited about this upcoming event after a year of planning and networking.  I hope you will all be able to see it and give me advice or feedback!