Introduction to a Future Doctor
Hey there! My name is Abbi Huddleston (as I'm sure you probably know if you're visiting this blog). This post just serves as an introduction to me, if for some reason you don't know me already.
A picture of me, taken by my mom last fall for a class assignment much like this one.
Currently, I'm a Senior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Public Relations, Pre-Medicine and minoring in Chemistry. I know what you're wondering now that you've read that: why are you majoring in PR if you plan to be a doctor? Shouldn't you be majoring in a science or something? Those are both great questions, and, believe it or not, I'm asked them a lot. Here's the answer: I started out as a Freshman on scholarship in the Journalism program at OU, and when I changed my career path and decided I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to stay in the same college (and keep my scholarship) but learn in a major that could translate easily to medicine. You might not believe it, but medicine is all about public relations. Relationships between doctors and patients, doctors and hospitals, and patients and hospitals are all about appearances and presentation (and, of course, about medical need). In PR, we focus on how to present ourselves or others in a certain way that will convey a certain message. With the current commercialization of healthcare and medicine (which is a huge issue that I could spend all day ranting about but I won't because that's off topic), PR becomes more and more important to physicians every day.
Because I'm a Senior at OU and nearing the end of my undergraduate years, I've been spending most of my time since May on medical school applications. If you met me today, I'd probably seem pretty boring to you because applications, essays and interviews are what I live, eat and breathe at the moment. But, when I'm not whining about these things, you could catch me at the movies (or watching a movie in the comfort of my house), baking a batch of cookies or playing with my four dogs. I have a German shepherd, two golden retriever mixes and a husky (the oldest of which is five this year), and they keep me very busy. You will never see me without at least a few pieces of dog hair on my clothes; even with a lint roller, a few pieces always seem to stay with me.
Well, I think that's about it for now. If you have any questions, or comments, don't be afraid to reach out! (I'm nice, I swear.)
Oh, I think this combination of PR and pre-med is very intriguing, Abbi! As someone who really values good communication, I definitely pay attention to the communication I have with medical professionals, and I appreciate it when they work hard on keeping that communication clear and open. I tell premed students in this class about how storytelling can be an important part of medical practice, but you have already got that figured out! And how great that you have four dogs: what total fun that must be! Maybe you can make some motivational dog memes to go along with all the motivational cats you will see in the course materials. We can get motivation from ALL the animals! Anyway, it sounds like there will be some great connections between this class and your interests, and I'm curious to see which way you will go with your stories. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, having four dogs is definitely a mess, but it's fun too! I would love to make some dog memes, I can never get enough of those!
DeleteHi Abbi! It's nice to meet you! I admire the route you are taking by incorporating your public relations major into something with medicine and continuing on to Medical School. I planned to go to medical school as a freshman (that suddenly changed after taking chemistry), so I know how hard your course load must be; do you have any favorite study tips or anything? I find it difficult to study for large tests, especially when there is more than one in a given week. Also, my favorite thing to do is watch movies, so we are very similar in that! My favorite movie is Just Go With It or A Cinderella Story (cliche I know!). Funny story, I also have four dogs, and they are quite the handful: a corgi, two labs, and a golden retriever. Hey, there's no such thing as too many dogs, right?
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too Madeleine! Chemistry is definitely one of the most difficult classes I've taken too, it's definitely a grind! As far as study tips go, I can just say don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it (I can't even tell you how many times I went to action center or had friends explain things to me), and just try your best to keep up with studying! If there's something going on in class that I don't understand, I try to study it and see if I can figure it out before I get too lost. And honestly, Hank Green's Crash Course Chemistry channel on Youtube is a godsend, and he has channels for so many subjects that pre-meds have to take, so he's my go-to. When I study for big tests, I just try to start studying a week or two out (usually two if I have more than one) by reviewing my notes, making tons of flash cards, doing practice problems, and (of course) watching Hank Green explain things on Youtube. Yes, movies are awesome! A Cinderella Story is a CLASSIC- I love movies like that. I've even seen the other two Cinderella Story movies and kind of loved them, as cheesy as that sounds. I heard a new one is coming out soon, but it's a Christmas version of the story. So, as cheesy as it will probably be, I'm sure you could catch me watching it at some point. And yes, there's absolutely no such thing as too many dogs! Dogs are the best.
DeleteHi Abbi!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you're a PR major and premed! We need more untraditional premed students out there that are willing to do different things! I'm also applying to med school this cycle and I'm a letters major! Anyways, I'm excited to read your blog this semester and look forward to some awesome and funny stories! Have fun!
Cheers!
Hi Abbi,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I think it's so neat and really bold of you to choose a major that's out of the ordinary for your career path. Learning about public relations will aid you in so many different aspects of your job that another major might not teach you, so I think this is a solid decision! Also, I'm really jealous of your dogs! Is it hard to balance taking care of them with schoolwork and stuff or is it doable? I'm trying to convince my family to let me get a dog but they think I am too busy, so I need some tips on how to convince them! I'm looking forward to reading your blog throughout the semester!
Piper
Hi Abbi! As someone going down the pre-med route myself, it's very refreshing to see someone pair pre-med with a non-traditional major. I think your reasoning for choosing public relations makes a lot of sense and in this age of profit-oriented medicine, the skills you learn in your major will be invaluable. I'd love to rant with you anytime about the aforementioned commercialization of medicine. I also feel you when it comes to dog hair; my dog's hair has traveled to countries around the world despite him having barely left the state. Good luck on your med school applications and interviews! You got this!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I loved the design, layout, and theme of your blog! It looks so amazing! I am a Biology Pre-PA major and was actually thinking about minoring in Psychology or Chemistry! I love Psychology, but Chemistry looks more practical to me right now. Hopefully, everything will work itself out. I hope your senior year is great. Wishing you the best of luck in your pursuit of becoming a doctor!
Hi Abbi, it's great to meet you!! I love your choices in dogs, by the way. I'm a big dog kind of person myself, and actually my husband and I are hoping to adopt a golden and a German shepherd at some point, too! That's a really interesting study plan, do you know where you want to go to med school? Best of luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi! I am also a pre-med.
ReplyDeleteI agree that public relations is vital to any upcoming physician. Personally, I'm majoring in Chemical Biosciences because it better suits the science requirements for medical school. However, I definitely don't skimp on social skill development.
Good luck with those applications. I'm not quite at that stage, but I've seen the hard work put into them.
PS: I have three dogs at home, so I can totally relate to the dog hair everywhere. At home, every day, counter sweeping, there is always enough shedding on the floor to make a stuffed animal with it.
Hey Abbi! Wow, sounds like you are one busy chick! It's pretty interesting to combine PR with pre-med. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the commercialization of medicine because it is really getting out of hand (assuming it's not already, of course, which it probably is). And hey, congratulations on making it to your senior year! It's not easy coming here and working hard. You're almost done! Looking forward to seeing what else you share in class. :)
ReplyDelete- Cate H.
HI Abbi!
ReplyDeleteYour intro really gave me a sense of your fun personality! I want o say congrats on your last year! It must be so exciting to graduate! I think your major is a unique twist in the typical medical field ones. I like that you are doing what you love and have so much passion for what you are doing. I really wish you would show pictures of your dogs! Ugh I bet they are every bit as adorable as you describe them! I hope you have a wonderful semester!
Hi Abbi! I think it's super cool that you've found a way to stay in your college/keep your scholarship even though you've decided on a new career path. Best of luck on your med school applications! I also enjoy movies and dogs, both great things haha. Hope you still find time to bake and play with your dogs even though you're so busy!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi! PR is a great way to link your interests as a doctor and your connection to Gaylord College! Most people don't realize how important communication and relationships between people and institutions impact the quality of care provided. I am also interested in the social aspect of health and how most people view and experience health outside the sphere of the body's systems - anatomy and physiology. So I tend to focus on the relationship between doctors/healthcare in general and patients. I think it is great that with PR you see even more of the picture. Can't wait to read more about and by you! Hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being a senior! I think you have a pretty interesting approach of combining the plan to become a doctor with public relations. I agree that relationships are a very underrated part of the medicine field. You'll be able to get whatever science education you'll need to be a doctor later. Anyway, good luck this semester!
Hi Abbi! As a fellow pre-med, I must say how cool it is to see a PR major that is also a premed. I agree that public relations is completely relevant to the medical field and that is amazing that you are doing that. Also I have a German Shepherd as well, so that is a another thing we have in common!
ReplyDeleteHello Abbi,
ReplyDeleteI too am a public relations major so I understand the ups and downs of the Gaylord College. I do find it very interesting that you are on a premed track because I have never met another PR major who has any goals in the medical field. I do know that PR is a growing medical interest and I wanna commend you for setting your goals on tackling that field early!
Hi Abbi!
ReplyDeleteI'm also in Gaylord, but advertising! I took Intro to PR as one of my electives and thought it was super interesting and I can definitely see how majoring in it would benefit you in the medical world. I wish you the best of luck on all of your med school applications, and I'm looking forward to reading all of your stories this semester!
Hi Abbi,
ReplyDeleteI think that you brought up such a great point with needing a PR background for the medical field. I hadn't thought about it that way before, but it makes so much sense with the way you described it. Also, please post pictures of your dogs! I love seeing cute pictures of dogs, and I have a German shepherd as well! Good luck with your medical school applications!
Hey Abbi,
ReplyDeleteWow that is so impressive that you have been tackling all of that since you arrived on campus. I have trouble with just my major, so I cannot imagine how hectic is must double majoring and having a minor. You and my girlfriend are both on the Pre-Med track. I know for a fact she wants to be an operating doctor and she finds it all so interesting the way they do procedures and what not. She tries to show me operating pictures all the time, or pictures she has from when she works as an emt. When she does that, I tend to run the other way because I am not into real life gore but do enjoy gory horror films. I hope your senior year goes well!
Hi Abbi!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of anyone doing PR and pre-med, but I think that is really awesome. I am in Gaylord to an I love everything about it. I am an advertising major so the only PR class I have taken is intro to PR, but it was great class. I loved Dr. Moore. I think you offered a great explanation as to how public relations directly translates into today's medical landscape.
Hello Abbi! That is such a neat combination with the PR and pre-med. That must be difficult to balance between the two as I know both aren't easy at all. Congratulations on making it to senior year! That is an amazing accomplishment and I wish I was so lucky to be there already. Your four dogs sound like such a blast to be around and would be such an amazing thing to be around and see. I hope you finish the semester strong and hope all you medical applications go well!!
ReplyDeleteHello Abbi! Balancing PR and pre-med cannot be easy, so it is awesome that you are making it happening. Senior year is a lot to take in, it seems like everything is flying by so fast, but we're taking each day one at a time. Four dogs?? you are so lucky and I am jealous! Good luck on your writing and good luck with med school!!
ReplyDeleteHey Abbi!!! We did the belknap proctorship together. That is so awesome that we are both taking this class. I hope everything has been going well. My premed path has taken a complete 180 since this summer so I am back to square one as far as knowing what I want to do job wise. I also had no idea you had four dogs. They sound super cute! If you have time you should totally put a couple of pictures of them in here. Anyways, good luck girl!!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi, it is so nice to meet you via online! I loved your introduction post. You convinced me that more people who are going to med school should major in PR. I am a communications major and we focus on (obviously) communicating in the workforce and different social settings. Most of the classes I find that many people would benefit from because we discuss relationships, appearances and presentations just like PR. It seems like you have your life quite figured out! Have a great rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Abbi!
ReplyDeleteEven though it's the very end of the semester, I'm glad I finally came across your blog! I'm also a Gaylord major, but I have to say, I don't know any other people in Gaylord who are also pre-med. That's so cool! I hope all of your med school applications have gone smoothly this semester, and I hope that next semester treats you well! Best of luck!!