| Topic Name: |
Female Doctors, Public Health, International |
| Message Name: |
Some suggestions |
| Date Posted: |
08/23/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I am a 27-year-old unmarried woman currently applying to medical school.
I am wondering:
1. How can I best time having children with the progress of my career? After 4 years in school and a minimum of 3 years in residency, I will be 35 years old. I do hope to have kids and do not mind having them when I am older; my concern is for the health of the child as I get older.
2. I am interested in getting a masters in public health in addition to an MD for a broader, global perspective. In what ways can I combine these two interests in a challenging career domestically or abroad? I am also considering work abroad as an MD in international relief/development for a number of years, but I am concerned that if I do so, I will have a hard time finding a job domestically upon my return due to my international focus (and the different level of health care/concern abroad and at home).
Any advice or resources would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! |
| Message: |
Kids are a tough thing for women in med school. Good points to have them are the 1st year of school (although breathing formaldehyde while pregnant may not be a good thing) and the end of 4th year, as rotations tend to be less demanding (electives) and you have a bit of a break pre-residency. If you were to get an MD/MPH, the MPH year would be another good point to have a kid.
As far as your interest in international medical issues, I can suggest AMSA's Global health interest group and Doctors without Borders...these could be 2 good places to start...
Good luck!
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