7 days. 6 livers. 12 kidneys. 2 pediatric transplants. 1 multiorgan transplant.
This job can be exhausting but most of the time it’s just amazing. The Michigan Transplant Team played Santa this year & I could not be more humbled to be a part of it. It is the MOST magical season.
To anyone that has been told medicine is for men or surgery (especially transplant) isnt the right choice for women:
I present to you this AM’s
@UMichSurgery
transplant rounding team
(Notably
@mary_shen
was absent as she was sewing in a kidney)
#WhyUMichSurgery
#WhoRuntheWorld
Am I a transplant surgeon? Yes
Do I want to have a kids? Yes
Do I realize it will be challenging? Yes
To the caring but misdirected folks who regularly question my commitment to job & family-its mine turn to ask a❓:
When was the last time you asked a man that?
@WomenSurgeons
12% of transplant surgeons are women.
So on this
#InternationalWomensDay
I spent some time out of the OR chatting with women interested in the field.
Representation matters.
Surgery needs you, patients need you.
I will keep loudly reminding you until we make that 12 a 50.
I dont care how good your grandmas stuffing is, how perfect the pumpkin pie tastes or how competitive your game of backyard football gets-there is really no better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than giving someone a new organ
I really, really love my job
#DonateLife
#MedTwitter
What happens when a woman liver anesthesiologist, woman transplant surgeon and woman transplant fellow walk into the OR?
Some special kind of liver transplant magic 🪄 👸
So thankful for these amazing talented ladies.
#whoruntheworld
#ILookLikeASurgeon
Happy
#MatchDay
y’all!
10 years ago I didnt match
Tonight I just finished a liver transplant
@umichmedicine
Turns out, no matter what happens today your dreams can still come true
Here’s to the start of the best job ever: being a doctor
Time to party!
#MedTwitter
#Match2022
Transplant is full of late nights, early mornings, challenging cases, even tougher decisions, compromise & sacrifice.
But some people live their entire lives hoping to be witness to a miracle-I get to see one almost everyday.
So is it worth it?
Every damn minute.
#donatelife
Hooray for this women power TRANSPLANT team today!!
I was told many a time during my journey to becoming a transplant surgeon that I should reconsider because it wasn’t the best field for women.
I beg to differ.
#goblue
@WomenSurgeons
@UMichSurgery
@umichmedicine
Yes I do work fairly hard sometimes, but my job is:
REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY COOL.
Like saving lives cool.
Find a job you love.
(especially if it's being a transplant surgeon)
That is all.
No matter what your religious beliefs, it’s hard to deny the miracle that is the gift of transplantation. Feeling incredibly blessed to give some folks a new beginning (and some new organs) this special weekend.
#HappyEaster
#DonateLifeMonth
#DonateLife
Last night I snuggled with my baby and put her to sleep, this morning I got to see her a bit after she woke up and play with her giggly self all morning.
In between, I did an infant liver transplant.
To think I was warned that transplant wouldn’t be a good lifestyle for a mom…
As a transplant surgeon it is my duty (& honor) to respect the bodily autonomy of all-including brain dead donors-We ✔️ & confirm ✔️ & again that they are willing donors prior to any recovery because it’s their body.
Imagine if we gave women the same respect when they are alive.
This is the best reason ever to miss
#ACS2023
.
We are impossibly in love.
When I was diagnosed with melanoma at 12 weeks pregnant I wasn’t sure this day would be possible.
Endless gratitude to all the teams
@umichmedicine
for making it happen.
We are so lucky.
#GoBlue
It’s my 1st day at work as an attending (still kind of weird to say) so I figured it would be a good time to share what I’ve done with my office:
Just trying to live up to
@acweyand
suggestion that surgeons can indeed be outrageously fabulous
#ILookLikeASurgeon
#medgirltwitter
I love taking care of patients.
I also love shoes.
Taking care of a bleeding fistula consult in these babies makes me feel extra badass.
Turns out you can love heels and surgery. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.
You be you queen 👸.
#ILookLikeASurgeon
On the eve of
#Match2022
week it is time for the 10th annual celebration of my UnMatch day
For all those anxious M4s counting down the minutes until tomorrow's email & then the days until Friday's celebrations-here is a little bit of advice from someone who has been there
A 🧵:
Because you can’t go back and edit your tweets I took the liberty of fixing this one for
@JAMA_current
. I think it’s more accurate.
Structural racism is pervasive and to suggest it does not exist means you are part of the problem.
In true transplant fashion, I started my 1st day of 27th grade in the OR at midnight. I can’t believe there is only 1 more year of training to go-& a lifetime of learning ahead. To all those who have supported me through the trials & tribulations of medical training, I ❤️ you.
Because no one's surgical future should be decided in a hotel room.
When we encounter aspects of our profession that are unfair we must speak up.
Thank you
@AnnalsofSurgery
for giving this a voice. Thank you
@AmBdSurg
for listening.
4th yr med students
Its a special day-for most of you it will be full of celebrating
But for some of you it will be sad & disappointing-I feel you, I was you
I’m 9 years out & share this every year bc my job (& life) KEEPS GETTING BETTER
It will be okay (& maybe even awesome)
Why yes, I am a surgeon who got a new time slot with her therapist and just added it to her shared work calendar.
It’s time that needs protected because
#MentalHealthMatters
#ILookLikeASurgeon
History in the OR: First all-female liver transplant team at Michigan Medicine
I have the BEST job.
Grateful for those who paved the way & those who have been by my side for this incredible journey.
@umichmedicine
@UMichSurgery
#donatelife
#GoBlue
So I will leave you with this (from a seasoned unmatched surgeon):
The undesired and unexpected journey often takes you to the EXACT place you were supposed to be all along...
...you just might not know it yet.
#MatchDay2022
#sparkleon
3 years ago today
@UMichSurgery
gave me the opportunity to share a bit of wisdom from my training. Though the world seems impossibly different in 2022 I think the lessons still ring true
To all the eager interns about to embark on an incredible journey, here are 10 lessons:
a🧵
Med school=4 years
Surgery Residency= 7 years
Transplant Fellowship= 2 years
Been on kidney transplant call the past week
@UMichSurgery
& getting to sign my patient's discharge summaries & see the phrase below makes every single minute worth it
Every
Single
Minute
#medtwitter
I got my
@onepeloton
bike as a
@UMichSurgery
residency graduation gift
Two years, 200+ transplants, a pandemic and a fellowship later I made it to 1000 rides
You don’t have to, nor should you, give up your health/fitness for your medical training. It can be done.
#medtwitter
I took this picture after I was witness to a father sitting in this chair watching his daughter dying of COVID through a window b/c he didn’t want to bring it home to his family
@realDonaldTrump
I did not receive any extra money this year
I would pay A LOT to never see it again
Some have suggested that doctors are gaming COVID to make more money... thankful to
@elliottwoods
and
@WIRED
for covering what life is actually like on the front line of a pandemic.
When you are working for the holidays it is key to find someone else who has a similar affinity for Christmas attire and spreading Christmas cheer to plan matching outfits with.
Exhibit A:
(Yes we very much wore this today)
#ILookLikeASurgeon
#medgirltwitter
#MedTwitter
Definitely the best amazon order I’ve made in a long time (if not ever)
In order to be a better ally I MUST be educated
I have A LOT to learn but you have to start somewhere right?
(PS if anyone
@UMichSurgery
wants to borrow any of these please let me know)
#BlackLivesMatter
Today I was reminded of an important lesson: Just b/c you dont have the cure doesnt mean you dont possess what your patient needs-I cant fix terminal cancer, but I can provide a listening ear, a compassionate heart & commitment be there.
Perhaps that is the best medicine of all.
To anyone who has been advised to avoid bold colors as a doctor…
(let’s face it, one can really never have too much hot pink attire)
#ILookLikeASurgeon
🦄👸👠
7 years ago I walked into the surgery education office
@UMichSurgery
@umichmedicine
and experienced the great excitement of getting my first long white coat. Today I return a collection I’ve gained over the years. Surreal.
Last Monday of Residency...
There are many cool & amazing things in this world, but rounding on patients the day after kidney transplant & seeing foley bags full of urine may be one of the most (admittedly weirdly) beautiful sights for this gal. ❤️🥺
Yes, my job is still the best.
#donatelife
@HPB_Txp_Surg
@curtis_caitrin
@drsuswarner
@Anonymous___d
@LMcElroy23
Turns out we are all humans & deserve to be treated with compassion & respect. If your teaching paradigm necessitates you “beat up on” your learner it’s NOT a gender issue but a deficit in the teacher.
I am a proud, badass & sensitive woman surgeon—train me like a human being.
Thanks so much to
@TempleSurgery
for the opportunity to share a bit of my passion today. It was truly an honor. You all are evidence that the future of surgery is incredibly bright ☀️
That time I graduated txp fellowship by throwing a unicorn party, wore a sequined jump suit to my ceremony & received the most AMAZE gift from my team
Doesnt everyone get sparkly
@jimmychoo
stilettos for graduation?
Here’s to doing surgery my way
#medtwitter
#ILookLikeASurgeon
So here is a little ✨ sparkly story ✨for y’all:
I graduated this weekend & for the celebration my family came up to
@umichmedicine
@UMich
to celebrate with me.
I wore a sparkly jumpsuit which you can see pictured here (with my adorable family):
1/
5 kidneys, 5 patients, combined 50 years of dialysis, all have urine in their foley bags tonight. Today was a special day.
Thanks to all
@umichmedicine
&
@UMichSurgery
that helped made it happen.
Endlessly grateful for the donors and their incredible gift of life.
#donatelife
Sometimes in the middle of a bit of a busy stretch of operating I walk outside and reflect on my job...
Guys, I get paid to give people lifesaving organs.
HOW COOL IS THAT?!?
(and yes that is a kidney and liver necklace)
#WhyUMichSurgery
#ilooklikeasurgeon
#medgirltwitter
Tell her she inspired me to go with the sequin skirt “to go to work to surgery”
Being told many times to be less me-if I can show one person that they can both be themselves & be an awesome doctor-I’ll be super proud
Sequins & Science forever
#medtwitter
#medgirltwitter
Today was dress like a superhero day at my friend’s daughter’s school.
She definitely picked the best one.
(I may have contributed the scrub cap 😉)
#MedTwitter
#ILookLikeASurgeon
It was an honor to give this talk
@UMichSurgery
a few weeks ago. As we are one month into the new (medical) year, here is a bit of wisdom from seven years as a surgical resident.
Enjoy the journey, take care of each other.
Take care of you.
No one day, one email, one algorithm gets to define you-Not them emblem on your white coat or the area code in which you live
What defines you is how you care for your patients & your team
How you take what you learned in med school & make the world better
That is what matters
Hey all it
#WorldMentalHealthDay
(aka health day).
As a physician this day matters to me.
As a woman this day matters to me.
As a human this day matters to me.
So here is a little thread...
It’s my first holiday season in my attending office, so what does this sparkly surgeon do?
Put up a pink Christmas tree of course!! 🎄💕🎄💕🎄
(yes that is a pink sequined tree skirt)
My zoom game has never been better.
#MedTwitter
#ILookLikeASurgeon
I always tell people for about as long as I can remember I wanted to be a doctor. Proof is finding this Wanna-Be doll (circa 1990) at my parent’s house.
Here’s to a little girl’s dream coming true.
#ILookLikeASurgeon
#MedTwitter
#MedGirlTwitter
A little story about
@umichmedicine
&
@UMichSurgery
:
Tonight I did my first transplant in a month secondary to the
#COVID
crisis. We are running fewer ORs & everything takes a bit longer due to added safety measures to prevent disease transmission (even in COVID- patients)
This. Is. So. Important.🙌
I used to say “don’t let your failures define you” but now I am ALL for celebrating them
I would not be where I am today without these struggles⬇️
Here’s to “failing” & being so damn proud of yourself who you are because of it
#FailOn
#MedTwitter
👑
Added a failure slide to my talk tonight inspired by previous posts I’ve seen on
#MedTwitter
. I am sure there are plenty more things I could’ve added to this list but I simply cannot remember them since I’m happy where I am at now so they have been erased from my brain space.
2 years: a bunch of transplants, sweat, some tears but mostly laughter & support. Ive never done anything harder but wouldnt change a moment-What a special way to end things w/ my cofellow
If I think about it any more Ill start to get emotional & I still have operating to do
1/2
Because all of
#medtwitter
has confirmed surgeons can wear sparkly shoes I’m here to provide another PSA for any daughter, son, or grown up out there—surgeons can (and do) wear sequined skirts too ✨
(And yes that is a 🦄 lamp in my office).
@WomenSurgeons
#ILookLikeASurgeon
These are scary times but I have learned a lot too. I’ve started a list of lessons for a post-
#COVID
Meredith. I think I’ll appreciate it.
“Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty. We have been given pain to be astounded by joy”
There will be more lessons to come...
If you were unsuccessful in
#Match2021
& are now in
#SOAP2021
I know personally how much today sucks
You’ll get through-it may be an opportunity for your life to get even better-it was for me
Share your
#unmatched
story (or another’s you know an amazing doc who didn’t match)👊🏻
7 years later and I still proudly reflect back on & be grateful to where this un-match day journey has brought me.
To all those who were handed lemons this morning, it's OK to hurt today but go make some lemonade tomorrow--It really can be so incredibly sweet.
@UMichSurgery
Please stop telling women what they should or shouldn't do, who they can or can't be. Turns out the ideal specialty for women is the same as men: the one that brings you joy & lets you be your best self for your patients.
Gender isn't part of the equation.
I’ve lost count of the number of times that I’ve been told, both directly and indirectly, that transplant surgery isn’t ideal for women. This picture alone was enough for me to just add it back to my list of speciality interests😍 I’m legit crying😭
Because Sunday it’s gonna be May, I felt this scrub cap was very appropriate Friday OR attire.
Also I am just waiting for a medical student not to know who
@NSYNC
is and for me to feel very old.
#MedTwitter
Over the past decade I have learned so much inside the operating room.
But I have been unmistakably transformed at the bedside.
I’m so grateful for this endlessly humbling and rewarding career.
Holidays away from family can be hard but giving the amazing gift of transplant is the best Xmas gift this gal could ask for (super grateful to my fam for tolerating late holidays)
Life is precious-cherish the time you have w/ your people during this magical season
#donatelife
The best of Christmases is spent giving, not receiving. I’m so grateful for all who have supported me on this journey and whose sacrifices allow me to live out my dreams in the OR.
May your Christmas be full of gratitude and love.
#donatelife
Not much better than the honor of bringing in Christmas with a liver transplant. Grateful to a generous family having a tragic holiday who gave the greatest gift, and so honored to be part of this team. Happy holidays my friends.
@UMichSurgery
@MichiganLiver
#TheTeamTheTeam
My hair is a mess & I may have some dark circles under my eyes from a few late OR nights but I’m smiling because I just had a wonderful therapy session
Surgery is not therapy, medicine is not therapy, therapy is therapy
And yes-as someone who goes to therapy
#ILookLikeASurgeon
ATTN: Now that I’m approaching graduation this is my new chosen title.
Docticorn Barrett.
That is all.
(PS this title is not meant to be exclusive. To all my fellow Docticorns out there,
#sparkleon
)
@UMichSurgery
@WomenSurgeons
#medtwitter
My phone just reminded me that this happened a year ago. It feels like a lifetime, but the lessons are still true
To all the interns starting in a few short days: our jobs are hard, it is okay not to be okay
You’re not alone
A few more thoughts here ⬇️
Today I had the honor of leading a talk on vulnerability, grief & growth during
#COVID19
I ended w/ this image-which is my new goal for me, our team, our hospital & our world during this difficult time
We cant erase our scars but that doesnt mean they arent freaking beautiful
Being a surgeon is the most awesome of careers but it is also one of the hardest and most humbling.
Patients don’t always play by the rules you spent hours and hours studying in medical school and at times that seems incredibly unjust and cruel...
(1/2)
Because all the cool kids in the
#GenSurgMatch2022
are showing off their sweet interview set ups I figured I would show mine (& of course those are not real plants...do you know me?)
Excited to engage with the next generation of surgical all-stars!
#WhyUMichSurgery
#Match2022
Cleaning out my closet, I came across this gown and remembered the little girls who sent me a letter and asked me to wear something sparkly for a talk I gave at NASA so they could believe that scientists could also be sparkly.
It may be Monday, but with these nails and this loupes case, I feel extra ready for some transplanting.
Hot pink+leopard+scalpels FTW.
#sparkleon
#ILookLikeASurgeon
Shout out for female Doctors. My four year old has rather innocently come over to me crying that she’s never seen a lady doctor before because ‘Doctors are all boys’.
Please help me show her otherwise 🥰
If you haven't seen this happen, you probably aren't watching close enough
Women surgeons have done such incredible, inspiring, amazing things for our profession...just imagine what we could do if we weren't allocating mental mind space to this BS
@WomenSurgeons
#MedTwitter
🔥 Excited to release a new video!
“A Tale of 2 ORs”
Thrilled to partner with
@temkins
and
@1001cuts
to focus on the challenges female surgeons face.
To provide
#equity
in patient care we must address equity in the surgical workforce.
Full video link 👇🏼
Me too-& Im a better surgeon b/c of it. Taking care of my fellow human is the BEST job but not w/o an emotional tax. Processing your feelings w/ a professional IS NOT a red flag-in fact medicine would be a lot better (& compassionate) if we all spent time in a therapist's office.
I’m an ER doctor. I’ve seen a therapist and have been on antidepressants. Our system considers this a red flag, instead of a positive signal that I’m taking the best care of myself possible. This needs to change.
Every surgeon should read this
Complications are very real but most of us arent trained & dont have the resources to process them
M&M doesnt count
Our jobs are incredibly humbling. We must look out for each other & for ourselves. We must create a system that does this better.
“Did we warn her enough? When we said that the risks include death, did we say it quickly and with a smile, like car salesmen? Or did we stop; did we give a moment of pause for death?”
There are few things better in life than doing a transplant.
But being gifted with the responsibility of recovering is the most poignant part of this job.
Patients thank us surgeons but the donors are the heroes—I’m grateful for their gift every day.
Be a hero. Be a donor.