I can’t believe I’m finally writing about being a hematology oncology attending. Of course, after finally graduating from my medical training, the big step is to have a job!

Super excited to be part of the Fred Hutch Team. This job was my first choice and I really love the whole group – everyone has been so kind and welcoming. My schedule started with orientation, and a ramped up schedule to get me used to the workflow.

I have little shared office which I decorated my side – I figured if I’m going to spend a lot of time at work, I might at well make it look nice. We can’t have real plants (plus we have no windows anyway) so I put lots of fake plants and colorful wall decals. I also wrapped my shelf with fabric, put up my photography, and used marble contact paper to transform my office desk. Apparently this drew lots of interest and attention (“your office has been the talk of the town!”), since no other doctors had decorated their office before.

One of my decorations was a small picture of my favorite cat meme which summed up my emotions of being a new attending: The horrifying moment when you are looking for an attending, but then realize that you are an attending. So you look for a smarter attending. Someone successfully attending. The attendier attending.

Although I’ve been an attending before, as a hospitalist/nocturnist, being a hematology-oncology attending is a different level of stress. Everyone told me that the first year is the hardest, and that it takes 3-5 years before you get “comfortable”. Even my office buddy, who’s one of the most senior attendings, often asks colleagues for input. I’ve been very slow since I’m double and triple checking everything.

I’m really grateful that we’re a big group (allowing us to slightly specialize in an area – I’m very excited to focus on lung!), and that I have my mentors from my UW/Fred Hutch fellowship, so there’s a lot of experienced people I can ask for advice. My goal this year is to learn a lot, pass boards, and practice safely for my patients.

Celebrating with some good old chocolate chocolate chip ice cream. Adapted from Allrecipes

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup milk (I used 2%)
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
scant 3/4 cup sugar
3 egg yolks lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces dark chocolate chopped

Instructions

Combine and smimmer milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until hot but not boiling.
Whisk egg yolks and vanilla extract into a small bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture, then return to the saucepan, stirring frequently so the egg doesn’t scramble (this is tempering the egg). Stir until thickened, but do not boil (low medium heat)
Remove from the heat and let cool. Once cool add the chopped chocolate. Refrigerate until cold.
Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Enjoy!