UVA School of Medicine

You participated in the Host program. What was that like? KRISTINE: The Host program was amazing for us. I used it as much as I could and it was a huge help during interview season, which is such an expensive and stressful time. It's really hard for students to think about resources while they're also thinking about opportunities for their future. We appreciated the Medical Alumni Association's help with that. In Pittsburgh, we went on our interviews together, even though we'd tried really hard not to do that. We had just gotten our suitcases into our rooms, and we were talking to ur hosts, Amelia (MD '92) and Chris (MD '90) Bartels. KAYLA: They were talking about how they knew about another set of twins in medical school. They were like, "They're Vindell's daughters, so that's not you." And we were like, no—that's us! We were shocked to find out they were close friends of our dad and that Chris went to school with him. What's next for you and how are you feeling about life after graduation? KAYLA: We're looking forward to taking the next step toward our final goal. There are so many steps you have to take and hurdles to overcome. We're excited to get into intern year and have a couple months under our belt when we'll be more comfortable and start to feel like physicians who are capable of taking care of kids. UVA has prepared us for that, but nothing will prepare you more than just getting in there and doing it. I want to be a neonatologist and hopefully be able to factor in global health and research into my future career. KRISTINE: I am excited and also a little overwhelmed and a little sad to leave. I think we've made a really great friend group. It's nice to be able to walk around the hospital and know everybody in all the different specialties since we rotated through them. I'm going to miss seeing familiar faces and the relationships we made here at UVA. It's a bittersweet transition. As for the future, I haven't decided as specifically as Kayla has. I'm thinking critical care hematology-oncology but probably a fellowship in the future. A Home Away from Home Host Program FA L L A N D W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 T hanks to the support of dedicated medical alumni, the UVA Medical Alumni Association made 83 successful matches between students traveling for residency interviews and volunteer hosts across the country this fall and winter. Host program volunteers open their homes to a student for an overnight stay of one or two days and/or agree to speak with students who have questions about the residency program or the community where they are interviewing. Although not required, meals, transportation, and tours may be offered by hosting alumni. Jonathan Pierre, SMD '17, with the family of Bob Franco, MD, Fel '87, a former UVA fellow who lives near Jacksonville, Fla. "The Host Program absolutely exceeded my expectations. My hosts were kind, accommodating, and incredibly generous. They made my visit immeasurably more enjoyable and were so understanding in both offering support and giving me space to do work and rest when needed. Do hosts get an award? They deserve one." ~ SMD '17 student Interested in volunteering for the 2017–18 Host Program? Visit UVAMedAlum.org/alumni/host-program 27 Vitals Spring 2017

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