Bi-Weekly Progress Blog 10/13-10/27

Analysis - For these last two weeks from October 13 to October 27, I have been calling clinics

ranging from the nearby area to as far as one to one and a half hours away looking for a potential

mentor. It feels as if I have hit a roadblock with these as I have only been able to secure two

interviews which occurred before these two weeks. However, while this is discouraging non the

less I will continue to make calls until I have secured a secondary potential mentor that could

possibly benefit me more than my current secured mentor. My potential mentor in Greenville has

unfortunately not responded to my email possibly due to a mis-communication with his email

address and the follow up call was directed to the receptionist that did not function in the clinic

or hospital as he was off duty. Final steps are being made to follow through with the plan to have

Dr. Belbel be my mentor for ISM with the paperwork being signed during our next meeting after

and concerns are addressed. Outside of ISM the yearly stress has only grown with this class with

my other class piling on homework and test grades as well as college application and financial

aid opportunities, with that also comes the studying required for Health Occupation Students of

America competition and Business Professionals of America competition. It feel not

overwhelming just yet but it feels that I am having to direct certain focus to one class which

leads me into not performing as well as in the other classes.

Going forth - I would like to achieve at a minimum two more interviews with interventional

cardiologist specifically and to determine if they can better suit me distance and educational wise

or if my current secured mentorship may be the best option for me. If Dr. Belbel is best suited for

me I will have a final conversation with Mr. Pirtle regarding paperwork and follow through with
Hunt Regional to address and paperwork or other steps needed to be taken to achieve mentorship

at Hunt Regional.

Step Backs - I feel behind, left in the crowd compared to certain individuals in ISM. With some

people being able to achieve two, three or four confirmed interviews in a day while I am stuck

calling and only having my message passed on or be sent to voicemail. Even altering what I say

with voicemails and receptionist has made little to non impact. I fear that I will not be able to

achieve anything close to Frisco and that my only chance of success is farther away. If I do turn

down this possible mentorship I feel as if I will not be able to spring back but to fall too far and

have to eventually drop ISM.