Back in the Saddle

More news actually. Today was my first day back doing procedures- since my hip surgery. I was a little anxious about being able to stand the whole morning- I can remember how grueling these clinics were last year. I would dose up on Motrin before and during the busy schedule. And today, NO PAIN! None. I am so relieved.

An two patients told me after their heart biopsy that it was the BEST one they have ever had. Quite a compliment from transplant patients who have basically had any and every procedure under the sun. So I feel pretty pumped up.... I am good, I've still got it, and I'm back!

On the road

I am officially on the interview trail. Must tell you it is SO much better this time around! They had a limo waiting for me at the airport, then delivered me to the hotel where I was given a suite. A suite! As I stretched out on the king sized bed with the high thread count sheets I called my husband. In remembrance of the difficult interview tours for residency and fellowship. Where I had to pay for every flight and hotel. I think I am still paying.... the cost was tagged onto my student loans... which are no where close to being paid off.

True there were some exciting adventures.... teaming up with a perfect stranger to drive 6 hours from interview A to interview B, then sleeping on no-longer-strangers couch a few day later for interview C. Being snowed in at Raleigh-Durham, forced to stay extra night at a shabby Motel 6, sick with fever and rigors. What misery! No story quite like Dr. G's (my OB/gyne). She came upon a laboring woman at the airport, and delivered the baby into her interview suit coat.

So I am keeping my mind open and hopes up to find the right place.

Report from Lobby Day

American Heart Association Lobby Day was Tuesday.

I crawled over Capitol Hill with 700 others, wearing red- and a fancy heart pin with LED lights that flashed on and off.

We lobbied for greater funding for NIH. Did you know that during the Clinton administration NIH funding was doubled, but then cut sharply seeing a flat line over the past five years. Accounting for inflation, we are now at a level of funding lower than we would have been without the increases in the 1990s.

NIH funding supports the majority of health related research. In my mind, this is very important because the alternative is drug company sponsored research. Pharmaceutical development is also important, but always driven in the direction of profits. Who would study the use of vitamins in the prevention of heart disease- the NIH that is who!

Last year only 12% of research proposals submitted were funded. That means 78% of scientists (people with MD and/or PhD) received a failing score- and were sent packing. Can we really afford to lose this much talent?

Furthermore although heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #3 killers in every state in the Nation.... of NIH dollars only 7 and 1% respectively are spent on heart research! We deserve a larger piece of the pie.

So Lobby Day was a success. I got to meet my favorite Senator and our Congressman. I spent the day with grateful patients. Far away from the hospital and research lab, I spread the word about something I care about- and got a little smarter through the process.

In a moment of introspection how did the state of research funding affect my decision to leave science? As generation X-ers we are blamed for being motivated by recognition and always looking out for ourselves. I am sorry, but after 12 years of extra training I cannot accept a job equivalent to what I could have done when graduating college with a BS in Chemistry in 1996. It is because I care that it has be so difficult for me.