The past five weeks have zoomed by and I am loving the change in pace. Gone are the days of classes, homework, and tests. From morning to evening for five days a week, I’m a clinician tasting what real life could be like in one of many clinical settings.
My clinical rotation site this summer is Visionary Eye Care, a private practice with two locations – one in Andersonville and the other in the South Loop. My time at the practice is spent doing routine eye exams, contact lens fits and evaluations, lasik pre and post-ops, dry eye work ups and treatments, binocular vision management, macular degeneration evaluations, and more. My favorite thing about being a fourth year is the level of autonomy I have. In clinic, I can make my own decisions. Outside of clinic, I am free to spend my leisure time as I please. Well, until Part II and III start to creep up.
The Andersonville location, where I am stationed 4 days a week, is set amidst a bustling neighborhood of restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, galleries, bakeries, and more. In the past few weeks, exploring and getting to know more about the diverse and vivid Andersonville community has been a delicious treat.
Before the work day begins or somewhere in between, I delight in coffee trips to La Colombe. Their mochas are delicious and my weakness!
I usually bring a “brown bag” lunch, but on occasion check out what the neighborhood has to offer. I lunched at Polygon Cafe, a thai restaurant and sushi bar, with a opened wall perfect for people-watching and awkwardly responding to greetings from my patients. The shrimp tempura and spicy tuna maki were yummy and my first-try of thai iced tea was delicious!
There’s a lovely and often packed Swedish Bakery nearby where I’ve often disappeared into for mid-day treats. When National Donut Day rolled around, I popped in to claim one of the last two sugary fruit-filled pockets of goodness.
Across the street from Visionary, I got a manicure at Nail Palette complete with an oh-so-good neck and back massage which was so perfect after a long day at work. A few steps away is Marguerite Gardens, a ethereal flower shop with a expansive collection of glass and ceramic vases.
Throughout Andersonville, there are these neighborhood maps and history boards that are such clever touches. The Coffee Studio, just a few short blocks away, is another great caffeine cafe where I’ve savored delicious cold-brew iced coffee.
My favorite treat this summer has been at George’s Ice Cream and Sweets. The ice cream is delicious and the waffle cone is the perfect balance between chewy and crispy.
On one summery weekend (I do work on Saturdays but not on Mondays), the Andersonville Midsommarfest was in full swing. It was a treat to be front and center at the fest. During eye exams, concert music streamed in and wafts of grilled goodness touched our noses. So, it made perfect sense that during lunch break, I walked through the seemingly endless stands and indulged in a fresh and hot churro.
There are just five weeks left at my summer externship. I’m looking forward to further increasing my clinical experience, improving my skills, and learning from the doctors and a staff I have been enjoying working with, all while having a great time.