Howdy Beth!

I am so excited a friend introduced me to this blog! It is so refreshing to have a place where everyone understands what you are going through. My name is Beth and my husband, Matt, is a PGY2 in Orthopedic Surgery. He was a physical therapist for 5 years before entering medical school, so we are a bit older than the "traditional" resident and wife. We are in Greenville, South Carolina (moved from Kansas) in a community-based program that has also recently been university affiliated. It is a very busy hospital that serves a large region. We are blessed to be in such a beautiful location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, and be in a program that is very social, supportive and family friendly. Speaking of family, we have two boys...a 3 1/2 year old and a 21 month old. My oldest son was born MSII, and suprised us with Down Syndrome. He needed a lot of medical care including open heart surgery, but now is doing fantastic and in school! He was born just a few months before Step 1, so it was a very stressful time for us. My youngest was born fall of MSIV just in time for my husband to be gone all of the time traveling for interviews! Again, it was stressful and busy, but I think all of it prepared us well for juggling residency.

I practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist for almost 10 years before deciding to stay home once residency began. It was a HUGE adjustment for me, but after about a year I am finally adjusted and enjoy staying home. We have four more years to go, plus fellowship, but we are truly enjoying our time in South Carolina and have met so many wonderful people in residency that are and will always be dear friends. I am excited to read and learn more on this blog, and get to know all of you!

Beth Hollenbeck