People of Hope Medical

I barrowed this picture from Dr. Place's webblog. It has most of the doctors from the clinic in it. Some of the Chinese people are recent graduates of the program, the others are current residents or staff. I have placed a link to his blog in my list of interesting web sites. The 3 western doctors present in the picture are from left to right, Dr. Chris Place, Dr. Matt Humphries, and Dr. Keith Morgan. The other American physician not present is Dr. Dean Sides.

Chicken and Green Peppers

So I realized that I thought to take the picture after I ate my meal, but word to the wise, be careful of a dish that has 3-4 times as many red hot peppers as pieces of chicken. The menu at E.S. Kimo (pronounced Eskimo) was in both Chinese and English. I think something must have been lost in the translation to English, because even though the name of the dish included green peppers, none were to be found when the plate came to my table. After two bites of chicken my lips were tingling. I am sure the locals in the restaurant had to be laughing inside a bit to see a westerner sweat like I did.

The Hill to My Flat

So I have learned that I do not stay in an apartment, but a flat. It reminds me of watching British t.v. My wife reminded me that I promised to show a picture of the hill to the Baptist Mission Compound where my flat is located. Below is a picture only half way up the hill. An old Portuguese fort is actually at the very top. The compound is just below the fort. The other picture is the view from just outside the gate of the Mission Compound.

Hope Clinic

This is the building where Hope Medical Clinic, down town office, is located. Their office is most of the 1st floor.

The time change…

I did not realize how much the time change would affect me. During my traveling day, I was up for more than 24 hours. Obviously I was tired when I went to bed that night, but it just felt like being post an on-call shift during normal residency routine. I slept well and woke up for church the next day feeling mostly rested. But since that time I have had trouble waking up early in the morning and needing to go to sleep early at night. It is somewhat frustrating to wake up at 4-5 AM and not being able to fall back asleep. I imagine that I will just be getting used to this by the time I leave to go back to Kentucky.

Drug rep, Macau style

Yesterday was a day of lecture for the Chinese resident doctors. The last lecture was a Gardasil representative. I found it very interesting; because back in Glasgow, at my residency, I listened to the Gardasil representative give the United States version of this talk. In Macau, the rep focused much more on how agencies like the FDA, EU Health Council, and other international organizations have supported it. They focused how multiple other governments have placed it as part of the national immunization programs. The cost of the vaccine is similar to in the U.S., thus making it rather expensive for the average person here to afford. The vaccine rep even brought food and pens, just like they do in the U.S. For those of you with medical interests, I will bring the vaccine product promotional material back with me for viewing.

A bit on Hope Medical

It is a clinic set up on the main peninsula of Macau. It has been a presence here for more than 20 years. Within the past month, a second clinic has opened on the island of Taipa. Currently, four American physicians serve as faculty, and another physician is preparing to join them later in the fall. The residency is a four year process after graduation from medical school. It is not required, but medical school in China lacks clinical hands on experience compared to U.S. education. The model is more of a “watch the expert and copy,” no questions asked. There also are a higher number of medical school graduates than post-graduate training programs. The Hope Medical program has 6 residents in total, divided throughout the different years. So far I have had the opportunity to both see patients and precept patients with the Chinese resident doctors.

A few picts

I found it funny that Lebron James was being used in Nike ads even here.

Below are some photos of preparations for the Chinese New Year.





I could not sleep yesterday morning, I went out sight seeing around the city. This is the first hospital set up by the Portuguese.

Two Days into things...

Things are colder here than I thought. I knew that it was going to be in the 40-50's range, but I did not think that the buildings mostly do not have indoor heat. So it is almost as cold inside as out. I find that I am drinking lots of hot tea and coffee to keep warm. Being that I have been living in a rural community for the past 2 years, the big city wow's me every time I walk out of the compound. The buildings are so tall, they are so close and people every where. The store signs are a mixture of Chinese characters, Portuguese, and English languages. The architecture is a combination of old European and new Asian styles. The streets are beginning to be decorated for the Chinese New Year. It is the Year of the Rat.

Yesterday I went to a church call Oasis. It is an international church with members from over 10 countries. This is alot since there were only about 30-40 people there. Today I woke up early and could not fall back to sleep. So finally I stopped trying to sleep and got up around 6:30 AM. I got around and hit the streets to explore the city. Every thing was closed for the most part. I am finding that the city is "late to bed, late to rise". I took some pictures, but have not loaded them onto my computer yet, I will post them in my next blog.

By the way, my luggage did make it!!! The only problem was with my cream of wheat. I brought it for hot, cheap breakfasts. Note to self ,put the box of cream of wheat in a zip lock bag when traveling. Only about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup spilled out into the suit case, but it was enough to make a minor mess.

Thanks again for all the comments, it is great to keep in touch with so many all at one time.

I am here!!!, Well in Hong Kong that is.

Well after a day of traveling I have arrived. Thank you to all that prayed for a safe flight. I am currently in Hong Kong airport waiting for the sea shuttle to Macau. My connection in Chicago was tight, I made it, but I am not sure my luggage did. The sea shuttle actually gets your bags for you and you go through customs in Macau. So as I sit here I have no idea if my luggage was on the plane with me.

Oh, by the way it was my birthday today. (Jan 25) The funny thing is, when a got on the plane in Chicago, I changed my watch over to Hong Kong time, and it was already Jan 26, so my birthday went fast. Kim had made me a great birthday card to read while on the plane. While on b-day notes, Happy birthday goes out to my mom ( Jan 26). We won't mention her age.

Thanks for all the responses to my blog thus far. It is very encouraging to know others are thinking and praying for me!!

The days are counting fast!!

It is Monday night and I leave on Friday morning. It seems the past 3 weeks have gone by so quickly. I have had a couple of interviews and a medical lecture to prepare since starting the New Year. These things have kept my mind from being completely focused on my China trip.

This past weekend my parents came down to celebrate my mother's and I's birthdays. Kim and I also were prayed over at church. It is good to know that others will be praying for us and thinking about us while we are in China.

I think the hardest part of about the trip, aside from the long travel and being in another country, is the potential time spent alone. Since Kim and Lucy are not joining me until the last 10 days of the trip, I will have a number nights by myself. My hope is that God will use this time to grow me, and that I will take time to listen to God.

11 Days and Counting

So, trip time is quickly approaching. Check back here for updates and information on my trip.