Author: Alena Hoover, PGY3
This past summer I had the opportunity to complete an away rotation in rural emergency medicine in Sitka, Alaska. This was one of my favorite experiences in residency. For a total of four weeks, I lived and worked on an island in Southeast Alaska. I left Alaska with a month of memories, a freezer full of fish and a new perspective on emergency medicine.
Southeast Alaska is made up of many islands. The town wherein I worked, Sitka, is a small town on an island called Baranof. The town itself is very small in comparison to the actual land area that makes up Baranof. Sitka is accessible only by boat or water, which is one of the qualities that makes it uniquely challenging to practice emergency medicine there.
During the summer, the island has a flurry of activity. Near daily, cruise ships arrive, and Sitka, whose population is only in the 8,000s, swells to accommodate thousands of more individuals. This means the emergency department keeps itself busy.
I cared for people from all over the US and the world. I administered thrombolysis for STEMIs. I reduced dislocated joints. I diagnosed strokes. I removed fishhooks, treated skin infections from open wounds exposed to sea water, and cared for patients who had come too close to a bear.
While much of the medicine was the same there, the art of delivering care was different. Treating a patient who is septic from a kidney stone when the specialist is two hours away by flight is different than having that same specialist in house. There were many days wherein I had to pause and readjust how I would approach a problem. The rotation was uncomfortable, but it forced me to grow as a physician and as a person. Luckily, I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of physicians, PA and nurses who were incredibly welcoming, patient and supportive of me as I navigated practicing medicine in a new system.
On my days off, I had my own fair share of fun (as well as a couple of unexpected encounters with a bear). I spent my time outside. I hiked long trails, took a boat to natural hot springs, spotted many whales, even went swimming in the ocean there. I left Alaska, knowing that I plan on going back someday. I am so grateful for my program leadership who helped me make this happen.
ACMC Emergency Medicine 