Neurosurgery Dinner 2012

Every year we attend the special event where the chief neurosurgery resident(s) graduate.  We have attended 6 of these dinners so far and watched all of the residents move on to various jobs but as our time for graduation gets closer it becomes increasingly likely that we might actually have our turn!! :) The end of residency has been so far in the future for a long time but now it is coming right up!

A year from now Dave starts his chief year (final year) of residency. At the same time he will also start applying for fellowship. He will apply to several programs, most likely they will be some or all of these cities: Boston, Philly, LA, Toronto, Stanford, Houston and UCSD of course. It remains to be seen where he will chose to go. I assume it will be his choice since I can't imagine anyone beating him out for the spot he wants!  There is a pretty good chance leaving San Diego will be the best for developing his surgical skills and also for him in opening his doors for future job choices.

What I didn't realize for all the years of looking forward to the end of residency is how stressful it will be to move and how attached we would be to home after such a long residency! We will be so sad to leave San Diego!!

Here are a few pics from graduation night!

This isn't an amazing picture but it is of most of the neurosurgery team - attending and residents

 This year they chose a new venue for the dinner downtown next to Petco Park. It had beautiful views of San Diego.  This was the view from the balcony into the stadium.

 The view of the Coronado Bridge and some of the bay.

Across downtown towards the other part of the bay! So beautiful!

 Dave and I -- isn't dave cute?

 Dave and Chiazo. Dave always trys to stretch himself to appear as tall as possible when being photographed with Chiazo. Dave is an inch or so taller but Chiazo has longer legs and wears ridiculous heals so she often has the appearance of being taller!  Chiazo is the same year resident as Dave. This upcoming year she is going to Shreveport Louisiana for a skull base fellowship and then she'll be back to start the chief year with Dave 12 months from now.