As our PGY-1 interns inch closer to their year anniversary, we wanted to check in and see how they have adjusted to life as WashU neurosurgery residents in St. Louis.
Andrew Coxon, MD, MSCI
What drew you to neurosurgery?
I feel that neurosurgeons can quickly establish a very special bond and trust with their patients. I love taking care of neurosurgical patients and managing the pathologies we see on a daily basis. I also think that we do the most interesting surgeries and deal with alluring anatomy.
What has surprised you the most about your residency so far?
The large amount of support and guidance I’ve received from my co-residents and faculty, as well as how eager our attendings are to get us involved in cases early.
Name one of your favorite books.
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
What is your favorite app on your phone?
Spotify
What is the last show you binged watched?
American Nightmare
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Urban Chestnut, Rockwell, Menya Rui, Balkan Treat Box, Forest Park, Bar K
Gabbie Johnson, MD, MSCI
What drew you to neurosurgery?
I knew that I wanted to pursue a surgical subspecialty going into medical school, but I fell in love with neurosurgery because it’s the organ system that we know the least about – there are still so many things to be discovered, and hopefully with those discoveries come therapies that we can implement to help those with neurologic disease. But in addition to the opportunity for research and innovation, the folks within the field of neurosurgery have been amazing and welcomed me with open arms from the very first day I expressed interest in the field. Seeing so many well-rounded, compassionate, technically skilled, and intelligent physicians who help patients on what may be the worst day/week/moment of their lives really spoke to me, and made me aspire to be like them.
What has surprised you the most about your residency so far?
I think what has surprised me the most was the sheer amount of knowledge that’s out there, and the amount of knowledge that our senior residents hold. It definitely feels a bit daunting as an extremely junior resident, but even in the span of our on service months this year, I feel like I’ve learned so much!
Name one of your favorite books.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
What is your favorite app on your phone?
The Kindle app! I have a kindle unlimited subscription, which is basically like Netflix for self published books, so there’s always something to read when the time is available!
What is the last show you binged watched?
Love is Blind
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Sauce on the Side – while I get the same thing every single time, it is by far one of my favorite places to eat in STL, in addition to House of India.
Nallammai Muthiah, MD, MS
What drew you to neurosurgery?
A few things. 1.) Neurosurgeons have the unique opportunity to take people through the lowest points of their lives and make a substantial difference, 2.) Neurosurgeons are the most dedicated, self-sacrificing, and compassionate people in the hospital, and 3.) The field of neurosurgery is a tight-knit community. It is an honor to be a part of it.
What has surprised you the most about your residency so far?
How much our residency cohort is a team: we stay late to help each other out, unconditionally.
Name one of your favorite books.
Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson
What is your favorite app on your phone?
Google photos
What is the last show you binged watched?
Monk
Where are a few of your favorite spots to eat or spend time at in St. Louis?
Setting up a hammock in Forest Park. Tower Grove Farmer’s Market. La Finca. Union Loafers.