Jessica Robbins, M.D.
Completed residency June, 2008
University of Michigan Medical School, Class of 2002
29, married (single when started residency)
One puppy, no children
Why Michigan?
I selected the University of Michigan because I wanted to train in a top-tier program AND I wanted to live in a town like Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan provides so much variety, in both the medical and cultural realms.
The medical community in Ann Arbor is extraordinary. Every clinical department touts national and global experts. Given the close relationship between the University and the medical community, we are involved in innovative research and have access to cutting edge technologies. In addition to the accolades that the University can boast about, we have an incredibly diverse patient population. Being a large referral center we provide care for patients with a multitude of disease processes, from new diagnoses to complex cases requiring the expertise that only a tertiary referral center can offer. Additionally, we have a network of satellite clinics which accommodate the routine primary care needs.
My decision to come to the University of Michigan for residency was not based solely upon the credentials of the Medical Center; my life outside of the hospital is equally important. Ann Arbor is a phenomenal place to live. Culture is drawn to this small Midwestern town as a result of the University. And, who could forget sports? Big 10 sports as well as the professional sports teams in Detroit.
In addition to the extracurricular activities, Ann Arbor is just a nice place to live. I always feel safe walking around town after dark, whether I am alone or with several friends.
Describe a typical day.
| 5:45 - 6:45/7:00 | I try exercise every morning. Even though it is tough to motivate for a morning work-out, at least I know it has been done for the day. |
| 7:15 - 7:30 | I am fortunate to live in Ann Arbor, only 3 miles from the hospital; my commute is a short one which allows me to spend less time in the car and more time doing other things. |
| 7:30 - 8:30 | Morning conference. |
| 8:30 - 11:45 | Work. As a radiology resident, this involves previewing and dictating the cases performed overnight and during the morning hours. After reviewing the cases myself, a staff joins me. |
| 11:45 - 1:15 | Noon conference. |
| 1:15 - 5:15/5:30 | Work. Same as in the morning. |
| 5:45 - 6:15/6:30 | Return home from work. Dog walk. |
| 7:30/8:00 | After dinner, I generally spend about 30 minutes catching up on e-mail and random paperwork, bills, etcetera before opening my text books. My goal is to read radiology-related materials for at least one hour a night. |
When I take call, I function as the senior radiology resident on call. From 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. my responsibilities include preliminary interpretation of all cross-sectional imaging performed in the Emergency Department, inpatient CT and Ultrasound, urgent and emergent inpatient MRI, all after-hours imaging studies performed at the VA hospital and any radiologic procedures performed at Mott Children’s Hospital. Generally, we are pretty busy when we are on call. Occasionally, I will have the opportunity to sleep for an hour if I am lucky. Fortunately, I am not expected to work the following day; my duties end at 8:00 a.m.
What are your joys and your challenges throughout the workday?
I love the diversity of the daily caseload at the University of Michigan. Regardless of the imaging modality or specialty, each case is different from the next. The variety is challenging because I will encounter either a disease process that I am not familiar with or an unusual or atypical presentation of a common entity. Often, I will learn more from my cases on a given day than I will strictly from a text book.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
My husband and I enjoy our weekend morning walks to Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown which is about 2 miles from our house. The market is always bustling. Vendors come from several of the surrounding communities with handmade soaps, honey, bouquets of flowers, seasonal fruit and vegetables and garden plants. Additionally, there are several regular artists who bring wood crafts, oil paintings, glass, hand woven baskets and unique hand bags.
On the way to Kerrytown, we’ll often stop for coffee at the Jefferson Market. The Jefferson Market is a tiny convenience store and café located in the middle of a beautiful residential neighborhood in the Old West Side. The community dog water bowl outside of its door, the crafty children’s toys in the large front windows and the homemade flyers for home cleaning, child care and pet grooming services are some of the first cues that this is a one-of-a-kind establishment which blends seamlessly into the Ann Arbor community.
If a prospective resident has free time in Ann Arbor while they're here interviewing, what would you recommend they do?
My recommendations are variable depending on what the prospective resident enjoys. Suggestions include the following:
1. The University of Michigan campus is a classic college campus and is beautiful to explore. The central campus is close to the hospital and is an easy walk. A few of the highlights include the law quad, the Union and Michigan League, University Art Museum, the “Diag”, State Street and the athletic campus.
2. If the undergraduate campus doesn’t interest you, downtown Ann Arbor is just beyond central campus. Just a 15-20 minute walk from the hospital, or an easy cab ride. You can stroll down Main Street for an hour before you catch a plane, you can spend an evening here or an entire day! Kerrytown and the Old West Side are other fun places to visit.
3. Maybe you’d like to enjoy the natural side of Ann Arbor by visiting the Arb, Gallup park or a drive along the Huron River.
What's the best part about living in Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor’s diversity; there are always ample choices for singles, couples and families.
What are your plans for the coming year?
After this academic year, I have one more year of my residency. Once I have completed my residency, I will be pursuing a fellowship in either pediatric radiology or body imaging.
Having been here for a while now, what is the number one reason you would recommend Michigan?
Ann Arbor offers the whole package: a great place for a medical education and a great place to live.
