Tiffany Williams, M.D.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – House Officer II
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
25, single
Why Michigan?
The University of Michigan has a great reputation for preparing its residents to be leaders in the medical community. The physicians within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) are noted researchers, teachers and overall physicians. They guarantee that I will be prepared to enter the field in whatever facet I choose: outpatient, inpatient, adult, pediatric, spinal cord, electromyography, amputee, you name it. Other programs around the country strive to emulate this one.
Describe a typical day.
| 7:30 a.m. | I arrive at the hospital (right now I am on Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, so I go to Mott) and discuss any overnight issues with the on-call resident. |
| 8:30 a.m. | See all patients and examine them. This is where I find out if they have had any new issues, questions or concerns. Sometimes, I might catch them working on their activities of daily living (ADLs) with the occupational therapist. |
| 9:30 - Noon | This is a very busy period, in which I get pages about any new consultations for pediatric PMR. I usually get consults from pediatrics surgery, neurosurgery, oncology or the general medical team. Any time a child has an injury in which they hit their head or have a loss of consciousness, the pediatric PMR service is consulted. This summer, I’ve seen a lot of spinal cord injuries from diving accidents and traumatic brain injuries from motor vehicle accidents or bicycle accidents. I also follow up on previous consults if those patients are admitted. |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Meet with attending physician for "gym rounds" in the physical therapy and occupational therapy area. Here we get to see, hands on, the progress of our patients. I learn so much, as my attending is able to point out physical exam findings and special techniques in a more detailed way than we are able to do at bedside. Our patients are also able to show their progress. |
| 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. | See new consults from the morning with my attending physician. Here I feel I also learn, because I am able to express what I would recommend for a patient and together we discuss standards of care and how that relates to my plan. |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Or up to 6:30 p.m. I finish work on my own patients, write orders, visit my patients again and answer any questions that they might have or that their family might have. I also call the consulting teams with recommendations from consults. |
What are your joys and your challenges throughout the workday?
I enjoy seeing my patients’ progress. No matter how small the achievement, it is always a joyous time. I was just as happy to hear my traumatic brain injury patient remember the date and time and her own name as I was to see my spinal cord injury patient walk for the first time since his injury.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I go to different cultural events, of which there are many. A few weeks ago, I went a festival at German Park. Once a month in the summer time at German Park, they celebrate the food and drink of Germany. I have never been to Germany, but it was interesting trying the different foods . . . I only knew of brats!
And of course, I went to the Ann Arbor Art Fair. I spent all day looking at the work of artists from all around the U.S. and the world.
If a prospective resident has free time in Ann Arbor while they're here interviewing, what would you recommend they do?
I would recommend going to an Ann Arbor restaurant, which are too numerous to name.
Being single, what's the best part about living in Ann Arbor?
- High population of single people
- Ease of finding things to do that match my interest
- Good nightlife scene
What are your plans for the coming year?
To visit other parts of Michigan and sightsee. I would love to see the Northern part of Michigan, which I heard is beautiful all year round. I want to discover areas to learn winter sports, like skiing or snowboarding.
Having been here for a while now, what is the number one reason you would recommend Michigan?
Michigan, specifically Ann Arbor, attracts all types of people. I feel that I have found a great place for residency, but also a great place to live after residency and begin my career.
