Dr. Paul Anderson

Besides gathering all of our things for the big move out to Pittsburgh, another big event we were preparing for was Paul’s graduation from the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health!  After four years of hard work, numerous tests, long hours of clinical rotations, moving around the state to different rotations, he crossed the finish line!  It was a wonderful event and started early in the morning.  I got dressed up and went over to Paul’s house to pick up Paul and his parents in the Hyundai.  I forgot to mention that Paul’s dad tore his rotator cuff recently and is slowly recovering from a very delicate and impressive laparoscopic surgery.  He had some large tears in his shoulder and is working hard to recover and get back to work and life.  He’s in a sling and is currently managing to do everything one handed.  I was hoping that my car would be big enough to allow him to move freely in and out of the tiny doors.  They had the van with a trailer which isn’t the easiest to take downtown, so we decided to try the Hyundai on for size.

Thankfully we all fit snuggly in the car and made our way to the memorial union theater.  Jack, Kathy, and I went upstairs to find a seat in the balcony.  I am sure it seemed like yesterday that they were there for the white coat ceremony.  How fast the past four years have gone!  I met Paul while he was studying for Step 1 and now he’s an official doctor.  It seems like yesterday.  

UW-SMPH Departments Represented!

DeVita gave an excellent speech, humility is key.

The ceremony was beautiful.  As we walked in, a small quartet was playing on stage.  Then UW faculty walked and lined the stage, representing every department in the medical school with Dean Golden, Dr. Patrick McBride, and the chosen class speakers.  In walks the UW-SMPH class of 2011, Paul Anderson was second in line with a front row seat for the wonderful speeches that were to follow.  Then the students lined up to receive their scarlet and green hoods to signal Doctor of Medicine.  Paul and DeVita had to bend down a bit to allow the hoods to be placed over their heads.  It was fun to see everyone crossing the stage and shaking hands.  

Paul was second to walk across the stage, Congratulations!

Tall boys of the class, DeVita and Anderson!

After a large, warm round of applause for the graduating physicians of 2011, we filed outside to watch the class photo and take a few pictures by Memorial Union.  You could smell the brats frying and there were already pouring beers for people who were camping out on the terrace for graduation Friday.  We posed for pictures, went through the brunch line a few times, and then walked back to the ramp to bring Paul back to his apartment so he and his parents could load up the van and trailer.  I went back to my house to do some odds and ends before the evening gathering!

No graduation is complete without the union chair, Paul fit well!

In the afternoon, we all met up at Starbucks to get the half price Frappucunios that were on special, and then Jack, Kathy, Paul, and I went across the road to grab a bite to eat.   We weren’t particularly hungry, and probably should have skipped Panera Bread as well, but it was fun to chat over soup and salad.  After hanging out, we had my mom drop us off at the new Union South for the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association dinner!  It was our first time in the new campus building and we are sad that we won’t be able to use it more, because it’s amazing.  Paul went off exploring the building and found a nice sports bar that’s set up similar to Memorial Union.

We sat with Ravi, T Chang, and Josh Block for dinner right by the buffet.  We weren’t expecting there to be such a big spread, but we had our fill again!  Paul walked away with two plates, carbo loading for the Cellcom Marathon!  I was able to chat it up with Ashley (recently returned from Europe with Foley!) and Anna to catch up on some laughs.  The dance floor opened up and Paul and I only went out for a dance or two before running down the road in heels to catch our safe ride.  

Paul and Ravi, tank mates!  We'll be visiting Iowa hopefully soon!

Mike, Ashley, Me, Paul  - Roomates parting ways...

It is hard to believe that the evening gathering might be the last time we see some of Paul’s med school buddies for a while, at least until reunions!  It has been so much fun getting to know everyone and meet all of the wonderful people in the UW-SMPH 2011 class.  I am excited to meet the residents Paul is going to be working with out in Pittsburgh, in addition to the incoming medical school that I will be joining!  What an exciting beginning as we say goodbye to Wisconsin.