When we first moved to the U.S., one of my teachers told me that I was pronouncing my own name wrong and it was supposed to be pronounced "Nay-o-me" and basically renamed me. I'm here now to say that my name is actually pronounced "Now-me" as my parents intended. 🧵1/6
I feel like I say this like once a month now, but all jobs are jobs. If you die today they will email a one-pager of how amazing you were and then post your job on a recruiting site. MAYBE your family will get a fruit basket. Prioritize your life outside of work.
I am a doctor now and my medical license has been issued by the state of Washington. I prescribe everyone who reads this one tasty treat. It's crucial for your health.
Insurance won't cover it though so you will have to pay out of pocket. Sorry.
Brought my partner to the ED for what I suspected was appendicitis. CT confirmed. Stayed overnight. First thing the surgical PA says when he comes into the room this AM is "What's with the masks?! You guys afraid of getting sick?!"
Sir, we're literally in a building of sick?
My dad is in Seattle from Congo for my graduation on Saturday
Dad: You have to wear this fabric I brought you around your neck at graduation so everyone knows you are African
Me: My name is Naomi Tweyo Nkinsi. I think people will know
Dad: They won't say it right
😂😂😂😂😂
My dad is in Seattle from Congo for my graduation on Saturday
Dad: You have to wear this fabric I brought you around your neck at graduation so everyone knows you are African
Me: My name is Naomi Tweyo Nkinsi. I think people will know
Dad: They won't say it right
😂😂😂😂😂
Another update on my adventures of learning to swim as an adult.
I can now swim half a mile (with flip turns) without having to take breaks. That's 44 pool lengths at my local YMCA pool. Swimming has become a new obsession and I even got a waterproof MP3 player and headphones.
I'm registering for adult swim classes! I first tried learning to swim in Cameroon. The instructor threw me into the deep end of the pool and my brother had to jump in and drag me out when I didn't surface. Very much looking forward to having a better relationship with water.
Are there female docs out there that can confirm that they found a loving supportive partner after med school and were able to have kids cuz I'm 27, in med school, and just had a conversation that has spiraled me into panic.
Just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus.
Now back to continue fighting for a rescue package including a lot more money for distribution so more Americans can receive it as fast as possible.
My
#BlackintheIvory
story got a little brighter. I read a racist email that was sent to me by a dean in front of 200 classmates and other admin. I demanded a written and detailed personal apology from him. It arrived in my inbox today. It's not nearly enough, but I feel powerful.
I had pre-ordered a slice of my favorite cake to eat today regardless of the outcome. Very excited that I'll officially be a family medicine physician AND have cake!
#Match2023
#FMRevolution
To white/non-BIPOC folks in academia asking yourself if you ever contributed to the things being discussed in
#BlackintheIvory
, let me assure you that the answer is yes. It was probably just something so inconsequential to you that you don't even remember it. 🧵
Once I said that I'm a doctor he quickly let it go. Lucky to have that privilege in healthcare settings because folks definitely do treat you better, it's just annoying to have to use it.
Anyways, I'll stay masking with my patients. It's really not bothersome .
@sohosatan
I had a date where a guy brought me to a vintage market to have me help him find an anniversary gift for the woman he was having an extramarital affair with. I was like.....huh?
@jack_turban
@Harvard
Respectfully Dr. Turban, I truly don't think those days existed ever for people of color, particularly Black people. I'm assuming your boyfriend in college was also a white man or at least not a Black one and that's why this was able to occur.
It's me, a primary care doctor, waiting in urgent care because I can't get an appointment with my primary care doctor, who by the way also can't get an appointment to be eastablisjed with their own primary care doctor. 🙃
It can't be stated enough that "professionalism" in medicine is coded language for proximity to cis, straight, white, able-bodied older male standards. Grading on such a variable is inherently discriminatory towards minority groups and should be eliminated.
My mom contracted malaria when she was pregnant with me, and as a result I was born very small, very sickly, and told I wouldn't survive. My mom has moved mountains to get me where I am today. I'm so blessed to be her daughter and so happy to be staying close 🥹
Now that I'm done with medical school, I can say that the best thing incoming students can do for themselves is to get a therapist EARLY. Many schools, like mine, offer them for free. I was skeptical when I met my therapist, Cliff, and now he's one of my favorite people.
Dr. Nkinsi, M.D.,M.P.H and the original Dr. Dr. Nkinsi, M.D.,M.P.H
My dad went to medical school in the Democratic Republic of Congo where he practiced as a rural full-spectrum generalist. He was never able to practice in the United States. Now I get to continue his legacy.
It's a small thing, but there's a puffer fish in the hospital that I say good morning and goodnight to daily and he's been looking near his end as of late. He seemed a little better today which made me unreasonably happy. We gotta make it through residency together.
My boyfriend took me to do a grad photoshoot and offered that I do photos in places I spent a lot of time in during med school....so here is me confused in lecture hall, fighting with my anatomy lab locker, and asleep in the student lounge
Update: I can now swim a continuous mile with flip turns (88 pool lengths at my YMCA). Swimming has been such a great source of joy, confidence, and relaxation. Learning to swim is well worth it and it's never too late.
I'm registering for adult swim classes! I first tried learning to swim in Cameroon. The instructor threw me into the deep end of the pool and my brother had to jump in and drag me out when I didn't surface. Very much looking forward to having a better relationship with water.
If you have Palestinian students or colleagues please know that they are experiencing trauma and heartbreak. There's nothing so important that you can't allow them the space to grieve and rest.
I posted in my neighborhood's "buy nothing" Facebook group about how I wanted to start knitting as a hobby for stress relief and this complete stranger put together a gift packet for me of yarn and needles. People are so kind 😭
I can't believe some people my age have entire careers and lives and I wake up every morning and put on my lil' backpack, make my lil' lunchbox, and go to school 😭😂
Matched at my top choice on my grandma's birthday 🥹
She wasn't able to be with me in person, but I know she and my other ancestors are cheering me on. I couldn't have made it this far without her.
#Match2023
#WWAMIMatch
#FMRevolution
It's a small thing, but there's a puffer fish in the hospital that I say good morning and goodnight to daily and he's been looking near his end as of late. He seemed a little better today which made me unreasonably happy. We gotta make it through residency together.
Dating in the PNW is hard because everyone is super into camping for some reason? I don't want to do it, I pay rent to sleep and poop indoors. I'm sorry. Take this as one of my fun quirks.
TL;DR my name is pronounced "Now-me" not "Nay-o-me"
No worries if you said it wrong, There's a 100% chance I introduced myself wrong because of weird internalized hangups. I'm working on it. 6/6
Congratulations to this fantastic class!
Let the comments on here be a reminder to my fellow incoming interns that you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT use your personal phone, address, or email to register for your NPI number as it will become public information and people are deranged.
Residency overall is *not great* but unlike med school you do get a paycheck which means you can get yourself little treats like orange shoes to temporarily make it feel less *not great*
Today,
@UWMedicine
announced that it will no longer use race to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate. This move has been credited to students such as myself and those on the Anti-Racism Action Committee who made our concerns known. I'm elated. This time, we won.
Today my attending pointed out to me what was probably the most anatomically perfect appendix while in the OR and asked me to identify what it was. In my panic, I loudly replied "that's the bladder!" So anyways I have to dropout now.
I think we need to better communicate what goes on behind the scenes in primary care and why offices run late. I used to feel like this until I was on the other side.
It's usually not the doctor's fault or purposeful. Most would prefer to run on time and not do notes at home.
I love how doctors are like, if u arrive more than 5 min late we reserve the right to cancel your appointment, but if u arrive on time we have the right to make u wait for hours to see the doc
The term "first-gen" is for those who are the first in their family (parents & grandparents) to go to undergrad.
This whole "first-gen" PhD, doctor, lawyer stuff that people are claiming is purposely disingenuous. Like...be for real.
Can we stop with the "third world country" stuff?? Lacking basic necessities like this shouldn't be viewed as acceptable anywhere in the world. Just say the situation in Texas is bad. That's enough to get the point across.
This is not a third world country. This is Houston, Texas. I spotted a line of people filing up buckets of water from a spicket at Haden Park. Why? Millions either have no water or are under a Boil Water Advisory.
Surgeons will spend the day elbow deep in people's innards and goopity-goop and then walk around afterwards like everything is normal??????? And I'm kinda into it????Someone explain.
Have you ever been on a first date where the guy asks you to help him find a 6 month anniversary gift for another person he's seeing because I now officially have
Not gonna lie, after being labeled "unprofessional" by faculty and students alike for being outspoken, it feels really good that the family medicine department has awarded me a professionalism award to directly counter that narrative. My people.
@joyli1039
I honestly think it should be standard at schools to have phonetic pronunciation listed on attendance sheets. Kids shouldn't be put in the position to defend their own names and often are too scared to correct adults.
Nothing more rewarding as a full spectrum family med doctor than delivering a baby and then getting to watch it slowly transform into a big chunky, rolley polley, Michelin man looking lil thing over serial well child checks.
You guys I just got admitted into University of Washington's MPH program in global health! I'll be Dr. Naomi Tweyo Nkinsi MD/MPH!!!!!
@MedStudentTwitter
Truly did not expect this to blow-up like it did. I gave a pronunciation guide so hopefully things will work out. And yes, I will be wearing the fabric. He brought multiple options for me to choose actually :)
I had my mid-clerkship evaluation today for surgery and I'm on cloud nine! For whatever reason I never thought this was possible for me, but perhaps
#ILookLikeASurgeon
as well!
Not a major medical journal saying that racism doesn't exist because that would be illegal?!?! I wish someone had told me, would've saved myself a lot of trauma.
I need to go calm down
My attending who is like super famous in his field told me I'll be an incredible doctor and gave me a fist bump WITH explosion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My soul has ascended!!!
I was awarded the 2023 Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award! A commissioned officer was sent to present it to me at a ceremony earlier today and I was presented with a challenge coin!
@SgtDGumby
@InsaneRedhead13
Just block his number, there's no need to respond. This seems like someone who would escalate when confronted. I get the urge to tell him what's what, but realistically it won't change his mind and just takes your energy and it may set him off. Nothing weak about walking away.
I got a new primary care doctor today and she's a Black woman with blue and purple locs who recently graduated from the same residency program that I'm starting at in a couple of weeks. This makes me so happy and hopeful!
Goes for anybody, but I'm speaking directly to my fellow resident physicians. If you always seem absurdly sleepy (more than co-residents with similar workload), get a home a sleep study. I thought I was falling apart and it turns out I have moderately severe sleep apnea lol.
High school classmates: "I can't believe my baby turns three years old today! Our family was only completed once you arrived."
Me: Maybe I SHOULD try putting an uncrustables sandwich in the air fryer after all?????
I'm in clinic today. My 75+ year old attending preceptor walked in and asked me if I'm having a brat summer. The reach of the youth is both wide and dangerous.
I say all this because my Spidey senses are telling me that a lot of you are reading these posts as a way to say to yourself "okay, well I've never done that, I'm good." If this is you, you've already missed the point and I ask that you please read this thread again.
I've introduced myself as "Nay-o-me" for so long and never correct people. Outside of my close friends, family, people typically don't pronounce my name correctly, and I never really bothered to do anything about it. 2/6
The term "natural birth" is judgemental and causes undue shame in cases where c-section is the safest mode of delivery. It also pushes the idea that wanting pain relief during labor is somehow wrong and leads to senseless suffering when we have the medical means for comfort.
And because I know people will say "Well why is it spelled that way then?" It's only in the US that I've had people pronounce it "Nay-o-me" so I actually don't think it's that unique of a pronunciation worldwide. Also, I didn't pick the spelling. 5/6
Right now, I really don't have the space for anything anti-Biden or anti-Harris. We need to get this man out of office and that's what I'm centering my thoughts on. I've been so exhausted and I just want to celebrate the little victory that our next VP could be a Black woman.
I'm pro-abortion. Pro abortion on demand, for any reason, at any time. Pro having plentiful, well resourced, and well funded centers to provide said abortions. Pro abortion with or without the influence or consideration of the non-pregnant partner's opinion on the matter. Yup.
Albert, one of my best friends from high school and my family would always keep pushing me to introduce myself correctly and correct people, but I just never had the confidence and didn't want the hassle. I'm pretty over that now. 4/6
I was asked to be the student speaker at the white coat ceremony for incoming students and I think my speech has hit the perfect balance of "TEAR DOWN THE MEDICAL SYSTEM TO MAKE IT BETTER" and "this is the greatest journey you will embark on"
Instead ask yourself "What am I doing to unlearn racism and what are policies in my own practice that I can change to be more anti-racist," because I pinky promise that you are either actively or passively part of the problem. That's just the reality.
Excited to finally share that I was one of the 30 students selected to receive the 2021 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans!! You can find me and my co-fellows on page A11 of today's NYT!
Blessed to have friends who will wake up early to do a photoshoot 😂
We're thrilled to announce the 2021 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows: 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—pursuing graduate school, who exemplify the extraordinary contributions of immigrants to the United States. 🗽🇺🇸🎓
This was my hobbies section. Everyone commented on it and it led to fun conversation. Hobbies don't have to be expensive or extravagant. You just have to be able to talk about something. Anything.
Disappointed to confirm that the AAMC has removed the “Hobbies & Interests” field from the 2024 ERAS application. It might seem trivial, but that small field had value, and it’s going to make interviews less interesting and personal.
Consider the inherent sexism in this statement. Women are disproportionately burdened with household duties and childcare. The people who are able to sacrifice family time to stay late are more likely to be men whose partners carry this burden for them.
I have had students and residents that want to get out as soon as possible to see their family and others that are willing to spend an extra few to spin the urine or walk down to the ER to see the patient with the sodium of 103.
I know which ones I would want to care for me.
@pedsmd2b
Was uncomplicated enough &w/out stone that we could opt for IV abx followed by outpt abx for 10 days with return precautions and go on with our planned vacation. Feeling much better.
Just a weird encounter. Once I mentioned I'm a doctor there was an attitude shift.
When I was younger and my parents would correct other kids and adults, I'd actually get made fun of A LOT (by both) because it was "strange" or "hard to pronounce," so I would actually get embarrassed when my parents and friends said my name correctly in public. 3/6
I know I will likely end up liking my next rotation, but it's really tiring to have to start from scratch every 4 weeks at a new hospital, new team, new rules, having to learn new people to avoid, and often contradicting expectations. The lack of stability is exhausting.
*CW: mental health*
I'm disappointed to see physicians with large platforms equate mental health crises to "pulling a mental health card" to get out of responsibilities. This narrative isn't just plainly wrong, but a deadly one that needs to end.🧵
After good conversation with a classmate today I've realized how angry I am about the collective hours of rest myself and other Black students have been robbed of because we always have to be fighting. We're fed crumbs and then asked why we're still hungry. It's shameful.
I'm on my OB/GYN rotation and today I went in for my first c-section. I don't even know how it happened but I ended up doing a newborn exam instead 😂
Cutest little patootie I've ever seen.
The
@American_Heart
published a piece arguing that URM medical students are, as a whole, underqualified to be admitted into medical school and admitted due to race-based leniency.
A major medical org basically just said "You only got in because you're Black"
#medtwitter
not a full physician arguing that underrepresented minority students arent properly qualified to be in medical school,
@American_Heart
anything but that