On to the Next Chapter

It has been an unbelievable few months here in New Orleans. I am so grateful for the opportunities this program has provided me, whether it be stepping into the realm of clinical research or living in a new city and making so many great friends. I believe that the Pharmacology program has prepared me for the next step in my educational journey: medical school. Reflecting on some of my favorite moments during the past year, I can't help but smile about the winter formal. At the start of the year, many of the professors will tell you that it is the most fun event the department holds during the entire year.. and they are not wrong! Get ready Pharmacology Class of 2019 newbies to see your professors dance and jive like there is no tomorrow. If dancing is not really your thing, fear not!

The month of April in New Orleans can be defined by a fishy event: the crawfish boil. Every man, woman and child in the city seemingly attends at least one, if not more crawfish boils. I personally was able to attend two this month, and it was quite a unique experience, scrapping the crustaceans down to their minuscule savory meat. I even learned from some of my friends in the program how to eat crawfish faster.. a skill that came in handy as I tackled not one but two crawfish bowls at my final boil.

The city of New Orleans has often been regarded as a "weekend party town", and in many ways, it fits that mold. However, throughout the past year, different experiences have drastically expanded my perspective on this city. Obviously, New Orleans is a music city. Just go to the airport or even Harrah's casino and you will be greeted by a statue of the one and only Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Be sure to travel down Frenchman Street at some point during your stay in NOLA and open your ears to a symphony of sounds. Beyond the incredible music scene, I was blown away by the sense of community, whether it be the weekly prayer for community unity at church or the rooted drive for community improvement and volunteerism. The Pharmacology program expects its students to volunteer throughout the year and I have been amazed by the different ways my classmates have spent this year improving the lives of those in NOLA.

It's been a pleasure sharing my experiences in this city with you. I have been accustomed for years to living in a small town; however, the incredible people in this program made this city feel like my home away from home, and I will dearly miss them. Take the time to foster life-long friendships in this program. And please continue my class' pursuit of an IM championship. The legacy of our IM team, the Beta Blockers, MUST be carried on!

Thank you for listening to my long-winded blog post. Enjoy your time in NOLA in the Masters of Pharmacology program!

Regards,
Luke Mascarenhas
#I LOVE NOLA :)

April Hours: 10 hrs (volunteer at CTU clinic for RedCap project)
Spring Hours: 53 hrs
Program Total: 100 hrs

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