Sincerely, Dr. Cruz

One: Testosterone Galore

Four Years Later
Rhode Island Hospital: Providence, Rhode Island

This was real. I would walk into that hospital right this moment and be recognized as a doctor in training. Four long years of preparation led me to this—a residency at the largest hospital in Rhode Island. To think, in another four years, I would be an independent radiologist.

Here I was, fantasizing about the future again in my sedan. I needed to get into the hospital, more so the radiology department in the posterior of the building. Get yourself together Reina!

Not without a look in the mirror.

I opened the mirror in the sun visor and studied myself for a moment. I had ditched my glasses for contacts in my second year of medical school. Now you could truly see how green my eyes were without my glasses in my face. Speaking of my face, it was less chubby now. Stress? No, I just lost weight towards the end of my time in medical school. I was still short but there’s not much I can do about that really. My curly mane had been drawn back in a simple ponytail too. I looked different.

I was exploring.

It was refreshing, and the white coat I wore added to my self confidence. Oh yeah, I had some of that too now, by the way.

I don’t exactly remember what happened after graduation. A lot of the people I knew were scattered all over the country in their residencies now. In a way, I was proud to be one of the two students selected for this residency position. I didn’t want to leave Providence. Then again, I was also worried about who else I was to be with.

I got out of the car and walked into the hospital. Once I made it to the radiology department, I was immediately welcomed by the senior staff. It felt good to be here, like I actually belonged with these people.

“Hi, are you Reina Cruz?” A chirpy voice asked behind me.

I turned around to face a darker skinned woman with dark brown—almost black eyes and black hair like mine. “Yes, I am! And you are?”

“My name is Jaya Mohan. I’m an NYU graduate.”

I recognized her name to be Indian, which was cool. “That’s nice! This is your first year too, I suppose?”

“Yes, it is. We have an introductory meeting here in 10 minutes. You want to walk over together?”

I was already enjoying this. “Sure thing!”

*****
“And that is how the cycles work at this hospital. You all were selected for your unique attributes, so we expect the best out of all of you. Especially the older residents. Remember, your performance in your residency determines your job placement as well. I would like to think that all of you become successful radiologists one day, therefore I need all of you to be on time and ready to work. Any questions?”

As monotonous this man—sorry, the radiology coordinator Dr. Fordham was, I was too excited to fall asleep. Some older residents looked as though they were on the near edge however.

“Well if that is it, I will allow you all 15 minutes to get to know one another. In exactly 15 minutes I expect all of you at your assigned room. We will begin promptly.” The doctor with graying hair left the meeting room, leaving 8 residents alone.

“So, I believe that since we are the oldest it would make sense to begin with our introductions” A man with blonde hair and blue eyes stood up, and to be honest, he was rather chunky and was balding already. “For the two of you that don’t know me, I am Martin Pickett. I am a graduate of Yale and this is my fourth and final year as a resident. Sam, will you do the honors?”

The man that was regarded to as Sam stood up. “Hey guys! My name is Samuel Nichols and I’m also a fourth year resident. Oh, and I’m from the lovely Florida. I’ll hand it over to Mando.”

Now, an incredibly sexy (did I just think that?), totally bite-able (stop Reina!) man with dark hair and eyes stood up. He was well built and tall too. “My name is Armando Bernoulli and it is my third year in this residency. I originally came from North Carolina, and if you can’t tell I am Italian.” Boy was he Italian. “Brad?”

“It’s about time.” This guy instantaneously sounded like a jerk. “My name is Brad Stanley and I’ve been raised in Rhode Island. I am also a third year and don’t deal with nonsense.” He sounded snobby and stuck up. Ugh. He didn’t even call on the next person. He just sat down and crossed his arms.

I already don’t like him.

So the rest of the residents introduced themselves. Caleb Turner was a second year from Texas; Katrina was here too, which was a pleasant surprise. Jaya introduced herself, and it was time for me to go. I stood up, feeling a bit tall.

“Hello everyone. My name is Reina Cruz and I was born and raised in Rhode Island as well. This is my first year obviously and I look forward to working with you all.” I sat down as fast as I could. That wasn’t too cheesy right?

*****
Apparently it was too cheesy. Everyone took me for a bubbly toy package short girl, which I was not. Especially the jerk Brad. He couldn’t take me seriously. I swear, other than Kat, Jaya and I, there were practically no women in this department. Was radiant imaging that bad?

Towards the end of the day, I was sitting at my stationed desk area studying images of a compression fracture when I heard a nasal voice behind me. “Having any luck there, Cruz?”

I whipped around to come face to face with Brad. Now, not that he was horrendously hideous or anything, but his aura made him ugly. “I’m doing just fine thanks.”

“Really, because it seems as though you’ve spent the past twenty minutes studying one image. Do you realize that you need to get more done if you expect to get by any longer?”

“But I’m not—”

“Excuses won’t cut it Cruz. I don’t understand why you women even try. This isn’t your field. Shouldn’t you all be dealing with children in pediatrics? Just by looking at that x-ray you should know that it’s a—”

“Compression fracture. I know. Brad, I’ll have you know, I’m very serious about my choice of career, and I’m sure the other women are as well. This is the 21st century, and your chauvinist ideals won’t get you much further. The reason I’ve been staring at this x-ray for twenty minutes is because I’m submitting a diagnostic write up to Dr. Fordham. Any other questions or may I continue in peace?”

There. That should shut up him.

Brad’s face was slightly red. Muttering something under his breath, he paced out of the office.

Score one for Reina.

Dr. Fordham called Jaya and I into his office at the end of the day. He asked us to sit down.

“So far I am pleased with your work ladies. Your calls on various images have been accurate, and times have been met. I hope you both aren’t having trouble adjusting?” He said it as a question. When neither of us answered, he continued. “Well it is surely like that in the beginning. It will become more comprehensive as we go. I would just like the both of you to enjoy your learning time here, but not too much. We really need women in this testosterone stricken field.”

Testosterone stricken? Jaya and I both looked at each other with indifferent expressions, then back at Dr. Fordham.

“Tomorrow at 8:00 ladies. Good day.”

It had been a good day too, for the most part. I guess we’ll just have to see how things go in this “testosterone stricken field.” An image of Brad’s exasperated face flashed in my mind as I laughed while driving home.

AN:
This was the first update. I hope that it was pleasing to read.

What did you think about Reina’s change in appearance and sudden burst of confidence? Were you expecting Katrina to be here as well? And what about Brad?

 I just really want feedback guys : )