Jaime Schrenk, D.O...finding balance in her medical career and her personal life

In 7th grade at Holy Guardian Angels School, Jaime (Etchberger) Schrenk's English assignment was to read about a person who inspired her. She chose Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Jaime chose her because even then, she knew that Elizabeth was her inspiration...she too wanted to become a doctor. 

That desire was not just a whim. After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1994, Jaime became a Blue Hen at the University of Delaware. She earned a B.A. in Biomedical Science, graduating in 1998. She was on her way to fulfilling her dream, but it was not necessarily easy. She entered UD as a PreMed student, and the first semester was rough. She wondered whether this was the career for her...but she remembered her family physician,  professors, her parents and (maybe) Elizabeth Blackwell ---and she drew strength and motivation from them. 

She applied to and was accepted by the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and her 4 year Medical School adventure began. It was as grueling as we all think it is, but Jaime persevered AND planned her wedding during this time. She was married to her husband Mike during her 3rd year of Medical School. Her first son, Matthew, was born in 2005 during her third year of Residency; the balance of her life began as Mike took paternity leave to make this all work.

Osteopathic Medicine....Jaime is a D.O rather than M.D.

D.O's are trained the same way as M.D. and can perform the same functions such as prescribing drugs, performing surgery, and using medical technology. They do Residency and Internship training as well. Jaime's focus in Residency was Family Practice. According to the American Osteopathic Association website, " a D.O.receives special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body's interconnected systems of nerves, muscles and bones." Jaime explained how sometimes a bit of hands-on manipulation may help with something like a sinus infection. She verified what the website says:

"Osteopathic physicians focus on prevention, tuning into how a patient's lifestyle and environment can impact their wellbeing. DOs strive to help you be truly healthy in mind, body and spirit -- not just free of symptoms."

This balanced, holistic (the whole person) approach in medicine seems to fit in with Jaime's personality and approach to life.

 I see the balance in her family. Jaime's 2nd son, Luke, was born in 2009. Jaime was seeking a position that could fulfill her passion for medicine and her family responsibilities.
After her first position with a Hospitalist Group in geriatrics (the care of older people), she moved from Delaware to Reading; she initially worked as an attending physician for Genesis Health practicing geriatrics at 2 local nursing facilities. After that she took a separate job as a medical director for Compassionate Care Hospice which she did for 7 years.

This schedule could be hectic, and after 7 years Jaime was looking for a change. Her boys are a huge part of her life, and she loves to volunteer at their school. While she was able to do this, she recently had a chance to make another change. Jaime is now a Primary Care Physician for Penn State Health St. Joseph at the Spring Ridge Health Corridor.

That is Jaime on the far right

About 8 years ago, a stressful life situation became motivation for Jaime to seek ways to end some tension. She took it to the streets----in the form of running. Like many other runners, it started out as a means to feel better mentally, then the physical benefits became apparent. Anyone who enjoys and participates in regular physical activity understand the effect of those endorphins that are released after exercise, making pain seem less and stress...well, less stressful! Jaime was hooked. She began competing in both half and 4-5 full marathons. She will get up early (way early) before the boys are up to fit in her run. Balance, once again, to make things work.

She wins, too!

While Jaime enjoys a nice piece of cake like the rest of us, she strives to eat healthfully and she prepares meals that promote healthy living. I was amused when she recently shared her attempts, but kids are kids........

She described what she prepared for that night's dinner: linguine, chicken, and broccoli in Asian peanut sauce. Wow--I was impressed!

Her boys insisted on adding the banana.....

Whatever works! Go with the flow...

Balance.

Jaime has proved that cliche that hard work pays off. She has a fulfilling career and a warm family life. She advises students to pursue the dream that they have--hers started way back in grade school

(and by the way, I'm very proud to say that I was the teacher who assigned the Elizabeth Blackwell project.)  She reflects that each day she is doing what she dreamed of doing.

She also wants students to know that there is balance and sanity (my words) in such a demanding profession. Her office hours at Spring Ridge are Tuesday and Wednesday 8-1 and Thursday 8-5. That sounds like just enough time to go on a field trip!

     **************************************************************************************

I'm off to the Big Apple for some literary tours (Poe included) and to interview 4 fantastic New Yorkers!

Law and Order? The Practice? Suits?

 or How to Get Away with Murder?

Just like there are endless law shows on TV, there are many different ways to practice law.
Meet two young professionals who can help shed some light on the reality of a law career.

Teresa Reifsnyder, Esq.

Teagan Gregory, Esq.

Teresa and I met for lunch; Teagan graciously emailed his answers. 
(Teagan, I'll have to catch you at a Baltimore eating establishment and buy you a"refreshment" next time I'm there!)

My former student, Teresa (Marino) Reifsnyder (CCHS class of 2002) and Teagan Gregory, a close friend of my son-in-law, Colin Craft, helped me understand so much more about the world of a lawyer and what it takes to get there. I like to ask my interviewees if they knew in high school if they wanted to pursue the profession. In Teresa's case it was a definite yes---and why? "I enjoy competition, to win, to be right!" she laughed.  It seemed an easy and obvious choice to attend Catholic University and earn a BA in Politics with a Minor in Spanish.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2006.

Teagan's father is a lawyer, so he always had the idea in his mind, but he is also interested in a career in government or the military. Teagan graduated  Summa Cum Laude from the University of Delaware in 2009 with a BA in International Relations and Minors in Philosophy, Religious Studies, and East Asian Studies.

Undergrad (college) was only the beginning.....Next up, Law School.

To get in? "It is really hard," Teresa states, and I think this is something prospective lawyers must know. It's like when you're at the top of the class in 8th grade, and you are now in Honors classes in high school--now everyone is at the top and suddenly there's work to do! 

First, one must take (and pass) the LSATS (Law School Admission Tests), which is a 3 hour test on reading comprehension and logical thinking. "The score is it, " Teresa emphasized.  Needless to say, intense study and preparation is involved, all while (for many) still completing college assignments. 

One word of advice from Teresa. "It's a humbling experience. It's very competitive...students are ranked by their score." Again, this is something an aspiring lawyer should know. If you thrive in a situation like this, then you're in the right field.

Fast forward ....Teresa was accepted at the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Teagan attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2012.  It's a 3 year program with "an intense work load." There is a lot of reading and writing, mostly to be prepared for class. Teresa  emphasized that there aren't tests or quizzes for classes--just one exam at the end which determines the grade. They both earned their Juris Doctor degree.

Law School...check. Now you're a lawyer!...Not yet. 

NOW one must pass the BAR exam, which determines if one is qualified to practice law.

It's a 2 - day exam: Day 1 is 6 hours of essays (Teresa pointed this out, probably since I was once her English teacher)  and Day 2 is 6 hours of multiple choice exams. 

DID SHE SAY 6 HOURS OF ESSAYS ???????? This is where, according to Teresa, one "must be an excellent writer." 

(I must pause and say this is where I felt a sense of self-satisfaction for me and my fellow teachers of the written word....it really DOES help to keep writing, to keep practicing!) Thanks, Teresa.

I learned that the "bar' reference is somewhat literal: if one passes he or she is  a "member" of a group of people who are allowed to work in front of the bar that separates the courtroom.  You are not a lawyer until you pass it, and after you do, you now become, "Esquire," or Teresa Reifsnyder, Esq. and Teagan Gregory, Esq."( If I worked that hard I would want those letters too!)  Teagan pointed out that the BAR exam is state specific, meaning if an individual takes the exam in Pennsylvania he or she can only practice there. He is currently licensed to practice law in Delaware and Washington, D.C. 

The Capitol Building in Harrisburg

(I just thought it was time to add an official-looking building)

Teresa is a Family Law attorney for JSDC Law Offices in Hershey, PA. Her work involves divorce procedures, child custody and child support cases, prenuptial agreements (agreements made by a couple before they marry about financial arrangements if the marriage would not last), and adoption. She doesn't have a "typical" day, but spends 5-6 days a month in the courtroom. Her work is driven by the current case she is working on (although she deals with about 20 active files at a time.) Her preparation involves meeting with clients (to assess a case and to prepare a client for the courtroom), writing letters, and taking phone calls. Her greatest reward? "When we win," she replied--emphasis on WE, not I. Teresa says clients win cases; her job is to just "highlight what is real." 

What is challenging? "Managing clients and making them have realistic expectations. It's hard to tell them something is not going to happen. It's hard to be honest in an emotional situation."

Life events have prepared Teresa for this career, and she advises students to take advantage of situations. She believes studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity for independence (She studied in Spain) and she has worked at several internships, some paid and some not.  


I'm going to let Teagan speak for himself......

THESE ARE THE FINAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM TEAGAN'S INTERVIEW. 

9. Where do you currently practice? What kind of law do you practice? 

I work in Washington D.C. at a firm that focuses on litigation with an emphasis on trial work.  Generally speaking, law can be divided into two main categories: litigation and transactional.  Litigation is maybe best described as the type of law people see on television.  When people or companies have a dispute, one party can file a lawsuit (or, in the criminal context, the government can bring a case), and litigators are the lawyers responsible for managing those matters, filing pleadings and motions, conducting trial or arbitrations or mediations, etc.  

Transactional lawyers, on the other hand, do things like drafting legal agreements, assisting in real estate transactions, and advising clients on how to structure and manage business affairs.  

There are also other types of law that arguably don’t fit within either the litigation or transactional definitions.  For example, regulatory law (focusing on interactions with government agencies), trusts and estates, and tax law.

Most of my work is intellectual property litigation (resolving disputes over patent rights), antitrust litigation (resolving disputes about allegedly noncompetitive business practices), and complex commercial litigation.  I’ve also done some criminal work and actually tried a murder case last year.

10. Did you consider another type....do you see yourself "changing" your area ? (I hope I'm making sense!)

Not really.  I realized pretty early on that I wanted to litigate and, more specifically, wanted to be a trial lawyer.  One thing many people don’t appreciate is that not all litigators have a lot of trial experience.  In fact, many lawyers have little to no experience actually trying or arbitrating a case.  Most civil cases settle, and most criminal cases result in a plea deal.  Trial experience is increasingly difficult to come by, but it’s what I most enjoy about my job, and I’m lucky enough to work at a firm perhaps best known for its trial work.

11. Is there a typical day for you? 

I’m usually working on several cases or potential cases simultaneously (unlike on television), and many cases can last for years (also unlike television).  Depending on what stage those cases are in, I or my colleagues might be learning about the facts of the case or the relevant industry, doing legal research, interviewing witnesses, writing briefs to file with the court, deposing witnesses, or preparing for trial.

12. Do you have partners? 

Most law firms (again, generally speaking) have partners and associates.  I’m an associate.

13. Do you meet with clients often?

From time to time.

14. How often are you in court?

Not as often as television would suggest.  On the type of large cases my firm handles, there often will be months between court hearings.  Other lawyers, like public defenders or prosecutors, might be in court every day.

15. How long does it take to prepare for a trial? 

In a sense, a lawyer is preparing for trial from the first day he begins working on a case.  But the really focused pretrial work (like preparing for witness examinations and organizing exhibits) can take a few weeks or months before trial.

16. Compare what we see on TV with reality!!!!!!

First, the cases don’t move as fast as on TV.  A complex civil case can last for years before trial, and then there’s often an appeal, and the entire case could come back again.

Second, unless you’re a criminal lawyer (and maybe working on less complex criminal cases), you likely won’t be in court every day.

Third, almost all legal practice involves a lot of reading and writing and attention to detail.  I spend the majority of my day reading, absorbing, and figuring out what to do with information.  This type of work doesn’t lend itself to good television.

I haven’t seen all of it, but the most realistic legal show on TV is probably The Good Wife—it glosses over the less exciting parts of the job, but it does capture some realities.

18. Advice for high school students considering this field?

I think the people that enjoy law the most are those who like reading, writing, and problem solving.  For litigators, a competitive personality might also be a “plus.”

19. What is your greatest reward in your job?

The best part of my job is getting to learn something new every day.  So much of my job is learning about an industry, learning about a product, learning about a technology, learning a witness’s story, or even learning a new area of law.  

20. ...and (or course) the greatest challenge.

The hours.  I think it’s impossible to be a good attorney without dedicating a lot of time to your job.  No matter what type of law one practices, it almost inevitably will require long hours.  There’s no way to fake knowledge of the facts or knowledge of the law, and acquiring that knowledge takes time.  I generally work closer to 60-70 hours/week than 40 hours/week, and when at trial, the hours can be significantly higher.  That said, it certainly helps that I enjoy my job.

Both Teresa and Teagan have worked hard, and it is quite obvious that they love what they do.

BC Students: Notice that they both emphasized how important reading and WRITING skills are for this occupation.

(texting doesn't count)

Write something every day!

MARCH IS WOMAN'S HISTORY MONTH!

And Stanza Saturday is Free Verse Friday

(at least for today)

TO CELEBRATE....

We will read some POEMS written by 3 freshman woman.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

(and thank you Gina, Caroline, and Julia)

She rolled out of bed:

It's 6 AM.

She was restless.

Her mother and father are still sleeping.

He needed to get ready for school,

But he didn't see the point.

He wasn't up to the standards

And he didn't have the motivation to be better.

They walked the halls;

Tired, careless, and irresponsible.

They never shared their feelings.

People started to wonder.

But at the end of the day,

Mother and father are sleeping.

Gina Schreiber

Equals

They rounded us up

And tested for disease

But something about it

Set me off ease

Their sickness

Was called feeling

And it wasn’t until now

Did I realize my heart

Was screaming

I didn’t like to feel

I didn’t like remembering

Until I found a girl

Lonely and trembling

She could feel too

So together we hid

They said we would die

And we very well did

On the outside

That is

Euphoric were our hearts

Until their analysis

A cure was created

So we planned to escape

An unlikely ally

Wore the hero’s cape

But something went wrong

And she was stolen from me

I could no longer live

I could no longer flee

This agony would last

So I asked for the cure

Hours would pass

Before I would again learn to endure

But then she came back

And I was beyond remedy

I held her that night

For soon I would become her enemy

And then it was over

I could no longer feel

I could no longer remember

I had left her

But she refused to leave

This girl whom I no longer knew

Escaped with me

Where we started anew

Caroline Kominick

.for the longest time, 

i thought being in love was like a car accident. 


i thought love was twisted and charred metal, sharp and blackened and hot to the touch. 


i thought it smelled like blood and alcohol; thought it left bits of glass on the roadway like so many prehistoric teeth. 


i thought love burned you beyond recognition, mangled fingers reaching from warped metal cages.

 
for the longest time, i thought someone loved you only if they stabbed the gearshift into your back like a knife.

 
even now, long after the wreckage of our accident has been cleared,
i can’t understand a love that doesn’t leave skid marks on the road; 
that doesn’t smash through the guardrail and over the cliff’s edge;


that doesn’t kill you

Julia Pickard