No More Regrets

Yes, I dropped off the face of the blogging world for a few weeks but promise to do better from now on! Let me update you on the super exciting event that happened to me earlier this month.

It all started a few weeks ago, when Dad called to ask if I would go with him to a special reception at the UA School of Law to honor Dean Gamble. Apparently, Dean Gamble was head honcho back when Dad was a law student in the 1980s. The reception was set for Monday, April 4th at 5:00 p.m. So for the rest of the week, I told my friends about this reception and even bought a new dress! When Monday rolled around, my OM 300 class ended early giving me just enough time to change and freshen up.

Little did I know, there was no reception. At least, not at the Law School.

Turns out, my wonderful sorority sisters had conspired with my parents! Instead of meeting with law faculty, I was actually being tapped for The XXXI, an exclusive honor society for women at the University of Alabama! Thankfully, Dad had developed this whole elaborate story to make sure that I was dressed nicely - not wearing my traditional shorts and t-shirt. Never been so shocked in my entire life! The whole week, I was convinced that my friend and neighbor Hilary Moore was being tapped as the honorary senior. So happy this turned out to be wrong :)

One funny side note - while shopping with Mom the weekend before, I mentioned that my one regret in college was not being chosen to join The XXXI. Still shocked she didn't blurt out the secret then and there!

So, needless to say - I had an absolutely wonderful Honors Week! And tonight, the 31 members of the 23rd Order will be dressed in white for our official induction into The XXXI. What a dream come true!

Hilary, me, Christy and Shellie

Big Bang Big Boom

This video shows a wall-painted animation, created and directed by Italian artist named BLU. One of the coolest things I've ever seen! It took months of work and hundreds of buckets of paint, but you won't be disappointed by the amazing results. Video shows "the beginning and evolution of life."

Watch and enjoy!

P.S. - Changed my blog background. Still pretty, but not quite as bright as the green & pink one. I think it fits my personality better.

30 Minutes Ago

Good news, made it through my MBA interview! And luckily, the graduate student who helped with the interview shared an interest in healthcare, so she really liked my presentation. Here are a few of the highlights:

1. More than 136 million Americans are “Health 2.0” consumers
2. Social media websites are the 3rd most popular source of health information
3. 73% of patients search online before visiting a doctor
4. Currently, there are 660 U.S. hospitals with over 1,300 social media sites

Twitter is one of the fastest growing social media websites, experiencing a 40% increase each month. It can provide immediate updates about hospital conditions like wait times or flu vaccine availability. Hospitals use Facebook fan pages to post contact information relevant updates. Fans can “follow” the hospital and participate in health-related discussions. Also, Facebook offers over 1,200 support communities that advocate for the cure of chronic diseases. Even YouTube channels are used to provide patients with physician profiles, virtual hospital tours, or instructive videos.

Social media can also help (1) recruit and train medical personnel, (2) connect to mainstream media & raise public awareness, (3) communicate instantly during time of crisis, (4) and provide health information to target specific patient markets.

Even the U.S. Government supports the use of social media. For example, Healthy People 2020 (www.healthypeople.gov/2020) is a government sponsored program with 10-year national objectives to improve the health of all Americans. Sample objectives include (1) increasing the number of health-related websites, and (2) using social media for health promotion & disease prevention.

In the future, social media website will allow patients to rate/recommend physicians, chat live 24/7 online, and even schedule appointments or pay bills online.

Pretty interesting stuff, right?

First Time Charm

Hello everyone,

Exciting news - I've decided to re-join the blogging world.  The last time I posted a blog was almost four years ago, the summer before my freshman year of college.  Back then I was eighteen and single, didn't have a clue about sorority rush, and had never stepped foot inside a college bar.  Things have changed since then!

My life is pretty busy right now.  Only five months until graduation this August - I'm finishing up a degree in Healthcare Management at the University of Alabama.  Never imagined four years would disappear so quickly.  At least I have about 475 ZAP photos that document all the best memories!

After August, I'll be staying in Tuscaloosa for graduate school.  Last summer, I was accepted to law school and will be interviewing for the MBA program tomorrow, with plans to complete a joint JD/MBA in four years.  I'm sure that time will pass even faster than the first four.

In case you're wondering, the name of this blog is "Five Two View" because I'm 5'2" and writing about life from my point of view.  Also, this layout is from ShabbyBlogs.com, and it's named "Southern Girl".  Couldn't resist the adorable pink & green design.

I plan to post a new blog soon with pictures and details about my recent Spring Break trip to Boston, Mass. with my boyfriend, Clay.

Time to go practice my presentation for the MBA interview tomorrow @ 11:00 a.m. - it's about social media and the healthcare industry! Pretty interesting stuff.  Hope the interview committee agrees with me.

Wish me luck!