Gift suggestions by specialty

[DCJenn]

Since we've had questions about what to get newly minted med students, recent med school grads, acceptance into residency celebrations, thank god residency is over gifts and studying for boards recommendations- let's compile some of them here. We're starting a new year and there are always birthdays, holidays and graduations looming ahead.

So- for those who have purchased medical related gifts, what were they and where can the rest of us find them.

Jenn

PS- I bring this up because I just bought my husband several neuro boards study guides and Oliver Sacks' newest book for his birthday which is in 3 weeks. Amazon.com, baby!!!

[pstone]

Oh my, I can say I have never bought the DW an medical gifts. I stick with the hand written love letters, and luxury items.

She hated the chain saw I got her however...

Is champagne and two totally overpriced toasting flutes( I can't believe I typed that ) considered "medical"?!

She hated the chain saw I got her however...

My wife felt the same about the new lawnmower for her birthday

I stand by my briefcase made of baseball glove leather by Rawlings. It comes in 3 sizes (I chose the one big enough for a laptop).

My dh would go for anything remotely electronic, though.

[DCJenn]

What about gifts for specific specialties? One year Rick bought himself a Tigger stethescope cover so that the kids wouldn't get quite as freaked out. He also has a reflex checker thingy (you all know what I mean) that's been bent to go over his head- a la Steve Martin and the arrow in the "Wild and Crazy Guy" skits. That usually gets a laugh from the kids, too.

I bought the neuro boards study guides but that's not really fun.

I love the Rawlings briefcase and it's on the short list for finally finishing this training.

Jenn

I can't think of a single gift for a Pathologist. They just don't get fun stuff! DH has lots of kitchy blood related stuff (a stress ball that looks like a drop of blood comes to mind), but I can't think of anything I'd buy him.

If / when you go for the briefcase, be sure to check out ebay. I saved over $100!

[houseelf]

How 'bout a bullet proof vest and gang apparel for the ER doc?

Kelly

[Rapunzel]

Best gift for a radiologist: Something electronic and complicated. They're all geeks....

Jennifer

[Auspicious]

I can't think of a single gift for a Pathologist. They just don't get fun stuff!

Not fun for us, anyway. My parents had a funny conversation about this--"Well does he need, like, a microscope?" Husband: "They aren't like regular microscopes, they're like tens of thousands of dollars." Mom: "So we shouldn't regift the one out of your brother's chemistry set in the basement then, huh?"

Maybe you had to be there.

I love these! Surgeons should get wax models of their families, they can set them up in OR corners and at least "see" their family once a day. I could go on, but I risk sounding bitter...

Off the top of my head, if I wanted to get DH a specialty related gift, I would give him a dermatoscope. He had one....but it was stolen and we haven't yet replaced it (expensive).

Julie -- the re-gifting of the microscope cracks me up! I'm picturing a resident proudly carrying the chemistry set scope into a lab. Until recently, I was in the dark about how much microscopes cost. We were talking about the prep that a graduating resident was doing for the boards and DH mentioned that you need a microscope for the test. I said, "So we have to buy a microscope now and get it to Chicago safely???" That's when I found out how much they cost and that we will not be buying one. Thank goodness. I addition to the bargain basement board fees, you can rent the microscope that is required for the test.

Not fun for us, anyway. My parents had a funny conversation about this--"Well does he need, like, a microscope?" Husband: "They aren't like regular microscopes, they're like tens of thousands of dollars." Mom: "So we shouldn't regift the one out of your brother's chemistry set in the basement then, huh?"

Maybe you had to be there.

Didn't have to be there. That's funny! Is your DH a pathologist?

Ok Jenn, on a serious note, when I have some cashola I'm going to get DH some antique surgical instruments for his office. I've seen them before and they're fascinating...but pricey. I've also seen some antique surgical illustrations from bizarre, old operations that most surgeons would find morbidly fascinating. Yes, they are a strange breed.

We (BIL and I) did get dh an antique doctor's bag (made from walrus hide), and an antique head thingy w/the reflector (pathetic, but I have no idea what they're called).

[Auspicious]

Is your DH a pathologist?

No, he's hoping to match into pathology in the spring.

I got DW an antique doctor bag as well off Ebay. It wasn't as pricey as some of the things I had seen at other shops, where things were collecting expensive dust. It is made of alligator, and it smells about 110 years old.

I got DW an antique doctor bag as well off Ebay. It wasn't as pricey as some of the things I had seen at other shops, where things were collecting expensive dust. It is made of alligator, and it smells about 110 years old.

I think we have it's older walrus step-brother. I would estimate the scent to be 120 years old. Eeeew. After we got it I thought "well, an old medical bag. what about that sounded good to me?"