The Very LAST Graduation!

Yesterday, Brad graduated for the very LAST time. It seems like he has been in training FOREVER, so being done is a very surreal feeling. Our entire 7 year marriage has been during his post graduate training, so I'm very proud of us for making it through the entire bit together! Residency is now over for Brad, and he begins work at his new clinic next Thursday, July 1st. He is partnering up with an established doc in the hospital clinic system, and we feel like this is going to be a wonderful situation for him as a professional and us as a family. We spent yesterday afternoon at the graduation ceremony and yesterday evening at a residency party. It's very strange to be saying goodbye to the other residents and their spouses who have become such close friends and such a strong support system over the past 7 years. A few of them will be scattered across MS, one is headed to TN, and one is headed up to MA for 2 MORE years of training at Harvard. It's hard to say goodbye to these people who truly knew and understood what all this training took, but we are very excited to finally be.....done. It's strange to say that. I'm so proud of Brad and all the time and dedication he put into this field. There were lots of very hard days in this process, but he stuck with it, and I'm so thankful for the sacrifices he made along the way. It would have been very easy for Emily and I to be pushed to the side, but Brad did an incredible job of maintaining strong relationships with us, our families, and the church through this sometimes grueling process. I'm so excited for him and so thankful for him! We love you, Brad!

Graduation Ceremony:

Brad's parents, my grandparents, my mom, and Emily

Scott, Brad, and Ashley met in med school, and we did
lots of persuading to get them to come to Tupelo to
complete their residencies. We're so thankful they did!

Emily and Tanner (Scott and Val's son)-
We're going to miss this happy, playful little boy!

Emily was so excited to see her Daddy up on stage although
he was NOT thrilled about standing up there. Emily made it
through the first 10 minutes and then fell asleep in my lap since it
was nap time. She totally missed seeing her Daddy!

Brad received recognition as Chief (which was described as
"herding cats"), received his diploma, presented the preceptor
of the year award, and was voted on by the clinic staff
to receive the teamwork award for his ability to get the
job done and make things easier on everyone around him.

2010 Graduating Residents:
Ken, Richmond, Troy, Christy, Ashley, Scott, Brad

FMRC Faculty, Attendings, and Residents

The "Cravis" Family

Brad and Monica will be teaming up starting next
Thursday. Monica was Brad's nurse during his intern
year, but she left to work at another clinic. He was
thrilled to learn that she would be willing to move
out to the new clinic with him!

(29 weeks pregnant)

Graduation Party:

One last karaoke-
Ken, Scott, Brad, Will, and Brad

I'll miss the support of the Spouse Alliance!
Courtney, Maritza, Heather, Valerie, me, Nicole

Scott and Brad

Valerie, Madelyn, me, Heather