Brittany Jackson in 2012

So I decided to jump on the plane with her so we can both visit a woman who has been a huge positive influence on both of our lives between the interview sessions and dinners that will be part of Brittany's week as she tours two facilities that have sterling reputations in her chosen specialty. Ironically, one of those, Riverside Hospital, saved my father's life when he was rushed there after suffering a heart attack many years ago. He wound up undergoing open heart surgery at Riverside and thanks to the great doctors there he fully recovered.

After Brittany completes the dozen residency interviews she has scheduled she will then wait until National Match Day on March 15 when all of the nation's graduating medical school students will find out where they will spend the next three years as residents (a computer makes those decisions based on the level of interest hospitals express in their interviewees and vice versa).

Graduation follows in May, then Brittany and her husband David will have to quickly re-locate in the city she is assigned (David works for a national aerospace company with branches in or near most of the cities where Brittany accepted interviews). It has been thrilling for Diana and I to watch Brittany steadily progress toward her goal (she has far more dedication and discipline than her dad ever dreamed of having) and we couldn't be prouder of the wonderful young woman she has grown up to be.