Enclothed Cognition

On the Rachael Ray show this morning a woman in scrubs was featured during a fashion segment, and style expert Clinton Kelly offered a guilty verdict. "You know what this look says to me?" asked Clinton, while looking at the drab attire of a scrub top and scrub pant. "Inmate!!" It's a shame that she wasn't wearing Medelita scrubs because I think he would have found it impossible to criticize.  But I have to agree that the vast majority of scrubs on the market today are boxy, ill-fitting, and un-flattering. It is mind-baffling to everyone here at Medelita that women and men in healthcare and dentistry are expected to wear shapeless, frumpy unisex lab coats and scrubs that do nothing to portray their true level of aptitude and professionalism.  As an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, our Founder Lara Manchik found herself constantly frustrated by uncomfortable fabrics, horrendous fit, and unflattering silhouettes. By founding Medelita, she set out to create a paradigm shift and offer garments consistent with the level of prestige and achievement earned by doctors, surgeons, dentists, PAs and other medical professionals.  At Medelita, we believe that your uniform is an outer display of your achievement – the closest thing to wearing a diploma – and for that reason, it should be perfect. Are your scrubs flattering, or are you an inmate trapped in an uncomfortable prison of an abrasive and ill-fitting uniform?  We invite you to experience the comfort and confidence of wearing Medelita scrubs, and we're certain that even famous Hollywood stylists won't have a bad word to say.

[caption id="attachment_448" align="alignright" width="225" caption="René Laennec "][/caption] Inspiration comes in all forms. Here at Medelita, we're inspired by historical pioneers, and we often name our lab coats after notable medical figures. Our mid-length 100% cotton Laennec men's lab coat marks a long awaited upgrade to the ubiquitous physician lab coat, and it is named after a man who changed the face (and the ears!) of the medical field. René Laennec was a French physician. In 1816, he invented the stethoscope while working at a teaching hospital in Paris and pioneered its use in diagnosing various chest conditions. Prior to Monsieur Laennec, a physician would place their ear against their patient's chest in order to listen to a heartbeat or for signs of infection or breathing irregularity. In the early 1800s, this was actually a rather mortifying practice for the vast majority of female patients. On one particular occasion, Dr. Laennec was presented with a young overweight female patient and was unable to listen to a heartbeat through traditional means. In a flash of inspiration, he rolled a piece of paper into a cylinder and the stethoscope was born. [caption id="attachment_456" align="alignleft" width="198" caption="The Laennec Lab Coat"][/caption] What I love the most about this story is that Dr. Laennec's inspiration came in the form of children. Children are, by far, the greatest inventors that the world has to offer, and in the days leading up to his innovation, René Laennec had seen schoolchildren playing with long, hollow sticks. The children held their ear to one end of the stick while the opposite end was scratched with a pin, delightfully turning the properties of acoustics into a fun playground game. Clearly a humble man, Dr. Laennec chose not to name his invention a renéscope (a catchier name than a laennecscope, in my opinion) but took the far more practical approach of naming it after the Greek stethos (chest) and skopos (examination). However, he often referred to the stethoscope as "the cylinder," and called it "the greatest legacy of my life." Medelita agrees, and we are proud to honor him. With a distinguished blazer-like appearance and ergonomic fit, our 40" Laennec men’s lab coat presents a clean and prestigious appearance. It also features five total pockets, including a concealed pocket for your PDA and functional suit chest pocket. With a tailored, distinguished look and technically innovative features, the Medelita Laennec lab coat is  a perfect blend of quality and functionality.

Click here to learn more about the Laennec Medelita Lab Coat

[caption id="attachment_438" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Medelita Embroidery"][/caption] Change. Some of us love it and some of us fear it, but change is an inevitable part of life. I happen to like change, which is probably why I've lived in two different countries and four different states in my 29 years of life. In fact I've become so comfortable with change that I've developed some commitment-phobic tendencies that I mask beneath the guise of "being an indecisive libra." (Thank you Zodiac for letting me blame my idiosyncrasies on the stars.) When you're spending more for a higher quality product, you want it to last forever, and in many ways, embroidery is a commitment. Whether it's a change in practice or title, or a new married name, it's not that rare for someone to desire a change in their embroidery. For those "libras" among us, one frequently asked question is, "Can you remove the embroidery and put a different name on my lab coat?" The short answer is yes, we can remove the stitching and re-embroider your new name. However, we don’t recommend it for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, you will always be able to see the stitching from the original embroidered name...even with professional cleaning and heavy steaming. If the new name is less letters than the original name, there is more of a chance of noticing the change than if the new name is the same length or longer.  Our embroidery artisan can try to alter the width and overall size of the embroidery to cover the original (by taking it all out and resizing), but it's not an ideal option. Removing the original embroidery is not very easy, and once in a while, no matter how hard we try or how much time we take, a slight hole can emerge from either the embroidery removal process, or simply the number of tiny holes purposefully placed in the fabric from the original embroidery. Removing the embroidery essentially lessens the integrity of the fabric. So do you have to choose between buying a new coat or damaging the quality of your existing one? Not at all. At Medelita, we have a great team dedicated to serving the needs of our customers, and that includes finding the best solution for any problem. A great option that we offer at Medelita is to allow our embroidery team to stitch a special white background straight on top of your original embroidery, and then have your new embroidery within that white pattern.  We’ve done that quite a few times and the customers have really liked it. No matter what changes your life may bring, you can rely on Medelita for the best customer support and dedication. We want you to be happy.

I got sick a few days ago, and unlike other companies I have worked for, I was told adamantly to just stay at home and rest. It was a little difficult at first to accept. Many of us have been trained by Corporate America to sacrifice our health in order to remain dedicated to our careers and the work that we do. As a society, we have a tendency to work long hours, sometimes lose sleep, and brush aside our health to power through…and we usually end up being sicker for far longer. I’m happy to say that I’m now feeling much better, and I’ve learned in these past few days that dedication does not have to come at the price of my own wellbeing. Medelita was founded by a female clinician, Lara Manchik, PA-C, and she has strived to establish a corporate culture that goes beyond lab coats and scrubs. We’re not just another lab coat company; Medelita is a company that embodies the values of health and wellbeing that our customers dedicate their lives to promoting. In turn, Medelita has taken a great deal of time and care to ensure that the comfort and wellbeing of our customers always comes first. Our pockets are reinforced and designed into the garments to allow you to carry anything you need without being weighted down and uncomfortable, and our Advanced Dual Action Teflon® fabric protector repels and releases fluids, soil and stains, ensuring a bright white, clean and polished appearance, as well as the longevity of your lab coat. Combined with many other details, every Medelita lab coat and set of scrubs is geared towards making you look and feel your very best. It’s easy to become martyrs for our cause, to put what we believe in before ourselves, but I’ve come to realize that we can give more overall by taking the time to ensure that we are healthy, comfortable, confident, and efficient. Whether it’s taking a day off when you’re sick or wearing your favorite Medelita lab coat at work, what do you do to balance your dedication with your health and wellbeing?

My mother is an avid collector of jewelry. She follows all the designers and is always sparkling from head to toe on any special occasion. During a recent trip to California, she gave me a necklace that I wore to the CDA Conference in Anaheim this past Friday. As I was leaving the Conference, I was approached by two women who admired it and asked me if it was Brighton. “I don’t know,” I said, “Probably.” They looked slightly horrified that I didn’t know, and I imagine they thought me a little unworthy of wearing it. I may not be jewelry savvy, but I, like many women, have a confidence boosting secret of my very own. For some women, it’s a Brighton necklace, a new haircut, or a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag…for me, it is high heels. I don’t wear them often (I’m fairly tall without them), but when I want to feel my best, nothing puts a strut in my step like a good pair of high heels. There’s something about the click of a heel that makes me feel empowered…if my life had a soundtrack, Pat Benatar would start to sing whenever I walked in heels! At Medelita, we put the utmost care and detail into creating lab coats and scrubs worthy of being a confidence booster. We empower women in the medical field to shed the unisex baggy uniforms and step into the comfort and sophistication of flattering garments designed and tailored for them. We hear all the time from our customers about how much attention they receive in our lab coats and scrubs. Most often, they’re asked, “Where did you get it?” Personally, I’m hoping that someday soon, that question will be “Is that Medelita?” (I also hope the person wearing it doesn’t say ‘I don’t know’!) When it comes to giving yourself an extra shot of confidence, what’s your secret?

Our Medelita conference team is just returning from the California Dental Association convention, The Art and Science of Dentistry, in Anaheim.  Our only local conference of the year (as we are based in San Clemente, CA) The CDA Presents event was only a short car ride away.  This week we are still basking in the excitement – lots of repeat customers, many vocal previous customers coming back to the booth to thank us (as well as to entice others with their animated testimonials) and just an overall vibe that dentists, dental surgeons and hygienists are becoming familiar with our new brand, Medelita.  “Are you the ones with the cuffed sleeves and fluid resistant fabric?” so many would say.  Yep – that’s us! Our dental lab coats being the newest in our lab coat lineup, this is all very rewarding to our small team, to realize that we are growing and the people are hearing about us.  Specifically, what makes our lab coats so unique and profession specific. So what did they buy?  Elsie G. and Fauchard dental coats went flying.  These new 100% cotton dental coats are extremely well received by dentists and all dental professionals.  Women seem to truly love the sporty look of the Elsie G. lab coat with the preppy stand-up collar and snap closure.  And the men commented that the Fauchard cuffed sleeves and optional snap closure to the neck are ideal features for their everyday positioning and professional presentation. Much to our surprise, no one seemed deterred by our lack of current inventory in both the Elsie G. and Lucy H.T. lab coats.  It’s true – they have been so popular that we’ve had a hard time properly planning for inventory.  A good and a bad problem, I suppose.  But one that is definitely being corrected in the upcoming months, never to happen again.  We are extremely grateful for the patience our customers/colleagues have displayed, as we experience these growing pains. Looking forward to CDA in Anaheim next year.  Likely to see new and (now) plenty of old faces next year . . . . with new styles and new scrub colors in hand.

  [caption id="attachment_398" align="alignright" width="130" caption="Elizabeth Blackwell"][/caption] I hate to admit this, but I sometimes find myself taking the rights that I enjoy for granted. In this day and age, the idea that a woman would be denied something simply because of her gender is unthinkable . . . and would likely result in a handful of lawsuits and an outraged nation. Less than a century ago, equality was still being debated. As I enjoy a life full of opportunity, I feel that it’s important to be reminded of the female leaders that came before me. One such woman is Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree from an American school. In the 1800s, the idea of a woman in the field of medicine was unheard of, but Elizabeth B. applied to almost every medical school in New York and Philadelphia, and was rejected by nearly all of them. When her application arrived at Geneva Medical College, the administration (believing that no one would dream of saying yes) asked the students to decide whether to admit her or not. The students reportedly thought it was a practical joke and the majority endorsed her admission. When they discovered that she was serious, everyone was horrified. At first, she was even kept from classroom medical demonstrations, as they were considered inappropriate for a woman. But in 1849, Elizabeth B. graduated first in her class, becoming the first U.S. female doctor of medicine. [caption id="attachment_380" align="alignleft" width="137" caption="The Elizabeth B. Lab Coat"][/caption] She went on to live an extraordinary life, writing books and lecturing in America and throughout Europe. During the Civil War, she helped to organize the Women's Central Association of Relief, selecting and training nurses for service in the war. This venture helped to inspire the creation of the United States Sanitary Commission, and her achievements didn’t end there. Working tirelessly throughout her life, Elizabeth Blackwell opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children and the Women's Medical College in New York, helped to organize the National Health Society in England, and founded the London School of Medicine for Women. Elizabeth Blackwell's efforts established a foundation for women in the field of medicine, and Medelita is proud to honor her. The 28" length Elizabeth B. lab coat is named after Elizabeth Blackwell, and boasts performance features that make sense to women working in medicine. Similar to our original Callia lab coat in design features, the new hip-length Elizabeth B. tailored lab coat features feminine shaping and rounded lapels, a hidden inside pocket, and Medelita logo fabric covering the inside seams. We call it revolutionary. Learn more about the Elizabeth B. Medelita Lab Coat.

 

I hate to admit this, but I sometimes find myself taking the rights that I enjoy for granted. In this day and age, the idea that a woman would be denied something simply because of her gender is unthinkable . . . and would likely result in a handful of lawsuits and an outraged nation. Less than a century ago, equality was still being debated. As I enjoy a life full of opportunity, I feel that it’s important to be reminded of the female leaders that came before me. One such woman is Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree from an American school. In the 1800s, the idea of a woman in the field of medicine was unheard of, but Elizabeth B. applied to almost every medical school in New York and Philadelphia, and was rejected by nearly all of them. When her application arrived at Geneva Medical College, the administration (believing that no one would dream of saying yes) asked the students to decide whether to admit her or not. The students reportedly thought it was a practical joke and the majority endorsed her admission. When they discovered that she was serious, everyone was horrified. At first, she was even kept from classroom medical demonstrations, as they were considered inappropriate for a woman. But in 1849, Elizabeth B. graduated first in her class, becoming the first U.S. female doctor of medicine.

She went on to live an extraordinary life, writing books and lecturing in America and throughout Europe. During the Civil War, she helped to organize the Women's Central Association of Relief, selecting and training nurses for service in the war. This venture helped to inspire the creation of the United States Sanitary Commission, and her achievements didn’t end there. Working tirelessly throughout her life, Elizabeth Blackwell opened the New York Infirmary for Women and Children and the Women's Medical College in New York, helped to organize the National Health Society in England, and founded the London School of Medicine for Women. Elizabeth Blackwell's efforts established a foundation for women in the field of medicine, and Medelita is proud to honor her. The 28" length Elizabeth B. lab coat is named after Elizabeth Blackwell, and boasts performance features that make sense to women working in medicine. Similar to our original Callia lab coat in design features, the new hip-length Elizabeth B. tailored lab coat features feminine shaping and rounded lapels, a hidden inside pocket, and Medelita logo fabric covering the inside seams. We call it revolutionary. Learn more about the Elizabeth B. Medelita Lab Coat.

As National Women's Health Week draws to a close, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge one of many women in the medical profession who work tirelessly every day to empower others to live healthier lives. Eliza Chin, MD, MPH, has a very long list of achievements (though you'd be hard pressed to get her to talk about them). Harvard Medical School graduate, Columbia University graduate, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Columbia and UCSF, featured physician in the NIH/National Library of Medicine's Exhibition on Women in Medicine, past President of the American Medical Women's Association, and published author. But her proudest achievement of all is, in her own words, "Being mom to three fabulous kids." Dr. Chin was preparing to begin her prestigious Columbia Fellowship when she and her husband, a surgical resident, learned the wonderful news that they were going to have a baby. Eliza decided to take a part-time faculty position so that she could begin the equally challenging work of raising a family. Four years later, the Chins were expecting their third child, and Eliza took a reprieve from her clinical duties to become a full-time stay-at-home mom. Was it a difficult choice for her? "You know, the hardest part was saying goodbye to my patients. But, no, the decision wasn't difficult; it just made sense." Dr. Chin used her sabbatical not only to care for her children, but to edit This Side Of Doctoring: Reflections From Women in Medicine, a critically acclaimed collection of poems, stories, essays and quotations that capture the joy and heartbreak of being a woman and a physician. Three years later, she began practicing medicine again, treating geriatric patients in Northern California. "It's definitely been challenging," Dr. Chin says when asked how she manages caring for three young children and a growing practice. "I worked my way slowly back in and built it up. I feel I've been incredibly lucky to have both: to be a part of my kids' lives and have a rewarding professional life. Despite how busy my schedule can be sometimes, it has all been well worth the effort." Dr. Chin largely credits her decision to start a family on the positive influence of women in the medical profession. She explains, "Practice styles used to be 24/7. I think women coming into the profession have changed that — for men and for women. I've had a male physician come up to me and express his thanks to women physicians for making it possible to have a career and a family." Along with a more balanced approached to professional life, Dr. Chin also believes that women bring a certain level of empathy to patient care. "I don't like making generalizations, but women typically have a comfortable bedside manner. They bring humanity to the patient/doctor relationship." While women in medicine so often give so much of themselves to their patients and practice, Dr. Chin acknowledges it's not always easy for women to take time for themselves. "We do neglect ourselves. It's hard to find ways to make time for the things you enjoy, but you try. I just took a weekend glass flame-working class, and it was fabulous." While serving as President of the American Medical Women's Association last year, Dr. Eliza Chin wore her Medelita lab coat to the White House for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let's Move launch to eradicate childhood obesity. When asked what she thinks of her Medelita lab coat, Dr. Chin says, "The quality and durability are wonderful, and it feels great. I love it, and applaud them for taking a stand to create something special for women in healthcare." At Medelita, we believe that professional women like Dr. Chin should be recognized and rewarded for the incredible balancing act they perform every day.

Towards the end of the 19^th century, physicians began to set aside the leeches in favor of a more scientific approach that would become the foundation of our modern medicine.