Meet Anya Bazzell: Physician & Fashion Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anya Bazzell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anya, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Creativity makes me so happy. I am a true creative at heart. Many days in medical school, there wasn’t a lot of color. In my experience, there wasn’t a lot of fun, light, or freedom for self-expression. My blog–Surgery And The City–has permitted me to feel and be all of those things. Creativity fuels me. Content that touches people inspires me. So grateful to have this platform!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my blog–Surgery And The City–out of necessity. I was drowning in 2nd Year med school classes and desperately needed a creative outlet. After I started blogging, I also found resources to enhance my performance in school. Living a more balanced lifestyle, as opposed to studying every hour of the day, saved me and my career. Speaking very honestly, it is easy for me to balance med school and blogging because I enjoy both. I am passionate about both. I am inspired and fueled by both. I love that my blog allows me to showcase my fashion sense, and it is also a space where I can encourage other non-traditional students. In my corner of the internet, I can provide a safe space for students who have struggled. I can be honest about my journey, my challenges, my failures. Most importantly, I can demonstrate there is hope and success after pitfalls; after being told you’ll never make it. I want EVERYONE to know and feel they can do Absolutely Anything they put their minds to. I also want people to know they CAN have it all and all at once! You just have to be willing to work for it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok, I Love this question! I’m working on an Atlanta Tour Guide, so stay tuned! One of the many reasons I love Atlanta: So much to do! I always get excited to take my friends around when they are in town. The first thing I like to do is feed my friends! Some of my favorite restaurants include The Flying Biscuit, South City Kitchen, Baltimore Crab and Seafood, JR Crickets, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and Two Urban Licks. Then it’s off to shop! Little Five Points has some of the most amazing novelty shops! Ponce City Market, Westside Provisions, and Atlantic Station all have multiple stores to choose from. Phipps Plaza (high end stores) for my friends who want to get fancy! The culture in Atlanta is beyond! I love taking my friends to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Center and to tour his birth home. The Fox Theater always has amazing shows and the High and Hammonds House Museums have beautiful art for days. A little night life, anyone? Sky Lounge, Ponce City Market, and Hotel Clermont have some of the best views of the city! The drinks are delish! And there is nothing like bar hopping the night away on Edgewood Ave! Love love #myatl

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I thank God for being so miraculous and for getting me to and through the medical school process. With Him, I can do All Things. I also want to shout out my family! They have been there rooting me on throughout each stage of my journey; lending a listening ear, encouragement, congratulations, emergency funds, you name it! Just about each of them has also taken pictures for my blog from time to time! As my medical school journey comes to a close, I just want my family to know I love them, I appreciate them, I honor them, and this degree is just as much theirs as it is mine.