Animals of Undetermined Significance

Marla is a new mother looking for a place to "pump," Sana is a first-year resident looking for a place to "pray." Neil is a good-looking Instagrammer with lots of admirers, while Pixie is an ambitious resident with almost no admirers. Lastly, the elusive and secretive Jiang, their Chief Resident. Together, they encounter strange, annoying, occasionally abusive attendings, as well as obnoxious and ridiculous clinical staff and situations. They each face struggles in their personal lives, in family, friendship, and love.

Chapter by Chapter synopsis:
PART I
Chapter 1: The Resident's Room
The reader is introduced to the different residents from Marla's perspective. The room reflects gloominess. The silence is interrupted by a "frozen section" or an intraoperative consultation.
Chapter 2: The Gross Room
Marla enters the grossing room. A Surgery resident shames her for her post-birth body. Marla tries to think of an answer, but it is late in responding. An orthopedic resident requests a frozen section which Marla refuses to do. A technician comes to fix a machine and faints on seeing a particularly gruesome specimen. We learn that Marla is looking for a place to "pump."
Chapter 3: The "I Need to Pump"
Marla goes to the program director's room and interrupts a "sign out" or reviewing of slides session. She requests a place to pump. She attempts at making it humorous which falls flat. The program director is irritated and unsupportive. Marla is directed to a dirty storage room.
Chapter 4: The "I Need to Pray"
Sana goes to the program director's room where she interrupts a very important meeting to ask for a place to pray.The program director is irritated and unsupportive and talks about secularism. Sana is embarrassed but is taken to the same dirty storage room by an intern who is excited to speak with her. The program director and Pixie continue browsing fancy watches.
Chapter 5: The "Odorous" Meeting
The Program Director and Chairman of Surgery discuss their relationship candidly and dramatically in a couple's therapy-like session. Marla realizes that she has left her shirt open revealing a nursing bra underneath. Pixie revels in this and is unsympathetic. Other residents make distasteful comments about Pathology, maternity leave, and her baby.
Chapter 6: The Lunch break
Marla takes a lunch break in a room that used to be the grossing room. The tv is on Pathology Broadcasting Channel with silly Pathology related advertisements and related shows like Pathology Jeopardy and the Jerry Sprunger show.
Chapter 7: The Cytology Sign-Out with Dr. HH
Marla and Pixie have an altercation in the "Pumping room" and Marla throws cassettes at Pixie. Marla attends cytology sign out with the eccentric and lovable Dr. HH. We understand the origins of the term "Animals of Undetermined Significance."
Chapter 8: Marla goes on an FNA
Marla, the Intern, and Dr. HH do an FNAC on "Ms. Ava." Marla is mistaken for a nurse, a wife to the intern, and is hit on by Ms. Ava's son. In addition, Ms. Ava's bed undergoes a malfunction leading to a delay to the procedure.
Chapter 9: Marla Is Called Into The Office
Marla is called into the program director's office. The Surgery and orthopedic resident from earlier in the day have submitted complaints against her. She is accused of being unprofessional and emotionally compromised due to her maternity leave. It is suggested that she step down from her upcoming position as Chief resident. Marla responds and leaves the meeting triumphant.
PART 2
INDEX of TERMS