” A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
Oprah Winfrey
This week, I officially registered with National Residency Matching Program and am nearly ready to submit my residency applications. In less than a year, I will be graduating as Dr. Jennifer Tich. Even typing this just now gives me goosebumps. The whole process of applying for residency is daunting and a total unknown to me, but I am so thankful to my mentors who have helped me so much as I navigate the process. Your encouragement, advice, and willingness to brag about me where I find it difficult to do so myself mean more than I could say.
Looking back on my journey and seeing how far I’ve come is incredible. I started medical school three years ago: three years after I graduated from St. Olaf. I was accepted off of the waitlist in the middle of July after applying to medical school for the third time, profoundly grateful that someone took a chance on me. I remember feeling so small when I first started. I didn’t know anyone, and medical school was unfamiliar terrain. I spent so much of my energy agonizing about what the appropriate etiquette was or deciding who was safe to approach, that I found myself frequently mentally exhausted.
As time went on, I found a great group of people who have become friends for life and have become an incredible source of support. Of course, my family has always been my rock. I couldn’t have done any of this without them. If I learned anything in undergrad, it is to never be too proud to ask for help. My parents are not physicians, so I needed to take it upon myself to seek advice about navigating medical school, choosing a specialty, and building a career in medicine. Pushing past my comfort zone, I began to talk to faculty, staff and administrators. I quickly learned that they are incredible human beings and I had no reason to feel nervous at all around them.
For some reason I still have yet to completely understand, several took me under their wings. They helped me turn a summer research project into a publication and national presentation. They showed me how to network and that something you’re already doing can easily become research. They opened my eyes to a specialty I knew little about, literally gave me a seat at the table in “the room where it happens”, and sparked an interest that has turned into a passion for medical education and changing how we learn in medical school. I’m not entirely sure what the saw, but they clearly noticed something in me I didn’t know existed. For that I am incredibly grateful.
Now, I find myself gaining confidence in my abilities as a future clinician and giving myself permission to dream bigger than I previously thought possible. While this virtual interview season will be quite the ride and I can’t believe it’s a month away, this next step is sure to be exciting.
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
Hippocrates
Today was the last day of my acting internship in internal medicine. This month was a whirlwind full of patient care, learning, and pushing past my comfort zone. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! I loved spending time with my team caring for veterans. Being trusted to call consulting physicians, update patients and families, and communicate with other team members was extremely validating. Building the confidence to navigate these responsibilities was crucial, as they will soon become expectations of me.
An important lesson I relearned this month was the essential nature of clear communication. Taking time to go to the floor and check on patients, ask a question of their nurse or confirm with the scheduler that a follow-up appointment was set pays dividends. It can be easy to sit behind the computer or send a virtual message. Keeping lines of communication open helps build team cohesion and trust in addition to ensuring patients get the care they need. I generally can get along with most people, which apparently was noticed by my residents. One commented on the rapport I developed with one of the vascular surgeons, who took time to give me ultrasound tips for finding pedal pulses. I made a point to ask daily what I can do to make my colleague’s lives easier. I also took time to listen to their concerns. Too often we don’t acknowledge their dedication, and many feel unappreciated. In the future, I hope to be a leader who fosters an environment where everyone is valued and has a seat at the table
Clear communication with patients is also incredibly important. The impact you can have by taking the time to talk to patients, answer their questions, and explain what has been found so far on their workup cannot be overstated. We owe it to ourselves and our patients to do our best by them every time. They come to us in a time of need and it’s our job to help, not dismiss them as a “dispo issue” or “not interesting” and ignore them. These are real people with real problems. At times, it seems the bar is set so low that just treating one another as a human being is exceptional. As one patient put it, a comforting bedside manner is sadly not as common as one would hope. In medicine, so many have become burnt out and have trouble empathizing with patients. I pray that never becomes my fate. In an era of performance metrics, a sea of documentation and too many patients to count, it’s easy to feel you don’t have enough time with your patients. I can promise you this. You won’t regret spending those few extra minutes. The memories I have of tracking down a patient’s hearing aid, ensuring a patient didn’t fall from bed and explaining a patient’s upcoming procedure left an impression that won’t soon fade.
As I work to finalize my program list and look forward to application season, it amazes me how far I’ve come. It seems only yesterday I was starting medical school and eagerly awaiting my first clinical skills session. Now I’m the M4 leader of my own clinical skills groups and loving the new challenge. While my groups were likely anxious about beginning the year with a new facilitator team, we were just as nervous to start our new roles. I love teaching, however I am still growing in this area and becoming more comfortable in the role of educator. I look forward to developing my teaching skills as I move through my training and passing on what I learn to future doctors. In the meantime, I plan to enjoy every minute of this year. Fourth year truly has been great so far.
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
Fydor Dostoyevsky
This week, I started my acting internship in Internal Medicine. For this rotation, I have a role similar to that of a first-year resident and work with the general adult medicine inpatient team. It feels great to be back in the hospital and seeing patients. For those who weren’t keeping track, I’ve been away from rotations since March! I was going stir crazy to say the least. I love being part of the team caring for patients and learning from everyone. There is so much to be gained from clinical experiences that you can’t get from a textbook or lecture. It’s that piece I have been craving as I get closer to applying to residency and eventually having responsibility for patients.
As a fourth-year student, we no longer have exams after each rotation. Since I have already taken part two of our board exam, that means no more exams for the rest of medical school! Not having to study for the next test means I’m free to study whatever I want. Lately, that has meant listening to medical podcasts for fun. They’re such a great way to pass my commute to and from the hospital and I love the tips and tricks I gather. In the hospital, I have been able to gradually take on more responsibility. I’ve been calling consults, contacting other members of the healthcare team with updates and helping complete other tasks for the day. The ability to take concrete steps to implement my patient’s care plan helps me feel I’ve had an impact and brings meaning to my work.
Three years ago today, I started medical school. Now I’m preparing to apply for residency and am wondering where the time has gone. My friends in the EVMS chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society created a video for the incoming first year class who began their medical journey today. They spoke about what the white coat means to them and how that meaning has changed over time. It got me thinking about the symbolism of the white coat, the way I felt putting it on for the very first time and how much it has meant to me. Those who know me, know I did not get into medical school right away. I applied three times and completed a Masters degree before being accepted. Putting on my white coat, I’m reminded of my persistence and dedication to becoming an excellent doctor. Since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to repay all the kindness and care I have received from my physicians over the years. To serve that role for someone one day would be priceless. I have also received an incredible amount of support and mentorship along the way, which has been invaluable. The ability to pass on what I’ve learned as a mentor now and in the future means more than words can express.
Medicine truly is a calling and the white coat unites us under a common mission: serving our patients. Surrounded by others with similar goals and values, I’m filled with a sense of belonging and camaraderie. I would be naïve, however, to presume that everyone has had a similar experience. That’s simply not true. Many feel their personality, culture and language are not welcome in medicine. This must change. We are called to be advocates not only for our patients, but for our colleagues and community as well. Change must start with us. There is much to learn and I will make mistakes. There will be long hours and difficult times along the way. My white coat, however, will always serve as a reminder of why I pursued medicine in the first place.
Sorry all, I’ve neglected this blog! I’ve been savoring these last few weeks before I return to the hospital. I’ve been spending time with family and friends, learning all I can about various residency programs, preparing my residency application and attempting to study for my next board exam in two weeks. I had the opportunity to help revamp the orientation for the third years who are about to start rotations and answer their questions about transitioning to the clinical years. I’m super excited to start working with the first and second years as well as a mentor and clinical skills facilitator when they arrive on campus.
The next year is certainly going to look different, as masks become the new norm, classes remain online when possible and interviews are conducted virtually. Needless to say, change is hard. We all could use some hope in these uncertain times. Recently a sliver of hope, for me at least, came from an unlikely source: the release of the #HamilFilm on Disney +. My friends and I recently watched it, and I was captivated from beginning to end. I can’t wait to rewatch it, because there’s so much to unpack. That’s what I love about a good theatre production or concert, it entertains while also making you think. Three themes stuck out to me as I soaked in the show: the desire to be heard and recognized, the importance of taking a stand for what you believe in and determining the kind of legacy you want to leave.
In the beginning of the film, we are introduced to Alexander Hamilton. He arrives in New York as a poor immigrant with no family or money, but gifted with a brilliant mind and a fierce desire to prove himself. We are then introduced to his rival, Aaron Burr. In contrast to Hamilton, who wants more than anything to be recognized and won’t “throw away his shot” at the spotlight, Burr wants to have a seat at the table in “the room where it happens”. The theme that women, people of color and immigrants must work ten times harder to get as far as those with more privilege and be recognized for their work is woven throughout the show. Hamilton furiously writes to anyone who will read his work to ensure his voice is heard. He isn’t afraid to raise his voice or make a controversial statement. Burr takes a different strategy, making sure not to ruffle feathers and connect himself with those in power to get ahead. This is the beginning of the disagreement between the two leading men. Burr cautions Hamilton that angering the wrong people could get you killed. Hamilton responds by challenging Burr, asking him “If you stand for nothing, what will you fall for?” To the founding fathers, the status quo had been in place for too long. In order to make change, someone had to rock the boat. Sometimes, it takes being loud and pushing back against those in charge to create change. Niceties don’t always cut it. Sometimes you have to take a stand.
Don’t these two gentlemen illustrate the dilemma many of us face? We feel the need to fight to make the environments we live, work and learn in better. Look at medical students, where documented differences in board scores exist between women and men or students of color and white students. These scores are more a reflection of privilege than actual clinical ability. Our letters of recommendation and clinical evaluation even contain different language if you compare the same groups. Too many who do bring up discrepancies like these are met with calls to keep quiet or are told they are being “unprofessional”. How do we resolve the conflict between the desire to stand up for ourselves and our own survival? I don’t pretend to have the answers, but I hope that as future leaders we have the courage to be change agents who don’t take “this is just how we do things here” for an answer. If there’s a better way to approach a problem, let’s do that.
As Hamilton approaches the major events in his life, he ponders the legacy he will leave behind. Not guaranteed that tomorrow will come, he wonders who will tell his story when he’s gone. At the end of the day, we want to feel that what we did mattered. It won’t matter how much money we made, how big our house was or how successful we were in the eyes of society. What will matter is there are friends and family who love us and feeling that we made a difference in the world. So instead of chasing fame and fortune like Hamilton, whose loved ones wondered if he would ever be content, let’s learn to be content where we are. There’s so much more to life than the next promotion, the next paycheck or the next exam. As we figure out what life is going to look like when COVID 19 is a distant memory, let’s prioritize the people and activities that bring us joy rather than racing to climb the social ladder. Then maybe we too can learn to be satisfied.
“It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
David Steindl-Rast
My pastor posed a challenge to us last week: to write down what we are thankful for. I generally am a pretty positive person. Some may find it odd, but life is so short that I just don’t have the energy to dwell on the small things or worry about what I cannot change. I am grateful to have my health, a roof over my head, food to eat, a family who loves me, friends who support me, mentors who guide me and opportunities to grow. This week has brought many a smile to my face. Lord knows we could use some light these days. In school, I’ve been taking an elective course for the past two weeks where we’ve learned how educators think through and design curricula. We contributed our unique perspectives as students and in the end helped make some (hopefully!) positive changes to the clerkship orientation our third-year friends will receive shortly. I’m eager to see how everything unfolds in the coming weeks.
My work tutoring has reminded me how much I’ve learned, as well as how much I’ve grown in my comfort with teaching. There’s nothing better than seeing that look when someone finally understands a concept or begins to realize how much they really do know. To quote one of my friends, they’re learning to “trust the cobwebs”. There was a time when the thought of being asked to speak in front of the class would give me palpitations. During solo and ensemble contest as a high school student, I remember having to restart a piece I was singing because I was so nervous. Being put on the spot gives me anxiety, but I’ve learned to channel it. My voice trembles less. My hands no longer shake uncontrollably. Giving a full presentation about a topic important to me now feels like something I could envision doing as a resident educator and beyond. I enjoy teaching and look forward to learning how to do so better in the future.
My favorite moments are when I see others succeed. I can’t wait to see my friends start medical school, choose their residency programs, find their voices on rotations, discern the specialties they will pursue. Those moments give me life. I love introducing friends to the webinars the Med-Peds community has hosted and taking the time to provide what guidance I can to pre-med students. Giving back fills my cup until it’s overflowing. We’ve been given access to a world of opportunities many have been denied and others could only dream of. The question is, how will we leverage that access? It’s a humbling thought to be sure, but one I hope we will ponder as we strive to be better friends and neighbors to those around us.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Am I enough? Will program directors like me? How on earth is it that I’m going to be expected to know things soon?
When these thoughts start rattling through my mind, I know it’s time for me to stop, pray and shift my mindset. My classmates and I finished the last rotation of our third year this week, in the middle of a pandemic and with so much pain being felt throughout our nation. Starting the fourth year of medical school means thinking about residency training and beyond. Writing personal statements, requesting letters of recommendation, researching residency programs and figuring out who I want to be as a physician are daunting to say the least. Talk about triggering impostor syndrome. I literally just spent a half hour whining to friends, unsure whether my personal statement in its current form is too cliché. It’s true to who I am and illustrates why I’m passionate about Med-Peds. Shouldn’t that be enough?
Then I look back at the feedback I’ve received from my preceptors this year and smile. The traits I value most appear consistently, repeatedly and validate me. Mentors send an encouraging text or email and my heart melts. Webinars with the Med-Peds community continually remind me that I’ve chosen the right specialty. I’ve met so many wonderful people who have become fast friends. Program directors have even offered coaching and advice for those of us without Med-Peds residencies at our medical schools. My cup overflows with support, a privilege I don’t take lightly. There are too many for whom that is not the case. We can do better.
As I move one step closer to leading my own team, I dream of the day I can create an environment that allows all learners to thrive and reach their full potential. We need medical school classes that look like the communities we serve. Let’s ensure each medical student is paired with a mentor in their field of interest who is passionate about seeing them succeed and can be a source of invaluable guidance. Let’s create more programs that introduce kids to medicine and show that they too can be doctors. I can’t wait until I have the ability to hire my own medical scribe one day, pay them properly, and guide them through the medical school application process. It’s up to us to put in the work to create change. In a world where there is so much division, imagine what we could accomplish if we all made the decision to show up and work together!
It’s finally getting real that I’m about to be starting my final year of medical school. Our friends in the year behind us are getting ready to take their board exams and will soon be joining us in the hospital. I’m so excited for them! It seems like just yesterday I was about to start my first rotation, so nervous about what the year would hold. With my final rotation soon wrapping up, now seems as good a time as any to reflect on what I’ve learned over the last year and hopefully pass on some advice for those going into their first rotations.
When I began my third year, I had three burning questions: How should I study? How do I get people to like me? How do I choose a specialty? I’ll share some thoughts I have about each of these and along the way answer a few other questions you may have.
How do I study?
Third year is much different than the first two years of medical school. You now will be spending many hours of your day in the hospital caring for patients with your team. That is your primary responsibility. Depending on the rotation, the setting you’re in, the team you are working with, or even the day, your experiences will vary. Some settings lend themselves better to opportunities for formal teaching. In others, your attendings or residents may add in teaching points sporadically throughout rounds. Stay as engaged as you can. There are days where you’re tired and it’s just hard, but it’s worth it. One, it shows how excited you are about learning medicine. Two, you won’t miss these pearls. True, they may not all end up on the exam, but some will. The others will be high yield for your future practice. Much of your learning will be up to you and many lessons won’t be found in a textbook. Pay attention to what’s going on around you. Learn from how your team interacts with one another and how others interact with patients. Listen your patients’ stories. Some of the most impactful moments I’ve had this year were the result of being present and involved with my patients and the team. Alas, there still is an exam at the end of each rotation that you must prepare for. Many of the resources you’re already familiar with (FirstAid, UWorld, Sketchy, Boards and Beyond) have content for the clinical years as well. The key here is to use your time wisely. Your time is more limited, so it is important to make good use of any “down time” you have. If there’s time during the afternoon once you’ve followed up on your patients or if you have a moment while you’re waiting between cases, use that opportunity to work through some questions. Now if you’re in a lecture or your resident/attending is trying to get your attention, obviously that’s not the time to have UWorld open. If you’re just chilling in the lounge with some time on your hands, go for it! There’ll be less studying you need to do later and it really helps make the material seem more manageable. Lots of people will say to read about your patients. It’s a good idea, but I’ve found few actually tell you how to do that. I really am trying to get into a habit of looking up topics related to my patients on something like UpToDate, but it’s hard when you’re pulled in many different directions. Honestly, I don’t do this much. Don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t a walking encyclopedia who’s read thousands of journal articles. You will still be fine. If you have a commute, put on a good podcast as you drive to/from the hospital. Since it’s hard to make myself read articles, I’ve started listening to “The Curbsiders” and “PedsCases” instead. 10/10 highly recommend if you have a limited attention span like me.
2. How do I get people to like me?
For the first time in medical school (OK beside clinical skills), a portion of your grade will be based on others’ subjective evaluation of your performance. It can be anxiety inducing. At times you may feel you have no control over your evaluations, but that’s not entirely true. You hold a great deal of power here. Being yourself, keeping a positive attitude, working hard and maintaining professionalism will take you far! For the love of all that is good in this world, don’t lie about the specialty you’re interested in. Your preceptors truly don’t care and lying is a bad look. Also, don’t say you asked a question/did an exam maneuver when you didn’t. You don’t want to be known as someone who can’t be trusted. Show up early. Take pride in your work. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to check up on your patient. Learn everything you can about them so that you can be thorough in your presentations, assessments and plans. If you’ve been given a task to do, make sure to come back to the team and close the loop with any updates. Get to know your residents and attendings. I promise they’re not scary. They’re just people like you and me. You will be discerning which specialty you want to pursue this year, so ask all kinds of questions (maybe not during a code). People love to talk about why they chose their field. At the end of the rotation, if you and a preceptor clicked well, feel free to ask for a letter of recommendation. Some may offer to write you a letter before you even ask, but don’t assume that will be the case. You’ll need several for your residency application, so better to ask sooner rather than later. They might tell you to reach out again closer to 4th year, or may appreciate the opportunity to write it now while their memory of working with you is fresh. Don’t get in your head thinking about whether they’ll say no or worrying that you’re bothering them by asking. They worst they can say is no. If they do, count that as a blessing. You want thoughtful letters that showcase your talents and abilities to residency programs, so ask upfront whether your writer is able to write you a strong letter.
3. How do I choose a specialty?
The biggest dilemma of 3rd year is choosing what specialty you want to pursue. It’s a big decision that deserves thought and reflection. My advice would be to do some self-assessment. The Careers in Medicine page on the AAMC website has some great surveys to get you thinking. During each rotation, keep an open mind. Be fully engaged and try to picture yourself in the shoes of your residents and attendings. Do you like being in the hospital or clinic more? Do you like doing procedures, or could you spend the rest of your life without setting foot into an OR again and be perfectly happy? Do you like working with adults, kids or both? How do I truly want to practice medicine? These questions can help you figure out where your strengths lie. Take notes as you go through your rotations about what you’re thinking and feeling. For me, my blog has served that purpose well. Writing your thoughts down helps you process your experiences and capture your reactions. You’ll want to look back later as you’re trying to finalize your specialty choice, and it’s easy to forget how you felt on a rotation when it’s no longer fresh. Make sure to talk to your mentors and ask questions. They have so much insight to offer. You might just be surprised what they have to say. I’m incredibly thankful for mentors who saw qualities in me I never realized existed. In the end, this is a decision only you can make. Take what others say with a grain of salt. If their advice is helpful, listen to it. If people try to tell you that you won’t make it in the field you’re interested in because you don’t fit the mold of what x-type of physician is, I would politely ignore them. You know yourself the best. Don’t let other people stop you from pursuing your dream!
I hope this helps! Thinking back on all I’ve learned this year has been a crazy experience. It’s hard to believe that in one short year I will be a doctor and getting ready to start residency. As I continue to research residency programs and prepare to register for my key fourth year rotations this week, I’m humbled and excited to see where this next leg of the journey takes me.
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”
Aesop
Last week, I saw so many virtual graduation photos on social media. Realizing that my friends here will soon be graduating as well, and that my class will then become the fourth years everyone looks up to is humbling. Soon, I’ll be expected to know things and teach others what I know, a thought that is frankly both amazing and frightening at the same time. Reflecting on the last few years, it’s incredible to see just how far I’ve come. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was the new kid on the block. I was in a new state, starting at a school where I knew no one, and trying to figure out my place in medicine. Since then, I’ve learned so much and grown not only in my understanding of medicine, but of myself as well. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.
I recently had the privilege of sharing my journey to medical school with a group of St. Olaf pre-medical students. When telling him of this exciting opportunity, a mentor kindly reminded me that this is just the first of many similar invitations, though it seems so hard to imagine at the moment. Going back to speak at my alma mater was something I had wanted to do for years, but logistics and being so far away made it difficult to visit in person. It was a surreal moment where everything came full circle. I remember so vividly how appreciative I was when several recent graduates took time to return to campus and share a little about medical school during my time at St. Olaf. I had wanted to repay their kindness ever since. With everyone connecting virtually, it suddenly was possible to reach a group of students now scattered across the country. There were students from each year in attendance and all came armed with great questions. I feel like the virtual platform made it easier for me to be truly authentic with them as well. I was able to share how all of my best laid plans fell through (insert God laughing here) and that despite facing challenges, I was able to overcome them. In the end, my winding path led me right where I was meant to be.
The best question I was asked was the last. As the hour came to a close, the meeting host asked if I had one last piece of advice to give, what would it be? If I’ve learned one lesson thus far in life, it’s to never give up. Forget what the nay-sayers try to tell you. If you want to something, go for it! You’ll undoubtedly encounter challenges; failure is an inevitable part of the growth process. What’s more important is your response. When you encounter setbacks, don’t give up. Pick yourself up, reassess what you need to do differently and try again. My karate training has served me well here. I can’t tell you how many times I literally fell on my butt learning new techniques, or how many times I heard “Your other left Ms. Tich.” The persistence, goal orientation and discipline I developed have shaped me into the strong and resilient person I am today. I hope that I was able to offer the students a bit of encouragement in this season of overwhelming uncertainty. Though what the next weeks and months may hold is unclear, whatever challenges come next, I know I’ll face them head on with a little sass for good measure.
“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
Edward de Bono
Part of the New Year’s resolution I shared with you all was that I want to read more. I can proudly report I’ve read four books for fun since the beginning of the year, though my medical reading has some catching up to do. Reading has been a great way to pass time on rotations (Am I the only one who is sad this seems so long ago now?). Lately, it’s helped to take my mind off of the Stay at Home world we are currently living in. One of the books I read recently is Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, and I’m in love with it. It breaks down the barriers we put around ourselves that prevent us and our teams from reaching our full potential. She then demonstrates how we can combat these tendencies to become courageous leaders.
One observation she presented, which I think is all too recognizable, at least in my world as a medical student is the following: “We reduce work to tasks and to-dos, then spend our time ensuring that people are doing exactly what we want, how we want it- and then constantly calling them out when they’re doing it wrong… [This] leads us to strip work of its nuance, context and larger purpose.” Doesn’t that sound like the “cog in a machine” feeling so many healthcare providers have lamented against for years? We are continually bogged down by the EMR, insurance red tape and institutional bureaucracy, and what was our vocation has been reduced to a series of checklists. We’ve become so focused on things being done to the letter and putting up policy and protocols that the creativity and art have been stripped from our work.
Here is an example of how this plays out for us as medical students on rotations. When beginning a new service, students are often given little guidance for tailoring our patient presentations to the setting we are working in. Often, attending physicians are unsure of what we know, what experiences we’ve had or where our strengths lie. Residents are perpetually busy, trying to complete many tasks at once, and don’t often have time to sit down to orient us. When we do our best with what limited info we have, but then are scolded for missing a detail or not performing how the listening party would like, it’s easy to feel defeated. After I experienced similar situations, there were definitely moments where I questioned my abilities and was certainly less likely to speak up. Talk about impostor syndrome rearing its ugly head. Thankfully, those feelings never lasted long because I have a strong support system and encouraging mentors so the balance tips way toward the positive.
There’s nothing like a pandemic to upend how our medical education is being delivered. We’ve been given an opportunity to breathe new life into our profession. We have a moment to step back and question whether the status quo really is working for us. Spoiler alert: it isn’t. I’ve been inspired by the work my colleagues and I have been doing to put together a telehealth delivery system in our hospitals and how we’ve banded together to come up with creative ways to serve our community during this trying time. With courses being moved online, our board exams being postponed until who knows when, and the uncertainty around the timeline of our residency applications, we have a chance to step back and consider what medical education will look 20 years from now. Do we want it to be the same, or dare we create something better?
We have the opportunity to shift our focus from filling our brains with outdated trivia that has little clinical relevance, to learning the art of medicine. Let’s immerse students in clinical care early so they can learn from patients and identify areas of interest. Let’s foster creativity and innovation by promoting inventive spirits and humanism in medicine. Let’s make learning clinically relevant so we can develop our clinical reasoning skills. Let’s help students identify mentors to uncover and build their strengths, coach them along their medical education journey and advise them during the specialty selection and residency application process. I wouldn’t be in medical school if it weren’t for mentors. I certainly never thought I’d become a published author or present my research at a national conference, and had no idea I would be interested in MedEd. Thank goodness for mentors who see something in me, save me a seat at the table and encourage me to take advantage of every opportunity. One day, I hope to pay it forward.
As we move into week 3? 4? Infinity? Sheesh I don’t even remember how long we’ve been doing this physical distancing thing anymore! It seems like an eternity has passed since my surgery rotation came to an unceremonious end and we retreated into our homes in order to keep those working in our hospitals safe. I’ve felt all of the emotions over the last few weeks. My first was frustration, wanting desperately to find a way to help. I’ve been sad for my friends in the fourth year whose graduations and Match Days were cancelled. I’ve been worried for my friends, colleagues, and mentors who are facing this pandemic head on and reaching their max physical and emotional capacity. I’ve been anxious, wondering what the next weeks, months and year will hold as we move forward into uncharted territory.
Despite all of that, the sun shines outside my window over a gorgeous spring day that whispers summer will soon be here. Suddenly, life doesn’t seem so hard. I’m full of hope that we will get through this together. I’m grateful to have a safe place to lay my head at night and that my family is still working. I’ve been floored by the work that my classmates have put in to coordinate efforts that will address the needs of our community and hospitals over the coming weeks. I’m continually inspired by the dignity, grace and creativity of our administration as they work to come up with solutions to keep us learning, involved in patient care and set up for success as we apply for residency this year. We would be hopelessly lost without their leadership. I’m incredibly proud of my co-student reps and our teams as we work to take some of the burden off of our leaders and just know we are up to something great!
Time away from rotations has given me time to try new things. I got to brag on my classmates on the local news station in Norfolk and will be giving a webinar for premed students at St. Olaf because why not? I’ve been able to enjoy the beautiful weather, exercise more than I have in months (even if it’s just walking), and catch up on much needed sleep. Life slowing down gives us a chance to reexamine our priorities. There’s nothing like a pandemic to force us to rethink how we do things, but dare I say it’s about time? Families are spending time together, some for the first time in years. Communities are coming together to take care of one another, encouraging our healthcare workers, picking up groceries or prescriptions for the elderly, and checking on neighbors who are feeling isolated. When this is all over, let a healthy balance in our lives be something we don’t compromise on. Let’s recenter ourselves around what truly matters to us. Maybe, just maybe, we will find we are better for it.
The Music of Medicine 