First Day

So...I don't know what to think yet. Lecture was straight forward. I've got to read for TBL at 8 am tomorrow.

I've got 3 hours worth of things to do today and about 4 hours to do them in....

I just want to touch on a thought from our dean this morning's Opening Ceremony for the College of Medicine.

He discussed 4 A's: Apathy, Ability, Affability, and Availability

He said....

Apathy has no place in medicine. You need to care.

Ability is what is required of you. You will have to apply yourselves to study and dedicate large amounts of time and energy to your schoolwork or you won't be able to do all that you need to be able to do  for your patients. The expectation of the public, of the faculty, and of the larger medical community is that you have certain skills as a result of being called a physician. You need to make sure that's true.

Affability in your personality will be necessary. Nothing is as good or bad as it seems. Bring light in every room you enter because even when you patients leave after devastating news, they'll be able to see the difference between the message and the messenger. Be nice to all the people who will look to you for leadership because you need your team to provide care. Everyone matters.

Availability is critical. Attend class. Why? Because what you don't know could cost someone their life. If you break a body, its broken. There are no short cuts. Be where you're supposed to be and be present.

Your patients will trust you in ways that they trust no other person in their lives.
Its an honor.
Its a privilege.
Its a responsibility.
Hold on to the gravity of what this means because if you do, it'll make you a better person and a better physician.