“Remember this day! Remember this day!”

These were the words repeated by my very dear friend on the day I was accepted to medical school. She forever etched a memory in my brain. I didn’t think much of the statement at first but after the 3rd and 4th echo I obliged to this request and soaked in the moment. This was the victory lap following the blood sweat and tears I shed as a premed.

So, I remembered…

I thought back to those sleepless nights studying, those hours shadowing physicians and volunteering, the summers I spent doing research instead of traveling with my friends, and all the money I spent on applications and interviews. I deserved it! I had worked harder than everyone around me to get to this point. I was on top of the world! I received a number of congratulatory phone calls and was paraded around town with my new title, “soon to be doctor”.

And then, I remembered…

I thought back to how nervous I was before the big tests and how uncertain I was of my chances at becoming a doctor when I didn’t score as high as I wanted to on my first MCAT. I remembered the many people who picked me up when I felt like the dumbest student in class and those who mentored me along the way. I even had flashbacks to my hospital volunteer days when no doctor would take a second to speak with two premed students simply looking to shadow for the summer. We felt as though we were always in the way, and this made us believe we were worthless. At that moment, I recognized how fortunate I was to be in this point in life and I vowed to myself that day that I would not be one of “those” doctors. I would not let this doctor thing go to my head. I would be grateful every day, not look down on others, and give back to those following in my path. I would be the doctor who spoke to the shy premed just wanting to learn and not bother the almighty doctor.

The Totem Pole of Medicine

Progression in medical training can be summed up this way; just when you begin to celebrate a new achievement, you quickly realize you are back to bottom rank. The med student looks down on the premed. The resident bosses around the med students. The fellow laughs at the residents. The attending plays god to all (well, except maybe the insurance companies). The system truly teaches many, especially the insecure and abused, to find someone to look down on. This classic case of displacement is prevalent in the medical training. Many desperately look to place someone beneath them in order to build up their self-esteem. Besides, they weren’t as smart as we were when we were premeds. Or, they weren’t bright enough to get into a US medical school let alone my higher ranked institution. Maybe they couldn’t get into medicine so they chose a “lesser” profession. Or they didn’t score high enough to get into my specialty. There’s always a way to elevate oneself.

Be Humble

Over and over again, I have witnessed and continue to witness medical doctors put down trainees, colleagues and even patients in order to magnify their own personal brilliance. Quite honestly, this disheartens me. As physicians and soon to be physicians, we are privileged to be members of a very prestigious community with good job security and influence. This however does not make us better than the next woman or man. A time will come when friends, family members, drug reps, patients, and strangers will see you in a white coat and fill your head up with praises. You will win awards, be asked to give presentations, and be applauded for charitable donations or activities. You will deserve these things because you’ve worked extremely hard but a conscious effort is necessary to keep yourself grounded. Always, remember you did not get there by yourself. Give thanks to all those who picked you up when you were down and those mentors who showed you the ropes. Appreciate the significant others who stuck by your side through the journey. Think back to the doubts and failures you had. The times you wondered if it was a mistake that you somehow made it this far. On that day, you get the news that you have been accepted to medical school, celebrate and celebrate well, but remember that day my friend. Remember the struggle and allow it to keep you humble.

PS… Don’t forget to call your mother!  

Written By Dr. Daniel

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