A Breath of Fresh Air...

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Sorry the posts have been scarce. I had an exam block to tend to...

Unfortunately, it didn't turn out the way I would have hoped. I think the fact that I have really, REALLY high expectations for myself makes it that much harder when I don't do so hot. But life goes on, and there is more to learn. That is what life is about right?

Right.

So we forge ahead, and yesterday we finished our pulmonology section in ICM (which could possibly be one of my favorites right now) and the course director was a shining example of someone who is "a light in a dark place". A 2005 IUSOM graduate himself, Dr. Carlos continuously encouraged us as students. Letting us know that he understands what we are going through, but also that we can do it. That no matter how defeated we feel, "there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is NOT a freight train". He explained the concept of "emotional intelligence" and how having it makes you an awesome doctor in ways that honoring every exam could not. He reminded us to "be encouraged" because those that struggled during the classroom years usually became the rockstars during the clinical years.

PRAISE GOD!

You just don't understand how on-time this affirmation was. He is one of THE FIRST professors to give us this type of positive reinforcement since probably orientation week. It was so refreshing, and I know it really helped a lot of us.

So there you have it, even in medical school having an awesome teacher can make a world of difference...

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others."  

- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, translated from Turkish