The Teachers That Change Us Forever - Thank You

Well, I need to be honest here. This is now my third attempt at writing this. I made a fatal mistake, twice, that led to the deletion of a what I feel like may have been one of my best posts ever. Now, I am back in word, typing old school, because I simply cannot lose this again. I can only hope, I can remember this with the accuracy and authenticity I delivered in the last version. Thank you for witnessing my fallibility. Enjoy!

Once upon a childhood dream, I was going to be a teacher. Truly, a noble, yet under-appreciated, profession. But that was not the path I set out on. Yet, in through a circuitous route, decades later, I indeed have found myself a teacher. See, in academic medicine, we teach. I teach students, residents, fellows, and at times, other faculty and medical professionals. Sometimes life surprises us. Sometimes, the lessons we learn along the way change us forever, but we only see the change in hindsight.

I have had the distinct pleasure of having many teachers in my life, some formal and others, like my family and friends, more informal. But every year at this time, I reflect on the formal teachers who provided pivotal moments that changed me forever. See, June 30 is the end of the academic year and brings with it times of significant transition. Graduations and matriculations. Each of these time periods will carry quintessential skills and knowledge, but sometimes, the textbooks are not our greatest lessons. They are not the education that carves our identity and defines our values. So today, I want to thank a few formal teachers who’s words changed me forever.

To my elementary teachers who saw a spark, something special, and encouraged me. Thank you, you fanned the flames of confidence that have carried me through medical training to where I am today. You were the launching pad, and I am here because of you.

To my high school teacher who told me to aim higher for myself, because I was too smart not too. Thank you for igniting the spark that I could be more than I imagined. You changed my  path forever that day.

To my college professor who offered me a tutor within 5 minutes of my first science class, because it was going to be ‘hard’. Thank you for teaching me that gender bias is pervasive and that I need to face it head on. Thank you for being the start of my strive for diversity, equity and inclusion. And thank you, for inspiring me to prove you wrong by being your top student that semester. Without a tutor. In fact, I became the tutor.

To my college professor who believe in me enough to encourage me to apply to medical school, and then to be vulnerable enough to acknowledge you had never had a student successfully get accepted. We traversed unknown paths together, and you were a proven ally. I was the student that changed your track record. You showed me that new paths could be carved and history is only that, it does not need to predict the future.

To my medical school interviewer, who started by noting I was an ‘atypical’ applicant and then decided to interview me in German (one of my minors). Thank you for considering the value of those who did not fit the traditional mold. You took a chance and advocated fiercely for me, which I learned much later. I wholeheartedly believe you were the reason for my only acceptance to a medical school. Thank you for being an ally and a sponsor. Without you, I never would have applied again.

To the medical school faculty who told me my first year that I needed to dress more appropriately and more professionally, you succeeded, but only for a time. You taught me the antithesis of what you believed; professionalism is less about how we appear, and more about who we are and how we show up. You were the impetus for the transition back to what I decided was professional, which was reflective of who I am. Professionalism is not, and should never be, defined simply by appearance. Humanity is different, so is appearance. Embrace it.

To the medical faculty, who told me my chosen career path was impossible and suggesting I choose a more common road; thank you for enforcing my perseverance and reminding me that there is value in carving a new path.

To the medical faculty who once called me a ‘pioneer’ for carving a new path; I was struck by the comment and felt unworthy. Thank you for seeing and calling out the value in taking the unconventional route, for driving for change and innovation, even if I could not see that in myself at the time.

To the medical faculty who told me I would give up academic medicine and become a soccer mom like all the others, thank you for again reminding me that bias supersedes science. You further fortified my perseverance to succeed, even in the face of ongoing bias and discrimination. You were wrong.

To the medical faculty to who told me I could be a good academic physician, or a good mom, but not both; thank you. You reminded me always keep family in mind and ensure that I have the quality time I need, and desire, with my family. I would venture to say I in fact have succeeded at both, by many merits. Oh, and by the way, I am also one heck of a soccer mom.

To the medical faculty who took an unprecedented risk on me, thank you. You were the ally, mentor, sponsor, and now friend, that took a risk on me. We both know it. It was brutal at the time, but I know we both also are proud of the outcome.

To the medical faculty and organizations who offered me a job, thank you for being risk takers, innovators, and for your foresight. You are the ones willing to make a difference by disrupting the status quo. Thank you for continuing to be my supporters, even though we are in different places.

To my UNMC and Nebraska Medicine leaders and colleagues, thank you. You allowed me to join your ranks, welcomed me, and have given me the distinct privilege to continue on my road-less-taken path. I will be forever grateful to be part of this UNMC/NM family, and hope I can continue to be a driver of change of the status quo, for equity, inclusion, and diversity; and that I can become the teacher that positively changes the life of a student.

And, with that, as we prepare to for the dawn on of July 1, 2021, to the students, residents, fellows and new faculty – I am so excited for you. Yes, you will face hard times, criticism, naysayers, doubters, and for many, frank bias. But know, you have many of us as allies, mentors, sponsors, confidants and friends. You are the future change makers, the educators, the innovators, and another generation to lead us forward. Support each other. Cheer each other on. Strive to recognize and manage your biases (we all have them). Value collaboration over competition; and always remember that there is room at the table for everyone.

Finally, remember that some of the greatest lessons imparted on you will not come from a textbook or a lecture. Sometimes, what we need to learn most in medicine is the vast expanse of what humanity entails.