Tag: Personal Narrative
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The scorn of slow stitches
Anthony GulottaBethesda, Maryland, United States As a third-year medical student on my first surgery rotation, I had been standing consecutively for almost three hours. Until now, I had stood silent, watching as the attending surgeon excised a gangrenous gallbladder. Then, my focus was rapidly disrupted. “Over here!” bellowed the surgeon. I was being called to suture for the very…
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What is the point?
Aariya SrinivasanChennai, India I am yet another young doctor struggling to find a place and purpose in this world. When I was in medical school, all I could ever think about was how to get through the next exam. Most of us do. We sit for days and nights together, prepare for fifteen hours a…
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Life and death of a dog
Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe Dundee, Scotland We learn from the life and death of family pets, a microcosm of our own existence. We nurtured Petra, a guide-dog puppy, in our family home for more than a year, after which we handed her over for her formal training. She was welcomed as a star pupil for her social and…
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Regalia
Nancy L. HagoodCharleston, South Carolina, United States My medical school graduation regalia has hung in my closet for two years. It will never be worn. In spring 2019, I was a fourth-year medical student, planning to graduate in May and move 500 miles north to work as an intern at my first-choice residency program. After…
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In pursuit of parsimony in combat research
Jennifer HatzfeldFort Detrick, Maryland, United States Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. It was a short walk back to the research office, down a relatively clean, well-lit…