reflection
Finding Balance in the Midst of Threats and Chaos: A Journey of Self-Care, Passion, and Community
by Dr. Carla Pugh, Past-President of The Society of Black Academic Surgeons In today’s climate, where social issues often leave us feeling drained, maintaining a sense of balance can be a challenge. When asked how the current climate is affecting them, a few SBAS leaders shared their thoughts. Dr. Carla Pugh, Past-President of SBAS started the conversation by noting that self-care is a must and invited her fellow SBAS colleagues to share a few examples. Dr. Adrienne Cobb shared her deep love for plants, particularly her two Monstera deliciosa. Caring for her plants in Wisconsin's tough climate requires patience and strategic effort, which Adrienne has mastered. Her enthusiasm for plant care not only connects her to nature but also provides a calming space in her life. It’s clear that nurturing something to grow brings a sense of fulfillment and peace. “Taking care of my plants has become a meditation of...
Food for Thought – Culinary Adventures in Medical School
By Gizelle Francis Medical school is notorious for its long hours, relentless studying, and the ever-present pressure to perform. Amidst this, finding time for hobbies can seem almost impossible. For me, however, cooking and baking have become more than just hobbies—they are a sanctuary. As a medical student, I discovered that the kitchen offers a creative outlet that balances the intensity of my studies while nurturing a deeper connection to my well-being. Cooking as an Art and Science For me, cooking isn’t just about putting food on the table; it’s an art form and a science, much like medicine. There’s a certain satisfaction in transforming raw ingredients into a meal that not only nourishes, but also brings people together. The same meticulousness that I apply to learning anatomy or understanding complex surgical procedures translates into my approach to cooking. Each ingredient has a role, and it’s fascinating how a little...
From Passion to Purpose: My Journey as a 22-Year-Old Mexican Woman Towards General Surgery
by Paula Nieto Passion is a powerful engine that drives us toward our goals and dreams. When it is directed toward the well-being of others, it transforms into a meaningful purpose. As a 22-year-old woman in Mexico, my aspiration to specialize in general surgery is deeply rooted in the desire to serve others and make a difference in their lives. Currently, I am conducting a year of research to deepen my understanding of the field and enhance my skills as I prepare for my future in surgery. My family background, through which I have been involved for ten years with the association Amigo-Tez, supporting children from low-income communities in Mexico, has greatly shaped my perspective on medicine and medical practice. A Legacy of Service I come from a family that has dedicated its life to serving others. Since I was young, I have witnessed the impact we can have on...
SBAS – Sunday Series: Finding joy in the little things
by Dr. Crystal Johnson-Mann Most would agree that achieving the idyllic dream of self-care can be challenging at baseline, let alone when trying to incorporate it into a demanding surgeon schedule. The activities that fulfill one’s idea of self-care are highly variable, depending on who you ask. For some, it is a relaxing day at the spa; for others, it may be quiet and solitude in one’s “happy” place. In the current climate, self-care is of the utmost importance. But how exactly does one achieve it? This is much easier said than done, as one would presume. I’m an academic surgeon, wife, mother to 2 little boys, and a former D-I college athlete. I have repeatedly said at the start of each new year since becoming a mom almost 6 years ago that I would make a special attempt to really lean into devoting time periodically for me…to preserve my...
Egg-specting the Unexpected: A Medical Student’s Experience on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Fertility
by Meryem Guler BS The first time I witnessed a birth was in my third year of medical school on my OBGYN rotation. I found myself in the delivery room assisting the team by holding up one of the patient’s legs during her contractions and counting to ten for each push – a popular role amongst medical students. The patient’s mother was pacing the room around the team, as if walking was the only outlet for her nerves. With one final push, a baby was born screaming and crying into this world. The new grandmother rushed up to greet them, sobbing tears of joy. She kept repeating “they’re so beautiful” and “you did amazing” to her daughter and grandchild. Observing this scene, I thought of my mom and how she would react similarly if this were me. Blinking back tears, I had one final thought before I had to step...
The Shadow of Sacrifice
by Ashley Martinez I stared back at her feet in four-inch heels as I lay under my mother’s desk, awakening from my nap. A single mother of three, my mother worked what seemed like all hours of the day to make ends meet. As a result, I quickly became accustomed to napping under her desk after school or sipping on a juice that her client offered me and my youngest brother while we sat in the living room of a home we could only dream would be ours. Was her work ethic passed down to me due to genetics, model behavior, or a mix of both? Now, as a third-year medical student, I like to think it’s an accumulation of these factors, once fueled by the need to prove myself, but now sustained by something far greater. There was no doubt that I was smart. I took after my mom...
Waltz of the OR – Finding the Music from Within
by Minjal Patel There is an air of musicality that has drawn me towards the OR, whether it is the organized chaos of the beeping monitors or the sounds of steel instruments hitting the table as the team prepares for the patient to arrive. It reminds me of a Chopin waltz – everyone carefully navigates the space as the pristine sheets of blue are draped over the patient. Having trained in classical piano performance since the age of nine, I often find parallels between music and surgery. Those similar bright lights that shine overhead illuminate the surgical field while blurring the rest. While it may seem like a dramatic romanticization of surgery, I reflect on my training as a pianist, which spanned over a decade and has now become a pivotal part of who I am today. It transports me to the time I performed a structured Bach prelude in...
Getting the Reps In: Lessons Learned on Building Mental and Physical Strength While in Medical School
By: Rica Generoso As a third-year medical student navigating the clinics and operating room, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a lifeline. Many hospital experiences have left me in awe, bringing to life medical knowledge I’d only read about, but the emotional rollercoaster of patient care and the constant pressure to perform can be overwhelming. No matter how prepared I felt, you can’t truly understand until you’re in it. What tested my resilience wasn’t just academics but also my passion for physical fitness. Many who have blazed the trail before us say the most important thing you can do as a medical student is to keep doing what makes you happy outside the hospital. For me, that happiness comes from weightlifting. As a former collegiate swimmer and water polo player, I’ve always been at home in the weight room, and that love has only grown since...
First-Generation Immigrants in Medicine: Overcoming the Challenges
By Juliana Ampadu Otiwaah My Journey As a first-generation immigrant, my path to becoming a doctor was far from straightforward. My family immigrated from Ghana to Canada nearly 30 years ago. My father arrived first, working tirelessly to create a foundation for us. Three years later, my mother, brother, and I joined him. My parents, both blue-collar workers, did their best to support me, but they weren’t familiar with the complexities of higher education. When making decisions about my future, I had to rely on teachers and school staff for guidance—many of whom underestimated my potential based on early academic performance. Growing up in a French-speaking region and learning English presented additional challenges, as did navigating schoolwork without my parents’ ability to assist. By high school, I had unlocked my potential and excelled academically, but understanding how to pursue a career in medicine remained a mystery. Nursing became a practical...
Breaking the glass ceiling: Importance of representation in medicine
By Camila Gonzalez,MD The glass ceiling is a metaphorical concept used to describe an intangible barrier that hinders the career advancement of certain individuals, particularly those seeking to attain managerial or executive positions within an organization or industry. Unfortunately, this term can be applied to the current environment in medicine, where underrepresented groups such as women and International Medical Doctors (IMGs) face significant obstacles in advancing their careers. This is a concept that I have been dealing with for a large portion of my young medical career. I come from a family of strong women who did the best they could with their circumstances, between migrating continents and countries, taking care of their families, and assuming jobs that could bring food to the table and give better opportunities for the generations to come by sacrificing their dreams. A good example of this is my grandmother, who had a great affinity...
