F E ATU R E F I N A L
WO R D
Taking a moment
Halea Meese, MD, MS University of Colorado School of Medicine
To say medical school ended differently than I expected is an understatement. My class missed our Match day celebrations, our last-hurrah vacations, our graduation, and most significantly, a chance to say goodbye to the most impactful people in our journey to become medical professionals. During the last several months, I’ve had people approach me and say “You must feel…” sad, disappointed, slighted, you name it. But instead, the end of medical school has made me more determined, heartened and hopeful. These feelings come with a disclaimer: that my loved ones and I have NOT been the ones most endangered by this pandemic over the last few months NOR the ones most affected by police brutality, institutional racism and violence over countless years. That’s my privilege. With that privilege, I’ve been able to take a moment. A moment to coordinate 600 health professions students in a response to the pandemic and to be humbled by their selfless giving; to work on a project that ensures our colleagues and patients have a voice at the ballot box, not just in our exam rooms; and to start the long work of educating myself to be a better advocate and physician for Black, Indigenous and other patients of color. If this pandemic had never happened, if George Floyd’s murder had not been caught on film, I and my fellow graduates would not have seen loss so closely, nor would we know what it is to wonder if you’re going to be drafted early into a fight with an invisible enemy. So, “inauspicious” – that might be the right word for graduating as a member of the class of 2020. But with the help of our families, colleagues and mentors, we have recommitted to making our next moment better. ■
“You must feel…” sad, disappointed, slighted, you
F E ATU R E F I N A L
WO R D
It is my turn
Iris Burgard, DO Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
While reflecting on the last few months transitioning from medical school to residency one word comes to mind: unexpected. I had several things planned amidst Match Day, graduation, international trips and recharging before residency; things that were not included in my anticipation were a global pandemic or protesting racism in the streets of my city. However, this unexpected turn of events has offered me the opportunity to recharge for residency in a whole new way. As I sat as a privileged bystander and watched the way that COVID-19 disproportionately affected communities of color, low socioeconomic communities and other vulnerable populations, I yearned to do more. As I take the time to learn and educate myself about medicine’s history in racism and the role that the medical community has played in ensuring communities of color are less healthy than their white counterparts, I long to be in front of patients and do my part to build a better system. No, I did not have the last couple months of medical school that I thought I would, but I have also never felt more confident and sure of my passion to serve my community and the people in it. I sat as a bystander this spring watching the news and the time tick by with a voice in my head saying “not your turn yet.” However, as I write this with my first day of residency in a mere 48 hours, now it is my turn. And the unexpected part of this spring is the reason that I can say with confidence that I am ready. Some may look at this time as hopeless, but I see a huge opportunity in front of myself and my colleagues: the opportunity to continue to work toward a better system for all patients. And I believe whole-heartedly in the people who are a part of it and am so excited to be joining them. ■
name it. But instead, the end of medical school has made me more determined, heartened and hopeful.
No, I did not have the last couple months of medical school that I thought I would, but I have also never felt more confident and sure of my passion to serve my community and the people in it.
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