19 minute read
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR HAPPINESS
from 2024 RCSI Alumni Magazine
by RCSI
Does having a hobby, a pastime or a passion outside of work make you a better doctor? These six alumni think so...
DR HAZEM AL RAWAS | RCSI Bahrain, Medicine, 2012
Director, Alkem Health & Wellness, Bahrain
“I was born in Damascus in Syria, where my passion for music began to develop at the age of 12, nurtured by my family’s encouragement and the support of a musical schoolfriend. Initially drawn to the oud, an Arabian pear-shaped stringed lute, it was too big for my little body, and my musical journey started taking shape through learning the guitar. I began with music classes, then individual lessons.
“I now play several instruments, including the ukulele and the handpan, which has a really beautiful sound and is widely used in music therapy. I’m currently delving into piano as well. My guitar repertoire encompasses therapeutic, Spanish, and Arabic music, each offering a unique avenue for expression and connection.
“To excel as a musician, dedication and consistency are paramount and regular practice is the cornerstone of developing musical talent. I carve out time during my off-duty hours to practice and occasionally perform, ensuring a balance between my medical responsibilities and musical pursuits. I manage my time very carefully. After a stressful day, it is amazing to be able to take two or three hours off to play or to practise. Medicine is my priority, but music is the opposite of my stressful work, in a way. In another way, listening is the most important aspect of diagnosis; communication is the most important aspect of management – music has helped me develop both of those skills.
“While primarily a solo artist, I relish opportunities to collaborate with fellow musicians whenever my schedule allows. Sometimes I am booked by Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture to perform at festivals, concerts, or events. Occasionally I have a corporate booking. The social aspect of music, especially the collaborative nature of ensemble playing, is immensely important to me. The synergy among musicians elevates the musical experience. Playing music is a deeply fulfilling experience, particularly when I witness the emotional response of an audience, and feel a connection with it From the nerve-wracking experience of a broken guitar string mid-performance to the exhilarating moment when the audience joins me on stage, every musical encounter leaves a memorable mark. The therapeutic, healing impact of music is undervalued in my opinion. The universal language of music transcends boundaries, enriching lives and creating connections. And if I get an opportunity to speak to an audience, I explain how my musical message is one of peace.
“At RCSI I had the pleasure of performing at talent shows and acoustic nights. I urge every young health professional with a musical talent to embrace their passion for music alongside their medical career – both can complement and enrich the other. My passion for music has had a positive impact on both my personal and professional life. It serves as a potent means of connecting with others and fostering empathy, qualities that are invaluable in my medical practice.”
DR LEENA RAHMAT | Medicine, 2008
Medical Oncologist, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Washington
“At five years of age, I started riding lessons in Dubai, home to the world-famous Arabian ponies. I both ride and practise horsemanship (which encompasses the training, care and riding of horses) – two different specialties in the equestrian world. Both combine as a hobby for me; I do not compete or show.
“I don’t own a horse (yet) but I lease a young and playful five-year-old whose name is Teddy. I ride every week at an equestrian centre. I believe riding consistently at least twice a week is required to develop into a good and competent rider. Connecting with and understanding your horse are key to becoming an even better rider.
“My passion for horses and riding impacts my personal and professional life. Riding offers physical, emotional, mental and spiritual benefits. Physically, it develops core strength, motor function and balance which is helpful when on your feet at work.
“Emotionally, the connection with my horse is therapeutic for both of us and helps me recover from a high-tempo busy work schedule so I can return to work emotionally rested and be more present for my patients. The feeling I get from riding is bliss. When I ride I feel exhilaration, focus and an adrenaline-fuelled serenity. Mentally, riding keeps the mind sharp because it is a sport of lifelong learning, similar to the lifelong learning nature of medicine.
“Horses are extremely intelligent and empathetic and they can sense humans’ intentions, which keeps me honest. Spiritually, the connection with horses is unlike any other – it’s challenging to describe. Horses see their human as a calm leader. As a result, riding teaches me to be intentional, composed and compassionate while riding. All of these qualities roll over into my non-equestrian life, allowing me to develop healthier personal relationships with family and friends as well as provide more compassionate and better care to my patients.
“The social aspect of riding is very important to me: interacting with riders between five and 70+ years old allows me learn from more experienced riders and help teach less experienced ones. I make new friends at the stables and pick up pointers about riding and horsemanship from fellow riders.
“I remember once playing with a young horse-in-training and running alongside him. It was the first time in his life he ran with a human and that level of trust, connection and playfulness was truly memorable. On the other hand, I remember a terrifying moment when a horse mistook my wrist for an apple: he was licking my hand and wrist and the next moment he bit down. I heard a crack as my hamate bone in the wrist fractured. I was able to pull away my hand immediately. The poor horse was a bit startled as well.
“While riding may not be for everyone, my advice to young doctors is to remember that we are humans too – self-care and improving our quality of life is key to remaining fulfilled personally and professionally. Our hobbies provide a channel to hone skills that we use at work. Remain disciplined with your passions outside of work, particularly when life gets busy, because the busier you are the more resilient and balanced you will need to be to maintain a happy and healthy life – and be a better physician.”
DR JOHN LATHAM | Medicine, 1978
Retired GP, Inner City Dublin
“My dad built a wooden sailing dinghy when I was six or seven and began sailing. His growing interest in sailing meant I was learning with him on the various boats he owned. I was lucky that in Dún Laoghaire there was a good Sea Scout group which encouraged me to learn some seamanship. I was even luckier to go to a boarding school which had a fleet of Cadet dinghies on Lough Erne, and so spent much of my time afloat, avoiding more disciplined sports such as cricket and rowing! We competed in team racing with other schools in Northern Ireland. As a child, you can pick up the essentials of how to sail a yacht very quickly and it becomes almost instinctual.
“I was much involved in RCSI Sailing Club. We had a fleet of three Firefly racing dinghies – one of them was called Dysdiadochokinesis. We used to race against UCD, TCD and on at least one occasion UCC. It was always a struggle to get the RCSI Sports Club committee to release sufficient funds to maintain these boats. Dr Seamus Gallen controlled the purse strings and I don’t think he felt that sailing was a serious sport. I do remember on one occasion sailing Dysdiadochokinesis in Dún Laoghaire harbour with my classmate, Anne Prendeville. We were hit by a ferocious squall and capsized ignominiously. Poor Anne had had enough of my skippering and swam to the East Pier, squelching up the steps to safety. This has not put her off sailing and she now skippers her own boat on the Helford River in Cornwall.
“I have a half-share in a 10-metre cruising yacht. Scoundrel is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349, built in France in 2017, easily sailed by two people or even one, behaving well in all sorts of conditions and very suitable for the type of coastal cruising we enjoy.
“Most of my sailing has been around Ireland and the British Isles. I charted a yacht in Greece for a memorable family holiday exploring Kefalonia, Ithica and some of the smaller Ionian Islands. We circumnavigated Ireland in 2018 and have spent time on the West Coast of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Last year we cruised in West Cork as far as Bere Island in Bantry Bay. This year our focus will be on the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall.
“One of the reasons sailing is attractive is the element of potential danger and possible disaster. Of course, good seamanship reduces the chance of these events occurring, but they can happen. The most terrifying near-disaster happened at the end of our Greek cruise. Having left the rest of our family on Kefalonia, my wife Linda and I made the short passage to the small island of Kastos to the North East. The lovely little harbour of Kastos was calm and sunny as we manoeuvred to set our anchor. The chain became tangled in the electric windlass and the anchor was hanging down uselessly several metres below the bow of the boat. All of a sudden, there was a terrifying lightning flash, followed by the loudest thunderclap I had ever heard. A very strong gale blew up from the sea, driving us rapidly towards jagged rocks on the shore of the harbour. Torrential driving rain added to the chaos.
“I was up on deck struggling with the tangled anchor chain and Linda bravely gripped the wheel and engine controls. Responding to my frantic hand signals, she managed to turn the yacht around and with full throttle, steamed out of the harbour into the teeth of the squall. After several thunderclaps, having sorted the fouled chain, I looked around to see six or seven other yachts all belting out to sea with us, including an 80-foot superyacht that had been the scene of relaxed and luxurious cocktail sipping a few minutes earlier. When we eventually tied up to the pier at Kastos, we were physically shaking. A Greek skipper kindly greeted us with two shots of strong ouzo.
“How do I describe the feeling I get from sailing? Such a description might take thousands of words. In short, sailing a yacht feels absolutely right and when things are going well, it seems to be the closest one can be to being in tune with nature. Utilising two very dynamic fluids of very different densities, air and water, which are continually in motion, using sails, keel and rudder is both a challenge and an absolute pleasure.
“It has been a blessing to have a pastime that has allowed me to experience and enjoy tasks and challenges and a discipline that is so very different from those used in a busy, stressful and demanding career. Sailing has provided a wonderful way of allowing the effects of stress to slip away (for a time) and an opportunity to use a part of the brain that encourages a very positive mindset.”
DR TARA JAMIESON | Medicine, 2022
Paediatric Resident, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston
“I began my music career singing along to the Canadian national anthem on children’s television! My love of singing was fostered by my family. I’m happy to say I now sing, play the guitar and the piano and have my own YouTube music channel. I am in a band with two other residents at the hospital – we call ourselves RTA, our initials, but also an acronym for Renal Tubular Acidosis – we haven’t decided what type yet!
“I practise almost every night after work, unless I am on a night shift. I record a performance every Sunday night at home for YouTube. Our band plays at events at the hospital. Collaboration is as important in music as at work – I love the beauty of blending our voices.
“I play a variety of music – my tastes are pretty eclectic. Music that makes me feel something helps me with those moments at work where I need to call on my emotional intelligence. It also makes me feel better after a long day in a busy hospital. Since I spend most of the day working really closely with other people, it is relaxing to take a little time for myself. I start with the same scales every time; it’s both a warm-up and a meditation and gives me confidence to move on to new pieces that I’m hoping to improve.
“When I was a student at RCSI, I busked on Grafton Street. I also appeared on Ireland’s Got Talent, and I was Velma Kelly in Chicago, the first full-length musical to be staged at RCSI. We had great fun, and I developed good friendships among the cast. I consider the connection with music and with those I’ve met through music to be hugely important. Having a passion outside medicine has given me perspective. Without music, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. Music teaches you to work hard, to strive for perfection. I work every day to get a little bit better.
“To young medical professionals, I say make time for your passion. Music is part of who you are, and it’s very important not to lose who you are in the journey of becoming a physician.”
MS EMILY BOYLE | Medicine, 2004
Vascular Surgeon, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin
“I have loved music since I was very young. My parents sent my sisters and I to music lessons from an early age, bought us a piano to practise on and encouraged us though lessons, exams, auditions, competitions. Piano is my main instrument, and I also play violin.
“Music is a huge part of my life. I play because I enjoy it but there are so many other advantages – meeting people, performing in wonderful venues, distraction from work. I think there is a lot of overlap between musical and surgical skills: surgery is a craft discipline, it also requires manual dexterity, the ability to focus on the task in front of you, and to perform under pressure. I feel playing music has positively impacted on my surgical skills.
“When I was doing a vascular fellowship in Belfast, the European Doctors Orchestra staged a concert in the city. I subsequently joined the orchestra – a personal highlight was playing Mahler’s Leningrad symphony in Manchester with them. My friends and I have also formed the Irish Doctors Orchestra. Twice a year, we meet in a city for a weekend of intensive rehearsals and do a concert at the end of the weekend to support a local charity. We’re looking forward to our concert in Waterford in September. A musical friend organises a festival on beautiful Heir Island for a week in June and we play chamber music and orchestral music at that.
“In an orchestra, collaboration depends on the conductor, but for smaller ensembles you have to really communicate with your musician colleagues, which heightens the experience. In a large violin section, for example, you can literally feel yourself breathing and moving at the same time as your colleagues – the connection can be very powerful. Playing solo can be more challenging than playing in an orchestra but you have complete freedom over how you play and interpret certain moments. When I am in the right frame of mind and playing something I enjoy, it feels wonderful.
“I played a few times at RCSI’s famous ‘ballad session’. Some of my classmates played in bands – there was a room in the basement on York Street with a drum kit where they used to practise and when they played at full volume you could almost feel the building and your bones vibrate. There was also a classical music evening held in the College Hall, which has a grand piano. There was also an upright piano behind the lecture theatres in York Street that was sometimes played between lectures. The late, great Professor Monkhouse, who among his many talents, was an organist, used to organise a choir to sing at the annual remembrance service and I have fond memories of him conducting us in a performance of Rachmaninoff’s ‘Ave Maria’.
“It is important to keep up some interests outside of medicine as it is easy to let things go. There are so many demands on your time but making time for music is well worth it. One of the many things I love about music is that it that it almost forces you to take your mind off the job. It is both therapeutic and enjoyable. When you go back into work the next day you have renewed focus.”
PROFESSOR JIM LUCEY | Medicine, 1983
State Inspector of Mental Health Services, Ireland
“I am a psychiatrist, so of course I see everything through the lens of childhood. My love of music began at home. My mother played the piano, and she loved music. There were occasional musical parties with family and friends where everyone would sing a party piece, songs from Moore’s Melodies to Hoogy Carmichael, and there was something called a radiogram in the sitting room, a radio deep in a walnut wooden case with a turntable on the top.
“Our first stereo was purchased for my sister’s 21st birthday. I was ten. It came with long-playing records, LPs. These are my go-to records to this day: The Beatles, The Dubliners, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Gershwin. When I was 15, my younger sister Frances entered the College of Music in Chatham Street [now at TUD] to study voice with Veronica Dunne. Her career changed my life. Frances went on to make music her career as a professional opera singer. She still sings opera in Munich where she lives. It was through Frances that I met my wife, and so in a very meaningful way, I owe my happiness to her music.
“At RCSI, I was in a punk band called The Slipped Discs, with Paul Redmond on drums, Sean Perot on bass, Joe O’Neill on keyboard and Garvan Brown on guitar. I was a cross between Elvis and Freddie Mercury. We had great fun and we were very bad!
“The truth is that I don’t play any instrument. I wish I did but there it is. I sing (and for a brief time I too studied with Veronica Dunne) and I am in our local church choir. And I talk – so if I have an instrument, it is my voice. All attempts to get me to learn a musical instrument failed. Either I was too distracted or inattentive as a young boy or I was more interested in visual pursuits. I have always loved the cinema and I still paint. Since my retirement from clinical practice I have gone back to study painting with Ken Donfield at NCAD. During the lockdown I started putting my pictures up on Instagram and so I discovered a great way of connecting with people, despite all the obstacles and barriers between us.
“Although I have no instrument, I am fortunate to be in a wonderful band, called TAOC, or The Art Of Collaboration. It is led by the renowned international clarinettist Paul Roe, and it includes wonderful musicians like the uilleann piper Mick O’Brien, fiddle player Ultan O’Brien and the Coohe brothers, Shahab and Shayan, who play Persian instruments. TAOC has many other members from other walks of life, from engineering to computing and psychology. You may ask what I do, and the answer is I collaborate –sometimes in song but more often in spoken word. I really enjoy being with this diverse extraordinary bunch of people. The collaboration is everything for me. The opportunity to share with great performers and with the audience is hard to match. I love the mental health acronym CHIME. When music works for me, it is because to helps us to CHIME. That is, Connect to Hope with Identity, Meaning and Empowerment. If it CHIMES, it is working.
“We rehearse for specific events depending on everyone’s availability, but the performance is largely improvised. I am never entirely certain what is going to happen and that’s part of the excitement! The idea is to explore different approaches to collaborating while using music – using music-making as a metaphor for collaborative practices in general. We explore the variety of our natures and differing ways of working and playing together. We engage the audience in a musical mental health project that is different every time. We performed recently at the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Workman’s Club, and Tallaght Civic Theatre. Our stuff is available on SoundCloud.
“I listen to music constantly. I am currently going through a phase of listening to Erich Korngold. His music for the 1938 classic Robin Hood, with Errol Flynn, never fails to lift me. Pop stuff is James Taylor and The Beatles, so I am very much a child of my time. On long walks I listen to romantic symphonies, and let my imagination run.
“Music has an impact on our wellbeing and mental health that is beyond words. My advice for young doctors who are musicians is to make more music. Sing, dance and play as much as you can!” ■
