Rui Soares: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS PERSEVERANCE, EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND RESPONSIBILITY

Every time I put on the white coat, I am reminded of all of the sacrifices and hard work that was done to get to this point in my life.  This white coat is not just a symbol of healing but also a symbol of true responsibility.  The responsibility to serve my fellow men and women and aid them in attaining positive health outcomes, which has to be done through compassion and empathy.  This is a commitment and a life filled with service to others in need.  It is a true blessing and privilege to be given the opportunity to pursue my medical dreams.  

-Rui Soares, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Jessica Burlile: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS BEING A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

The first time I looked at myself in the mirror wearing my white coat I felt the weight of responsibility - a responsibility to be decisive and precise, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate for my future patients. In the white coat I looked as if I already possessed these skills, and the reality of the image that the white coat portrays sank in. Regardless of what specialty a student may ultimately choose to practice, we as doctors (and student doctors) will have the responsibility to be a source of strength for our patients. Whether celebrating successful treatments or guiding patients and their families through an end-of-life transition, a precise choice of words can convey a physician's authenticity of emotional expression and a clear understanding of the diagnosis: imparting physical, mental, and emotional strength to both patients and their families. This strength will aid the patient through treatment or recovery, and if recovery is not possible, give the patient a sense of peace - for it is not only in fighting, but also in acceptance and understanding, that there is victory over that which strives to break one's spirit and demoralize one's resolve.

-Jessica Burlile, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Sydney Dishman: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE

My great grandfather died in World War II, my grandfather enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War, my father was a pilot in the Navy for nearly 30 years, and my brother is currently serving as a Naval Surface Warfare Officer. Because of this, I have a deep admiration for our military and a sincere appreciation for the immense personal sacrifices our servicemen and women make every day to ensure our country’s safety and freedom. Earning my white coat means that I have taken the first step toward becoming a physician in the medical corps, where I will have the distinct opportunity to provide care for these brave individuals.

-Sydney Dishman, ENS, MC, USNR; MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Greg Stimac: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS PERPETUATING HUMANIST VIRTUES AND VALUES

We can all identify with at least one aspect of humanist ethics – the common good, knowledge, the scientific method, human rights, human dignity, creativity, and compassion, to name a few.  It’s through these interconnected principles that we can learn to identify with those around us and achieve ultimate fulfillment in life for ourselves and others.  Personally, many of these values have matured in response to my grandfather’s life story, as he was an immigrant from Croatia who was a victim of well-known and, equally, overlooked tragedies of the Second World War.  I’ve developed a humbling and deeply respectful temperament, knowing that I wouldn’t be where I am today without his sacrifice and compassionate nature.  Were he alive today, I know he would be proud of me for wanting the best in life for others.  Ultimately, that’s all he wanted for his friends and family… 

-Greg Stimac, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Jessica Haladyna: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS 110% COMMITTMENT

Each time I put on my white coat, I make a conscious commitment to go beyond 100% for everyone who seeks my help. I understand wholeheartedly that a patient is more than meets the eye. I will see someone’s mother or father, brother or sister, someone’s precious child, and someone’s best friend. Bearing the responsibility and honor of this white coat, I will embody compassion and tenacity to ensure not only physical, but emotional and spiritual recovery for my patients. Regardless of the long hours and the demanding schedule that accompanies being a physician, I will strive to serve every person with 110% of my attention, knowledge, care, and love. Always.

-Jessica Haladyna, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

John Solak: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS A PROMISE

As a United States Army Officer, I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. When I received my white coat, I swore another oath, the Hippocratic Oath. Both of these are grounded in service; to the nation and to my patients. To me, the white coat is the physical embodiment of both of these obligations. Every time I put on the white coat, I am reminded of a solemn promise shared by all men and women who serve a purpose greater than themselves.

-John Solak, 2LT, US Army; MD Candidate, Class of 2020

"My White Coat Means"

A medical student never forgets the day they receive their white coat. For all of us, it's the day that marks our entry into the medical profession. 

White Coat Day is exciting and intensely focused on the future. Ahead of everyone that receives that coat lies countless tables to memorize, stressful exams, long nights on call, and an inevitable caffeine dependence. The white coat ceremony is just the first in a long line of rituals that will bind the class together: anatomy lab, board exams, standardized patients, grand rounds, and more will still follow. And while the immediate future for every first year holds far more time in the library than in front of patients, White Coat Day remains a celebration of the therapeutic alliance we will share with our patients in the seemingly distant future. 

It is important to view the coat as a symbol of that alliance. It's the reason it means so much to us. At the moment we receive it, it is not only a reflection of ourselves at that point in time. Rather, it is emblematic of the role we hope to enter after years of training. The white coat represents a vocation that is becoming real. 

To welcome the class of 2020 to the medical profession, we invited them to participate in a photo series entitled "My White Coat Means." These photos and the reflections that accompany them illustrate the diverse paths that every member of the class has taken to this point. Their past experiences, narratives, and inspirations vary tremendously, but together they've started a long journey. As you will see, the white coat means something different to each of them. 

Photos from this project will be featured here on our website, in addition to our Facebook and Instagram. We invite you to follow along and get to know some of the individuals behind the coat. 

Hippocrates Cafe 5/6/16

Friday marked our final Hippocrates Cafe of this academic year. We had a great final show with musical performances by Hayden Dohnalek, Dylan Conroy, Guadalupe Osorio/John Guzzi, Zach Winchester, and John Guzzi and a reading by Johan Clarke. We'll be back at it with more shows (and food) in August!

Magnetic Poetry Contest at DML!

Stop by the lobby of DML between May 4 and May 20 and check out the easel! You'll see a whiteboard and a bunch of refrigerator magnets. 

Write your best poem using the provided magnets! The best poem wins a $25 Starbucks giftcard and will be published in the first edition of GUSoM’s literary magazine! Not bad for rearranging some words, huh?

Take a photo of your poem and send it to gusom.arts@gmail.com or tag us on Instagram @gusom.arts

All submissions must include the author’s signature in the photograph to be considered

Anything that violates the GUSoM Student Code of Professionalism will automatically be disqualified from the contest and be reported to the Professionalism Committee

I Can't Help Falling in Love with You

When we started the Music & Medicine program in August, our goal was to use music as a tool to create meaningful experiences for students and the pediatric patients of GUMC. By the end of our first trip, we knew the program would be a success.

That first trip ended with a visit to a nine year-old girl in the transplant unit, who, for the sake of this story, we will call Amy. Amy left an instant impression on all of the volunteers that day. Full of joy and charisma, she became our director and led us through renditions of her favorite songs: “Let It Go” from the movie “Frozen” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis Presley. After that, no trip was complete without a visit to Amy’s room to play those songs and whatever else was stuck in her head that week. Through music, we became close with Amy and her family and were lucky enough to share in the love and happiness they exuded.

Heartbreakingly, Amy recently passed away. The news devastated our volunteers, her providers, and everyone in the hospital that felt a personal connection to Amy (from the cleaning staff to the chaplain). We, like everyone else that came to know her, counted her as a friend. As she once told the Child Life staff, “Those aren’t the medical students; they’re my friends!” She brought out smiles, laughter, and the inner Disney princess in all of us.

As soon as we heard the news, Music & Medicine came together to play “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” one last time for Amy and her family. The recording process was reflective and healing for our volunteers, and we hope that the song is able to return a fraction of the love that Amy and her family gave to us. 

Piano: Zach Winchester 

Guitar: Dylan Conroy, John Guzzi, Joe Serino

Violin: Sarah Dermody

Vocals: Ana Arriola, Dylan Conroy, Steph Davis, Hayden Dohnalek, Reuben Falola, Clare Goggins, John Guzzi, Twyla Jaymes, Kim Johnson, Ryan Keane, RJ Marchese, Christine Papastamelos, Sarah Schuessler, Maura Thornton, Zach Winchester

Arrangement, Recording, and Mixing: John Guzzi