Although your thoughts are now aimed at fellowship or a practice opportunity, I wanted to keep up my tradition of writing to you as you complete this important milestone in your surgical career. Now, even though the graduation dinner, chief’s roast and traditional hoopla may have been somewhat muted because of these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can at least take solace in the fact that all who love and cherish you are very proud of your accomplishments. Now you can begin to focus on the issues that you will face in the coming years.
If you are part of that vast majority of your graduating colleagues, you are embarking on or have completed a fellowship in a specialty that will hopefully give you many years of pleasure and deepen your commitment to your practice, whether it be in the community or academic setting or a blending of both. You probably have chosen a discipline—colorectal, plastics, vascular, trauma/surgical critical care, etc.—because it represents a defined body of knowledge that you can wrap your arms around and could refine your skills, or it may hold promise for a lifestyle that fits you well and serves the needs of your loved ones. If you are in that minority of your graduating cadre who will embark directly on surgical practice in an urban or rural setting, it will probably be a challenging transition, since your residency or fellowship has only begun to prepare you for the experiences and responsibilities that you will face during the next 30 to 40 years of your career.
So, what can I tell you, a bright, energetic, newly minted surgeon in your early or mid-30s, that you do not already know? The first thing is to not take yourself too seriously. This is a bit of a conundrum since you will have serious responsibilities, but it is important to remember that everyone can be replaced. As Charles de Gaulle said, “The cemeteries are full of indispensable people.” The humility of this stance will offer you some shelter from the burdens of the commitments you will make to your patients and from reckoning with your own imperfections. The second thing is to be kind to each other and to everyone with whom you come into contact in the hospital setting. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, people may not remember what you did or said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
You will be busy in your practice, but try not to neglect spending time with family. Do not let your intensity cause you to forget the central concerns of life. Make time to spend with your spouse, your children, and others who are important to you and who help you maintain your frame of mind and “aequanimitas.” If you’re lucky enough to have your parents or grandparents around, always give them your time and return the love they showed to you over the years as they supported you throughout your education. Use modern technology that you have at your fingertips to stay in touch frequently with those who you love and cherish. Remember to organize your time well to include educational and organizational activities that are meaningful.
Finally, my greatest wish for you as you leave the protective environment of your residency or fellowship is that you not only go out and do well, but more importantly, that you go out and do good!
Dr. Greene is a surgeon in Charlotte, N.C.
This article is from the August 2021 print issue.
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