Taking the Dive

Above: Jumping at Chadiere Falls in Dominica. Fall 2008.

"COME ON...
1, 2, 3... JUMP!"

In 2008, my group of Rossies decided to go to this place called Chadiere Pool in Dominica. I've seen beautiful rock cliffs like the ones at Chadiere in films, TV, and movies, and it looks quite easy to take the jump on the screen. From my personal experience, I have to say differently.

With my (somewhat) impulsive personality, the first thing I wanted to do when I approached those falls was jump right off like on the silver screen. When I got to the top of the cliff, I felt things were different. I looked down and I started to worry about multiple bugs that might run into my plan, most of them life-threatening (i.e. not pushing off the cliff hard enough and swiping along the rock-lined sides of the pool, me crashing into the bottom of the pool because it was too shallow, etc. etc.). My friend Karyll was at my back telling me just to do it, coaching my legs to finally react to nerve impulses the way that they should.

... And yes, after a time, I did it. It was so awesome that I elected to do the jump again.

With my exams being more critical than ever, I've had to take some time off to write this entry, as I've felt like I've had to redevelop my "Mission in Medicine." I've always felt that a defined mission of what I'm going into helps to motivate me with clear goals and outlooks. Here, spinning a more positive entry against my Overcast entry several weeks ago, I need to set come clear visions for myself. It should be good motivation for the steps for the future.

To me, being in the profession doesn't mean just becoming a doctor... I want to do so much more with the job. And as non-relevant as a bunch of pencil and paper exams (or even a "240" on Step 1) seem towards one's own physical ability to becoming a doctor, its a part of that leap I need to make in order to get to achieve these goals. Think of it as a Future Doctor's Christmas List... except I'm the Santa to myself :P. However, it should be noted that this is scheduled to change. I'll probably look back and laugh at this years later, because I did take the leap.

This is a leap that I really want to make: No more holding back.

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MY FIVE POINT MISSION STATEMENT
Revised May 2009

1. Do more than just be a clinician.
I've always had the idea of doing more than I'm called to do. I like applying things that I know to new procedures, perhaps new demographics, perhaps new cases. Staying flexible, looking for open opportunities, striving for not just "acceptable" and keeping an open mind should help me achieve this goal.

2. Act humble and professionally.
Like my Overast entry had brought forward weeks ago, I've never liked the cockiness factor that people wear in such a distinguished profession. I want to treat everyone from the patient struggling to understand my dialogue on diabetes to the medical student wanting to earn that degree. I want to treat the black, the white, the asian, the American-Indian, and all races in the same manner. I want to treat all socioeconomic classes equally. Everyone is entitled to the best possible care.

3. Enjoy every moment in my job.
There's going to be stress... it's characteristic of the job, and something I'll enjoy. There'll be even drama, awkward cases, weird patients, and potentially losses of life, but the twists and turns are things I'm looking forward to doing. Keeping it positive, I say.

4. Be willing to teach others and patients the wonders of medicine.
I see that as part of my job... to extend the effects of helping to heal others, I have to be more than willing to be receptive to questions, communicate answers appropriately, and admit when I really don't know things (and look them up too). In the information age, facts and figures mean power. By simply spreading them, we're empowering others to do good for themselves and others.

5. To become a leader in the progress of medicine in many of its aspects.
I think creating progress is just one of my favorite hobbies. Like myself, I want medicine to do more, for patients, for doctors, for healthcare management, and for medical students like myself. I'm not just looking for change, I want to be out there to create it. And this in itself can branch out to another mission statement of its own...