Louisville Medicine Volume 70, Issue 3 | Page 22

Everyday Humanity

Medicine is full of big dreams . That ’ s probably the way it should be – big dreams change lives . Big dreams help patients with HIV see their children grow up , help grow organs from a clump of cells in a petri dish , help create a vaccine for a society-halting pandemic . But big dreams are not why I get out of bed every day to pursue a career in medicine . My 16-year-old self would be shocked to hear me say it , but the joys of medicine are not always in the life-saving treatments or cutting-edge surgeries . Sometimes , or maybe more than we realize , the little joys of medicine are what make all the difference for patients and their families - and for doctors , too .

Being human means having an inherent desire to be a part of a story , something that is bigger than ourselves . In medicine , we are allowed to become part of stories every day . We are afforded the opportunity to play a role in what can be the best and often the worst days of people ’ s lives . Although this may seem a small role , it can change the trajectory of the story altogether . Being granted the privilege to tap into this vulnerable humanity of others provides one of the most rewarding aspects of medicine . Few others are granted the opportunity to see the stories of others so closely . The first smiles of a newborn or the final steps after a long road of rehabilitation , we weave ourselves into the hopes and accomplishments that mark the lives of patients . Even in the hardest turns of a story , in the despair of losing a loved one or a terminal diagnosis , we have the privilege of being the role of supporter , of advocate , of teammate . Even in these more difficult times when our role may be in small moments of support , the simple ability to play a part in another ’ s life story is rewarding beyond measure .
One of the reasons playing a role in another ’ s story can be so fulfilling is that we have stories of our own . Being in medicine means having a mirror held up to you every day , reminding you of your own humanity . It ’ s easy to get lost in jargon and the idea of making the right medical decisions . This makes it so crucial to remember why medicine matters in the first place . Medicine matters because we matter to others . Organs don ’ t know how you like your eggs cooked . The rise and fall of hemoglobin doesn ’ t mean a thing to
20 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by ZACH THORNTON a gut-wrenching belly laugh between friends . One of my favorite joys of medicine is getting to see this humanity every day . I see it in learning how to read a smile behind a mask or in an elderly couple holding hands in a waiting room . And when I see these beautiful reminders of everyday humanity , I get that strange feeling deep down in my stomach that I must mean something to my loved ones , too . Although the reminder that we ’ re all mixed up in each other ’ s messy human-ness can get lost to the glamour of medical breakthroughs , it is what makes the venture of medicine worthwhile .
Having a good story is made so much better when you have others to share it with . In medicine , there is no lack of individuals who care deeply about being a part of your story . This village of people who make up the medical community is one of the aspects of medicine that has brought me the most joy . At times , medicine can be isolating . Stuck for long hours studying strange biochemical pathways and experiencing the nervousness and awe that come with walking the halls of the hospital for the first time , it can feel like you are deeply alone . But at the same time , medicine is a team sport . Joining the medical community , I have been surrounded by the most hard-working , compassionate , inspiring , brilliant and funny people I have ever met . In this community , we can be vulnerable together . We can laugh and cry , learn and teach together , always striving to help those around us . Every day , I am grateful for the little joys I get to share with my classmates , colleagues and teachers because they make the hard work worth doing .
The little joys of medicine are not what make medicine unique . They are what make medicine human and relatable . From the outside , medicine is about saving lives and making big steps towards the future – making big dreams a reality . This is true , but it is not what helps me end a long day with a full heart . For me , the joy of medicine comes in the privilege of meeting people where they are and being allowed to peek into their story . It comes from the simple reminders of my own vulnerability and the unwavering community I get to share my days with . In the end , these little joys of medicine make my own story worth telling .
Zach Thornton is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine .
This essay was a submission to the 2022 Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest .