LEADERS IN MEDICINE
Every Day is a New Day for a Smile
It was early in the morning , so early that the morning dew was still beaming down on individual blades of grass . I remember it being earlier than I wanted it to be and feeling slightly tired because I was not yet used to the schedule change . My commute was filled with delayed public transportation , cancelled ride share vehicles and two small fender benders that luckily caused no injuries , but just enough commotion for people to slow down and watch . I had just walked into the hospital with a few extra minutes to spare from a day of congested morning traffic and was wondering just how challenging this day ahead would be . I prepared myself mentally each day because I knew I would serve as both a leader and an advocate on my patients ’ behalf . Each time I get the privilege of serving on someone ’ s health care team , I have the duty and obligation to speak up for them and get answers to the questions they want to know .
I was concerned about the caseload and feeling around in my pocket for snacks , because I could already tell we ’ d have no time for lunch . We started preparing for the incoming patients and the staff began placing the individual patients in the rooms . One by one we went in , heard the chief complaint , started providing treatment modalities , saw patients primarily for follow ups and worked to
by SYMONE JORDAN
assess and address every patient and their families ’ concerns . It was a surprisingly smooth morning with the clinic patients , so some part of me was anticipating something big happening .
A few weeks prior , I ’ d seen someone and discovered a cancer in his mouth . Tim * was visibly scared , but upbeat , and optimistic about “ beating this thing .” We chatted for a bit about his fear , and he really began to come to terms with this new diagnosis , despite ( naturally ) fearing the worst . He did not have insurance , and I wanted to help him navigate and figure out how to get him the care he needed . As a medical student , my duties are often limited to the “ little things ” like holding patients ’ hands while they are in pain , providing a tissue or a soft pat on the back as I show them to the front desk . This time , he reached out for both of my hands , because I was clearly shaken by the news . I managed to muster up a smile and he said , “ Good , every day is a new day for a smile - because my brain leads my body and I have to show it how I want to feel and act .” I smiled so much then that he could see it through my mask , and we waved goodbye . I spoke to the staff and rounded up all the direct numbers that I could for hospital funding , care for patients with low income and free services in the hospital that he could take advantage of . I even helped him to figure out how to use a coupon prescription service , so he could get his same medications at a discounted rate .
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