SHARING GRATITUDE
Sharing Love With a Name
On my first day of orientation for medical school , I woke up feeling on top of the world . I felt more confident than ever before . I put on a new dress , made myself my favorite breakfast and jammed out to some female rap on my walk to school . However , as I turned the corner and laid eyes on 150 strangers , each undoubtedly exceptional and accomplished , I couldn ’ t help but feel a little smaller . The excitement I woke up with was suddenly accompanied by nervousness as I imagined the journey we would embark on together over the next four years .
Of all the wonderful first encounters with people that would become dear to me , one tiny detail has always stood out in my mind . Tony Simms , our incredible Student Affairs leader , addressed me by my first name . It might seem trivial , but it certainly was not to me . He didn ’ t have a list of names in his hand and I ’ m pretty certain my name tag fell off within the first 30 minutes . He just knew who I was and cared enough to take a moment to acknowledge me . During that time of novelty and uncertainty , the simple act of being recognized provided unexpected comfort and grounded me in that new environment .
The importance of this gesture has resurfaced often as I am now in my third year , completing clinical rotations . As third-year students , we are eager to learn medicine , seeking out mentorship , career guidance and hoping to feel as though we are part of our teams . This is also an emotionally taxing year . We constantly ask ourselves if people think we are smart , if they actually like us and if they will remember us enough to provide a true evaluation . As students , we often reflect on our rotations not in terms of what we learned or the cool procedures we saw , but more so in terms of how our team made us feel .
Navigating the complexities of third year , both professionally and emotionally , is quite difficult when we often go unnoticed and unnamed . Jumping between specialties , interacting with various attendings and residents , we are hoping that our hard work will not go unnoticed amidst the chaos . Drawing inspiration from the ULSOM Student Affairs staff , I believe there is a profound lesson to be learned about the impact small gestures can have on students , especially in clinical rotations . Addressing individuals by their names is not merely a social nicety or formality , but an
10 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by ANNE CLAIRE CLEMMONS , MS3
acknowledgement of their identity that fosters connection , respect and a sense of belonging .
Addressing someone by their name is an immediate recognition of their individuality . Our names are at the core of our identity , encapsulating our history , culture and experiences . The use of a name is an expression of respect and dignity . It acknowledges the inherent worth of the individual , irrespective of their role . This is huge in the ultra-hierarchical system of medical education that can be intimidating for students . This small act helps to create an inclusive environment for students . Using a name opens a door for genuine and meaningful communication between people . It signals investment in the interaction and lets the other person feel seen and valued . It also establishes a foundation for trust , creating a comfortable space where students feel empowered to actively participate in our education and show our curiosity by asking important questions about medical and ethical considerations at play in our patient ’ s care .
I think that personalizing interactions with students not only contributes to our learning experience , but also has the potential to enrich the work life of attending physicians . While I ’ m sure precepting students can be laborious , by taking the time to interact more extensively with us you not only create a positive learning environment , but you are able to share your wealth of experiences and refine teaching skills in a more meaningful way . It also provides an opportunity for more thorough and genuine feedback for us , which is vital for our development and self-reflection . We greatly admire all of you and feel honored to learn from your expertise . Being recognized by you ( even if it takes a few times to get it right ) is such a reward and reminds us that we , as aspiring physicians , will someday fill the shoes you now occupy .
In a space where us future physicians feel recognized , we will ask more , learn more and will hopefully take this sentiment with us as we transition in our roles as doctors , teachers and mentors . I love this quote by Dale Carnegie , a great American writer and lecturer : “ Remember that a person ’ s name is to that person , the sweetest and most important sound in any language .” In this season of love , I hope we can all remember how sweet it is to feel seen , valued , to feel like we belong . I hope we take this simple gesture of addressing someone by name into our interactions with learners , faculty , staff and all of the folks we are fortunate to know – by name .
Anne Claire Clemmons is a third-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine .