school and complete training . When caught up in the trials and tribulations of training , I know at times I have lost sight of how much of a gift this all was . However , I have found that it is in the moments after a heartfelt conversation with a patient or family or in that moment when we get to see all our hard work and the behind-the-scenes sacrifice pay off , that we are able to step back and see this magnificent forest for more than just the trees .
Our voices hold so much weight in clinical and sociopolitical settings ; our unique position to provide for the needs of our community and patients is truly a gift . Someone could spend an entire life dedicated to one of the many facets that comes along with a physician ’ s job description , and honestly , it ’ d probably still be a rigorous , full-time job . Yet despite this , we still chose medicine , and I think it ’ s partly because of the many hats we get the privilege of wearing . We are gifted with a loud voice that can be used to be advocates in our community , advocates on a legislative level , as supporters of research and innovation , as opinion piece writers and as a trusted source of information and education … the list goes on and on and on . What other career provides that degree of breadth and capability , on top of an already incredibly fulfilling , science-based career ?
There are so many things I think I could do other than medicine , but I doubt any would be as truly fulfilling or enjoyably challenging . Even during these first few years of training , I have gotten to experience more depth and complexity of the human experience than I could have ever imagined . I credit many of the patients , families , physicians , nurses , researchers and staff I have gotten to work with thus far in helping shape me into an individual I ’ m proud to be .
In other words , if I weren ’ t a doctor , I wouldn ’ t really be me . Would you ?
Dr . Wessel is a pediatric neurology resident at Lurie Children ’ s Hospital in Chicago and a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine .
This essay was a submission to the 2024 Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest .
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