Each year, GLMS invites physicians, residents and medical students to take part in the Richard Spear, MD, Memorial Essay Contest. Dr. Spear practiced surgery for many years in town and was famously a reader, beloved by his patients – his gift makes this contest possible.
This year, we asked our members to write on the topic“ My Medical Influencer.” We asked our members to think about their mentor’ s influence and how their guidance inspired them to be the person they are today. Across all entries, it was great to celebrate the power of mentorship, and we plan to share several honorable mentions over the next few months.
Please enjoy the two winning essays which, as always, were judged anonymously. You’ ll be reading more of them as the year progresses!
When my father died, I was only six months away from high school graduation and in the midst of applying to colleges. I had some decisions to make, including considering my college major. I loved music, but I would never be good enough to play professionally. I loved sports, but I could never become a college athlete. I enjoyed the study of mathematics and science, which came easily to me. The decision to pursue a career in medicine was influenced by my dad’ s deep compassion for others. Also, I wondered if advanced medical care would have given my dad a chance to live. I had read his emergency room report from the small county hospital that revealed he arrived at the ER alive, but they had no emergency trauma capabilities and no means to transport him rapidly to a trauma center in the capital city.
Once I started practice, my remembrance of those stories from the funeral home and the many personal interactions with my dad faded. They were nice stories, nice memories, but not relevant to a young physician practicing“ modern medicine.” stood in line talking about my dad. I listened and remembered the stories of my dad. Before I even realized, I was shaking the husband’ s hand and looking at his two daughters. Everything clicked and I knew what to say because my mentor – my dad – had taught me in life and in death exactly what to say and do.
For the rest of my career, I depended on the skills I learned from my mentor to lead me during difficult times in life when science could offer nothing, but compassion could offer everything. My dad, while he was not in the field of medicine himself, taught me a skill that is not learned in the classroom. He taught me to use the power of the human heart, to treat people with compassion and meet them in their grief, providing comfort and support.
Dr. Dageforde is a retired interventional cardiologist.
Once in practice, I was always running late. There was simply not enough time for my medical career much less for all the personal and family time outside of practice. One evening, I felt compelled to go to the visitation for a young mother who died after open-heart surgery, leaving a husband and two young daughters – an unexpected death with no advance warning. Speaking to the husband in the hospital was terrible for me. I realized I was focusing on myself. What about her family? A few days later I was running late driving to the funeral home. I was again filled with dread and sadness. I had no idea what to say to them. As I entered the room and stood in line, I heard people standing in line talking about this young mom in the same manner individuals
July 2025 17