Dear Reader,
Our learners continue to inspire our stories collected in this second issue of Voices from the Faculty. Medical students’ eagerness “to connect and learn,” Dr. Backman writes in “Mindful Mentorship,” enables each of us to “relearn.” Our lives also are enriched by our patients. Even after 40 years as an oncologist, Dr. Buys values the wisdom found in their stories in “What I Wished I’d Known.” Often, it’s an unexpected insight as Dr. Davidson shares in “Grief Palliation at the Microscope.”
While COVID-19 is hardly inspiring, it has impacted all of our lives, personally and professionally. Dr. Brunelli wonders about justice in “Are Physicians Responsible for Everyone’s Health?” while Dr. Wei poses ethical questions about the coronavirus and vaccines in “Who’s Counting?” Dr. Brackman poignantly describes her isolating experiences as a “Pandemic Faculty Hire.” Yet, as Dr. Robson discovers in “Hitting Pause,” “people matter and you have love for everyone.”
“You,” writes Dr. Pippitt in her poem, are the constant, reassuring presence. The ambiguity not only engages each of us as readers but also brings into focus the love and hope learned from family members. Dr. Cariello discovers her daughter’s healing power in “Blister,” while Dr. Van Hala calls upon the strength of marriage as she and her husband confront uncertainty in “I Am Sorry, Honey.”
Unpredictability is rarely comfortable. Yet, during this past year, we have witnessed miracles, as Dr. Moore describes in his poem “Miraculous.” We hope our stories and poems reflect how extraordinary life is, especially during uncertain times.
The Editors
Fall 2021