Dear Reader,
Within these pages, you’ll find narratives layered with reflection, growth, and the raw reality of our time in medical school. Written by graduating medical students, these 55-word collections capture moments from our 3rd and 4th years—years of transition from preclinical learning in the classroom to countless hours of clinical training in the hospital.
Voices From the Wards began in 2019 to bridge the emotional experiences of medical students across classes. This booklet is designed to slip into your white coat or scrub pocket—a small but powerful reminder that you are not alone in this journey. We were deeply moved by our classmates’ honest contributions and are honored to continue this tradition with the 2025 issue, sharing each and every piece with you.
We hope this collection serves as a testament to the unshakable humanity in all of us—to our shared vulnerability, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become. While this booklet does not aim to be prescriptive, we offer one simple piece of advice: When you find yourself in a patient’s room, uncertain of what to say or do next, take a breath. Slow down. And remember—above all else— to be a human with another human. We invite you to immerse yourself in these stories—diverse, poignant, and deeply meaningful—as they transcend genres, themes, and writing styles.
To Christina Ramazani-Necessary, thank you for your artistic contributions. Your illustrations capture what words often cannot, and this edition would not be the same without you. To our authors, thank you for your honesty and vulnerability— your words are the heart and soul of this collection.
Thank you for writing. Thank you for reading.
Keep creating.
With love,
Annie Galt & Maddie Bernardo