The Medical College of Wisconsin White Coat Ceremony is Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. I was honored to be invited to give a talk during the ceremony where the first-year medical students receive their white coats, symbols of their new profession.
I appreciated all of the comments that I received, both through the blog and in the hallways. I incorporated as many of the thoughts as possible.
My hope is that the students will learn to listen intently and intentionally to the stories that surround them. The ability to listen will clearly make them better physicians for their patients.
In addition, building on the writing of Rachel Naomi Remen, listening might even protect the students from becoming cynical and isolated from their patients. I tried to make this point with a couple of stories, some of which have appeared in this blog in the
past and in other
essays of mine.
Attached is the
final draft of my talk. Thanks again for your input!
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The following is feedback received for this blog:
Very nice. I really enjoyed reading your talk to the new students.
- rlbates
http://rlbatesmd.blogspot.com/
Our son David is an MCW M-1. Thus my wife Anna and I were fortunate enough to attend the MCW White Coat Ceremony on August 15 . Your talk was right on point as to the " big picture " in becoming an excellent clinician . Thanks for helping make the ceremony a very memorable part of a very important day.
- Lew Kaplan
Our son attended the cloaking ceremony five years ago and is now entering his second year of Residency. Your speech made me feel like it all happened just yesterday! Your words and encouragements were powerful and poignant. Thank you, for sharing your thoughts and for sharing your self with the students. Our son, and his finace', both from the same class, were deeply touched and influenced by your teaching, attention, interest and example. Thank you!
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