Saturday, June 12, 2010

Residency Graduation

I know many of you have probably given up hope that we would ever post another blog, but take heart, I have finally found something that I feel is blog-worthy.

Yesterday morning was my residency graduation. Now, this is a little bit like kindergarten graduation because there is no new degree awarded. There are no caps or gowns, (which perhaps puts it even lower than kindergarten graduation). But like all graduations, it marks the completion of one phase of life and career, and the proverbial green light to go forward with the next phase. I was proud to watch as each of the residents and fellows with whom I have taken this journey walked up to the stage. I was also honored to have my husband, without whom I could not have done this, sitting in the audience to support me once again.



I have attached a video that Scott took as it was my turn to go forward and accept my diploma. Dr. Orfanos, our program director, said a few words about each of us, our future plans, our character, then chose a celebrity that he felt represented us. Everyone from Bono to President Obama was represented.




For me, this graduation is yet another reminder that our time here in Boston is fast coming to a close, which is bittersweet to say the least. As much as I want to hang on to this place and to the dear friends we have made here, I know that we have done what we came here to do, and to stay longer would be like stealing time away from what God has called us to next. Luckily, even though our move and the responsibilities of homeownership are fast approaching, I will still have some time when we get to Dallas before the real responsibilities of being an attending set in.

"What will you do with all your free time?" you might ask. We'll actually, graduation is not only a momentous occasion, but also a slightly anticlimactic one, because I still have to go to work next week, and possibly the week after. Oh well, the good news is that I only have two more clinic sessions until I never again have to have outpatient responsibilities. That's not to say that something may not change in the future, but for now, the inpatient setting is where I thrive.