What I Learned in Medical School : Personal Stories of Young Doctors

Like many an exclusive club, the medical profession subjects its prospective members to rigorous indoctrination: medical students are overloaded with work, deprived of sleep and normal human contact, drilled and tested and scheduled down to the last minute. Difficult as the regimen may be, for those who don't fit the traditional mold--white, male, middle-to-upper class, and heterosexual--medical school can be that much more harrowing. This riveting book tells the tales of a new generation of medical students--students whose varied backgrounds are far from traditional. Their stories will forever alter the way we see tomorrow's doctors. In these pages, a black teenage mother overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, an observant Muslim dons the hijab during training, an alcoholic hides her addiction. We hear the stories of an Asian refugee, a Mexican immigrant, a closeted Christian, an oversized woman--these once unlikely students are among those who describe their medical school experiences with uncommon candor, giving a close-up look at the inflexible curriculum, the pervasive competitive culture, and the daunting obstacles that come with being ''different'' in medical school. Their tales of courage are by turns poignant, amusing, eye-opening--and altogether unforgettable.

a Heartfelt, Sincere, And Broad-ranging Collection Of Voices From The Depths Of Struggle In Medical Education. You Will Find Here Doubts, Anger, Surprise, Sometimes Naivete—and You Will Also Find Hope.—atul Gawande, M.d., Author Of complications: A Surgeon's Notes On An Imperfect Science

this Vibrant Collection Celebrates The Diversity Of Medical Trainees' Experiences And Brings To The Forefront Voices Too Often Marginalized In Medicine. Testament To The Changing Face Of The Profession, This Volume Reminds Both Healers And Patients That Medicine's Strengths Arise From The Rich Variety Of Its Practitioners.—sayantani Dasgupta, Md, Mph, Author Of her Own Medicine: A Woman's Journey From Student To Doctor

the Book Has Tremendous Educational Value And Could Be Used As A Catalyst For Change.—maureen S. O'leary, Mba, Rn, Executive Director Of The Gay And Lesbian Medical Association

in These Beautifully Written And Deeply Honest Essays, Medical Students Share A Commitment To Humanity That Heals The Wounds Of Isolation And Reveals The Power Of Diversity In The Service Of Life. what I Learned In Medical School is A Special Book. Read It. It Will Make You Proud To Know Your Doctor.—rachel Naomi Remen, Author Ofkitchen Table Wisdom

an Intriguing Collection Of Strong And Varied Voices From The Next Generation Of Doctors. The Narratives In This Book Challenge Our Assumptions About Medical Education And What Makes A Good Physician, While Reminding Us, By Their Power, Variety, And Sincerity, Of The Many Different Roads That Can Be Followed Into Medicine. The Reader Comes Away With An Appreciation For The Richness And Complexity That Broadening The Traditional Profile Of Medicine And Doctors Brings To The Profession And Its Practices.—perri Klass, Md, Author Of a Not Entirely Benign Procedure: Four Years As A Medical Student

this Wonderful, Thoughtful, And Sometimes Bitterly Humorous Collection Of Personal Stories From Medical Students Details What The Medical Practitioners Of The Future Think About The Medical Establishment And Its Brutal Educational Program. The Process Of Becoming An Md Alienates Many But Builds A Shared Belief That Struggle Builds Strength For A Rewarding Professional Future. Doctors And Patients Alike Will Find Reading About These Journeys A Fascinating Experience.—frances K. Conley, M.d., Author Of walking Out On The Boys And Professor Emerita Of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School Of Medicine

Like Many an Exclusive Club, the medical profession subjects its prospective members to rigorous indoctrination: medical students are overloaded with work, deprived of sleep and normal human contact, drilled and tested and scheduled down to the last minute. Difficult as the regimen may be, for those who don't fit the traditional mold -- white, male, middle-to-upper class, and heterosexual -- medical school can be all the more harrowing. This riveting book tells the tales of a new generation of medical students -- students whose varied backgrounds are far from traditional. Their stories will forever alter the way we see tomorrow's doctors. In these pages, a black teenage mother overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, an observant Muslim dons the hijab during training, an alcoholic hides her past. We hear the stories of a Vietnamese refugee, a Mexican immigrant, a closeted Christian, an overweight woman. These once unlikely students are among those who describe their medical school experiences with uncommon candor, providing a close look at the inflexible curriculum, the pervasively competitive culture, and the daunting obstacles that come with being "different" in medical school. Their tales of courage are by turns poignant, amusing, eye-opening -- and altogether unforgettable. FOREWORD......Page 14 PART ONE: LIFE AND FAMILY HISTORIES......Page 26 BECOMING AN AMERICAN......Page 34 MELANIE’S STORY......Page 44 PAVEMENT......Page 48 WHISPERS FROM THE THIRD GENERATION......Page 56 BORDERLANDS......Page 62 POISON IN MY COFFEE......Page 72 PART TWO: SHIFTING IDENTITIES......Page 80 NECESSARY ACCESSORIES......Page 88 MEDICAL SCHOOL METAMORPHOSIS......Page 95 WHY AM I IN MEDICAL SCHOOL?......Page 100 MY SECRET LIFE......Page 105 FIVE POINTS OFF FOR GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL......Page 112 PARASYMPATHIZING......Page 117 SOMETIMES, ALL YOU CAN DO IS LAUGH......Page 139 A PRAYER FROM A CLOSETED CHRISTIAN......Page 146 SEEING WITH NEW EYES......Page 151 PART THREE: CONFRONTED......Page 160 HOKA HEY......Page 168 MY NAMES......Page 170 A CASE PRESENTATION......Page 179 UROLOGY BLUES......Page 186 LIKE EVERYONE ELSE......Page 193 DARING TO BE A DOCTOR......Page 202 A GRADUATION SPEECH......Page 207 AFTERWORD......Page 214 FURTHER READING......Page 220 CONTRIBUTORS......Page 224 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 230 PHOTO CREDITS......Page 234 Tells the tales of a different generation of medical students - students whose varied backgrounds are far from traditional - in which, a black teenage mother overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, an observant Muslim dons the hijab during training, and an alcoholic hides her addiction. A collection of essays in which recent medical school graduates share their experiences, recounting their most difficult obstacles, touching cases, and stressful shifts The field of medicine, with its aura of mystique and importance, holds a great attraction.