Transformational Times
Words of Hope, Character & Resilience from our Virtual Community
Friday, August 21, 2020
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In this Issue:
Editor's Corner
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Bruce Campbell, MD: 13,000 Days on the Hamster Wheel: Finding Meaning on the Way to Retirement
Opinion
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Robert N. Golden, MD and Joseph E. Kerschner, MD: There is a Safe, Healthy Path Forward from the Ravages of the Coronavirus
Perspective
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Jeff Fritz, PhD: The When and Why of my Good Trouble in Medical Education
Poetry Corner
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Olivia Davies: Sutures and Stones
Your Turn
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See how readers answered last week's prompt: What binge-worthy TV series are you watching right now?
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Respond to this week's prompt: What quote or saying has been on your mind lately?
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Respond to the AAMC: Call for Creative Expressions in Times of Extremity
Announcements & Resources
- Register for the Kern Institute's Upcoming Virtual Events
- Kern National Network Connections Newsletter - August 2020
- Enter the Student Essay Contest on Character in Medicine
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Editor's Corner
13,000 Days on the Hamster Wheel: Finding Meaning on the Way to Retirement
by Bruce H. Campbell, MD
Dr. Campbell reflects on how the self-care trajectory on which we place our students and residents will carry them beyond their careers …
Medicine differs from many other professions. Once a physician joins a practice, it is possible to become a perpetual-motion machine, working day-after-day, seeing patients and generating revenue. As long as the physician directly or indirectly generates enough cash flow to pay salaries, keep the lights on, and move the enterprise forward, the process can continue unabated. Theoretically, this hamster-on-a-wheel activity can continue for around 13,000 days. That’s thirty-five years. Then the hamster retires, and another is recruited to keep the wheel turning.
Of course, I don’t usually view myself, our students, or our residents as hamsters, but there have been days when the thought crossed my mind. Still, what can medical educators do to prepare the next generation of physicians in ways that will enrich – rather than deaden – their lives and careers? And how do we help our trainees step back and begin to grasp the arc of their journeys from graduation to retirement?
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
August 19, 2020
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There is a Safe, Healthy Path Forward from the Ravages of the Coronavirus
by Robert N. Golden, MD, Dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, Dean of the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine.
You do not have to be a doctor to understand the terrible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Wisconsin, new COVID-19 infections continue to rise. The virus has killed more than 1,000 Wisconsinites — almost 225 in the past 30 days alone. Similar trends are occurring nationwide.
Our country needs a new path forward in the battle against the virus. The state’s two medical schools — the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin — are heading up this fight by launching innovative COVID-19 clinical trials, developing rapid diagnostic testing, studying the complexities of this virus and increasing our capacity to offer telehealth and virtual visits. Our physicians, nurses and other health care professionals are working tirelessly.
But these frontline fighters need support from everyone to limit the spread of this virus.
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Perspective
The When and Why of my Good Trouble in Medical Education
by Jeff Fritz, PhD
Dr. Fritz, a founding member of the MCW-Central Wisconsin faculty, finds inspiration in old books and documents that push us in the direction of “good trouble.” In this essay, he points to some areas where he believes we need to make changes...
I enjoy old documents. One of my hobbies is finding old books – like ones that explain medical treatments – with copyright dates prior to 1900. I keep searching for older and older volumes of the drawings by Dr. Frank Netter and the first editions by Dr. William Osler.
My family asks me why I keep exploring for things that could be found on the internet. For me, holding these works provides inspiration. Older documents let me adopt the perspective of the writer, give me a glimpse of their experiences, and encourage me to continue to look for solutions to age-old problems.
Often, older documents tell me when and why I need to act – they illuminate those areas where I need to get into “good trouble.”
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Poetry is central to the very core of humanity.
It is universal in its accessibility, yet infinitely diverse
in its interpretation.
Each week we hope you will join us by submitting your own written word or the words of other poets you’ve come across that speak to you, even if only for a moment. Submitted poems need not be medical in nature. Please send your submissions to Olivia Davies and Scott Lamm.
We are excited to invite you to join us week to week for a featured poem from our community. This week, we're kicking off with a poem written by Olivia Davies and originally published by In-Training:
Sutures and Stones
by Olivia Davies
Superficial to deep, deep to superficial,
90 degrees, in and out,
Not too deep, filled with doubt.
Don’t buttonhole; don’t pull too tight;
There is such a thing as doing it right.
(And I’d show you if it wouldn’t take all night.)
Prolene, vinyl, monocryl...
Stop.
2-0, 4-0, 6-0...
Pop.
Needle driver, critique-survivor,
Running subQ, interrupted
by you.
Pick-ups, slip ups, let down:
Anesthesia’s waiting.
All eyes on me.
Superficial to deep, deep to superficial.
Please don’t falter; please don’t break.
I’d do it if there wasn’t so much at stake.
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“Some countries are going to be lucky, entering into contracts with a candidate that’s going to demonstrate efficacy. Other countries are going to pursue deals with candidates that are going to fail and they’ll get nothing.”
quote by
Katherine O’Brien, MD, MPH
Director of Immunization, World Health Organization
"Coronavirus Crisis Has Made Brazil an Ideal Vaccine Laboratory"
New York Times - August 15, 2020
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In the darkness of our world today, Bob’s Burgers is my guiding light.
Not only does he serve up burgers, but plentiful giggles, a family-style platter of silly musical numbers, and a comedy of errors are always on the menu.
- Natalie Honan, Medical Student
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Schitt's Creek!
Brilliant cast, amazing comedy that also hits you hard in the feels!
- Jess Sachs, Medical Student
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Responses from Instagram
Teenage Bounty Hunters! (Netflix) -Laura Grogan, Medical Student
Turn -it’s an addictive and surprisingly accurate account of the Revolutionary War and how General Washington used secret spies to win the war. -Julia Schmitt, MCW Staff
The Politician -Quamaine Bond, Medical Student
Selling Sunset!!! -Anonymous
Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon Prime) -Matthew Letizia, PharmD
Avatar: The Last Airbender -Janna Ochoa, Medical Student
Love on the Spectrum -Teresa Pattituci, PhD
Grey’s Anatomy -Anonymous
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What We Do in the Shadows
-a hilarious mockumentary that follows four ancient vampires living together in Staten Island. There are 2 seasons with 10 episodes- about 30 minutes each- which make it perfect for a quick, amusing, break from reality binge.
Our house is on a second watch through and enjoying it just as much as the first time.
- Anonymous
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I am over 55 and feel silly to admit I have been binge watching many shows via Netflix and Amazon Prime! I cannot believe I have a list:
Ozark
-very good, although I would not have gotten into that mess!
Selling Sunset
-a good show on office politics and interpersonal relationships that are both in and out of the office.
Riverdale
-a show similar to Dawson's Creek back in the 90's, but somewhat unrealistic...yet I cannot stop watching.
- Anonymous
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Respond to next week's reflection prompt:
What quote or saying has been on your mind lately?
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Share Your Story!
Click anywhere on the image to learn about the AAMC's partnership with StoryCorps and the National Endowment for the Arts to collect stories and poetry from health care professionals relating to their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, racism, and persistent inequities in America.
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Connection Cafe Presentation
Student Mental Health Climate Survey 2020: How are we doing?
by David J. Cipriano, PhD, Director of Student and Resident Behavioral Health, Medical College of Wisconsin
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September 17, 2020
Live Virtual Presentation
4:00 - 5:00 pm CT
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Grand Rounds Panel Presentation
Navigating Ethical Issues in Resource Allocation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Please join us for a panel presentation and Q&A with members of the MCW Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities including Arthur R. Derse, MD, JD; Mary E. Homan, DrPH, MA, MSHCE; Fabrice Jotterand, PhD, and Ryan Spellecy, PhD
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September 24, 2020
Live Virtual Presentation
9:00 - 10:00 am CT
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Transformational Ideas Initiative
MCW Education Innovation Celebration!
Please join us in celebrating innovative ideas for the transformation of medical education at MCW!
Learn about the 16 projects being implemented this academic year and how you can join us as we transform medical education here at MCW! Thirteen of our projects focus on URM student inclusion, and 8 projects are student-led this year.
Join us on the journey to transform medical education!
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October 14, 2020
Live Virtual Presentation
4:00 - 6:00 pm CT
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The Kern National Network
Click anywhere on the image to read the KNN's August 2020 Newsletter
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Student Essay Contest!
Describe someone you have encountered in the field of medicine who is a character exemplar - what about them and their actions inspires you and your future work?
For definitions of the 24 character strengths, click on the image at the left.
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The Kern Institute is excited to launch a character essay contest for medical students across the Kern National Network of medical schools.
The essay is an opportunity to reflect on what character means to you and what character strengths you’ve seen exhibited in role models. All essays will be used for us to better understand how students view attributes that make someone a character exemplar in medicine.
A $25 gift card will be awarded to the contest winner. Essays are due August 28th and should be 700 words or less.
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Our Patients Need Your Blood! |
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The pandemic has changed so much about our day-to-day lives, but it certainly hasn’t changed the need for life-saving blood products for our seriously ill patients.
Current supplies are limited, which impacts our patients with cancer, chronic anemia, and solid organ transplants.
Give the gift of hope. Our patients need you today!
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MCW COVID-19 Resource Center |
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