As a first-generation medical student, I often question my capabilities in the field. My journey to medical school didn't involve gap years with real-world experience, but the academic challenges alone have felt monumental. More recently, I have been grappling with defining personal and professional goals. Just as I found my footing and began to feel more confident in my coursework, it dawned on me that mastering coursework is not the full extent of learning. This called for reflection on moments where I truly learned something. Of course, I gained knowledge from passing my anatomy exams. But there was also great value added to my education when I attended a physician panel that emphasized the importance of work-life balance, when I volunteered in community organizations, and when I attended medical conferences.
A conference I attended, the Women in Medicine Summit in Chicago, was unlike other medical conferences in that it wasn't focused on science. Instead, it centered on the individual — on me, the future physician. As a student ambassador at one of my first national conferences, I had to ask myself what a medical student's purpose at the conference was, and then attempt to fulfill it. Simply put — the purpose is to learn as much as you can when you have the resources at your fingertips. So, I chased after attendings, waved them down with questions, and tried to picture myself in their shoes one day.
Every conversation was new to me, and I felt like a child learning a new language. I didn't fully understand what it meant to advocate for myself and build resilience until I heard one session where the speaker explained how the field of medicine can be quite isolating if you let it be. She spoke about the importance of mentors and your "cabinet of advisors." I thought about who that would be for me; it was a mix of physician attendings, peers, and even family. Resilience does not mean navigating a new situation alone and feeling triumphant when you come out at the end. Rather, it is having the awareness and intelligence to ask for help. It is constantly asking for advice and slowly building a toolbox of borrowed bolts and screws for better decision-making. You will always have your cabinet of advisors, and they will change throughout the years, but you will transform along the way, too. There will be times you can make decisions alone, but there will be times you need to rely on others. Learning this concept early in my medical school career has been invaluable, as it brings humility and lightness during the difficult years of training.
At every conference I have attended, I have refined my perception of medicine. A career-centered conference, such as the Summit, brought to light the realities that await me when it comes to being a woman physician. There are many different shapes and forms of success: starting a family, paying off student loans, finding work-life balance. These were conversations I have not encountered elsewhere, and I wonder why this knowledge isn't more widely accessible. It was a privilege to be in those rooms, asking questions, taking notes, and absorbing all that I could.
The most rewarding part of attending conferences is making meaningful connections. Meeting someone you can form an instant connection with is rare, and the last time I experienced such a connection was on my first day of medical school, when I met my now best friend, who was in the same orientation group. But it happened again that weekend in Chicago. This was a reassuring moment for me – throughout my career, I am certain this feeling will be recreated again. That morning, I had an intimate conversation with an attending at her mindfulness and meditation session. We discussed her journey into lifestyle medicine and I shared my challenges navigating medical school and my personal life. I discovered something profound about myself that day: I truly care about health and well-being. It seems simple, but after our conversation, I realized I wanted to learn how to care for myself, as it will surely lead to being a better physician and person. I owe this insight to that conference. And so, I walked out of a somatic yoga session with a mentor I am thrilled to learn from, and I'd like to think she was just as excited to have me as her mentee.
What we sometimes don't realize as medical students is that we are valued members of the medical community. Medical students bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the medical community, enriching it with our curiosity and dedication to learning. As budding professionals, we compel our seniors to share their expertise, fostering a collaborative environment that supports growth and mentorship. Through this dynamic relationship, medical students are shaped into the next generation of compassionate and innovative leaders in health care.
Illustration by April Brust
