One of the reasons I love my job as a pathologist is the daily interaction with the residents.

Signing out with them, teaching them, talking to them in the “resident’s room”, working with them in the laboratory and celebrating with them the completion of their training, have been (and continue to be) some of my most joyful and memorable moments as a practicing pathologist.

 

A Resident’s Journey

I do have a soft spot for medical trainees. Why wouldn’t I? After all, they embody growth: They go through the ups and downs of being a medical student, a resident and a fellow. They aspire to be the best version of themselves, professionally and personally. They work long hours caring for their patients, yet most don’t complain. They navigate the demands of a being a medical trainee and the demands of their personal lives, mostly in silence.

Despite the emotional and physical taxation of their journey in medicine, most of them are forward-looking and strive for a great future ahead. They’re hungry for whatever tomorrow offers.

Not too long ago, I was a medical student (four years), a resident (six years) and a fellow (two years). I am extremely grateful for the incredible journey I went through. I met some amazing people and inspiring mentors along the way, some of which I regularly keep in touch still to this day. They played a big part in my growth and my journey to personal and professional success. I can’t thank them enough.

 

Feeling Right Is Part of Happiness

Gretchen Rubin, the author of “The Happiness Project”, figures out her first of four Splendid Truths: “To think about happiness, we should think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth”. Our long career as medical trainees gives plenty of opportunities to feel good and feel bad. It also feels right to take care of patients and to be working alongside colleagues with similar goals and aspirations.

 

Graduating from medical school, starting residency and transitioning into our fellowship of choice is the embodiment of growth. It’s an upward, although at times bumpy, ride. Yes, I felt a lot of happiness during my twelve years of training in medicine and pathology.

 

For the past several years, it felt right to be practicing pathology in an academic setting, alongside medical students and residents: It allows me to pay it forward. However, I want to do more. I want our residents and fellows to continue feeling good, feeling bad, feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth. Not only during training, but for the decades after they complete their training.

 

Care For Others & Care for Ourselves

Physicians are trained to care for others. I want our physicians to also take care of themselves, their mental and physical health, their relationships, and their finances. By doing so, not only will they become better at attending to their patients, but they will also be happier themselves.

By building the habits that work for us, applying the right behavior and adopting a winning psychology, I believe that we can keep growing spiritually and financially.

Using our hard-earned income to our advantage, I believe that every one of us can execute the life they want to lead.