FROM THE PRESIDENT by VALERIE F . BRIONES-PRYOR , MD , MHA , SFHM , FACP
For Better , For Worse
Mabuhay ! It ’ s hard to believe it is already February , though it is hard not to miss the Valentine ’ s Day decorations everywhere . Back in the day , I was not a fan of Valentine ’ s Day . One may even say that I used to loathe Valentine ’ s Day . I was always one to wear black on Feb . 14 and would avoid restaurants full of starry-eyed couples . It wasn ’ t until I met my husband that I finally began to appreciate Valentine ’ s Day . However , I used to joke that my first love was always Medicine .
Many years ago , I wrote a piece for GLMS ’ s Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest about my “ marriage ” to medicine . In celebration of Valentine ’ s Day , I share this piece with you .
For Better , For Worse
I was introduced to Medicine by my parents at an early age . Looking back , it may even have been the beginning of an arranged marriage , however , I wanted to explore the world , and not be committed to anyone or anything . So , through high school and college , I played the field . I had some casual relationships with Music , Education – nothing too serious . Medicine always hung around though , never being too obvious , but present enough to always catch my attention .
By senior year , I was ready to show Medicine that I was committed . I took the MCAT and applied to medical school . I asked professors to vouch that I was good on my commitment to Medicine . I even wrote a personal statement on why Medicine should choose me .
Then it finally happened - I got engaged ! That acceptance letter to medical school was so beautiful . I remember showing it off constantly to family and friends .
Our engagement was quick , but the ceremony was beautiful . That white coat fit me like a glove ! It was such a memorable and exciting day , standing there in front of my family , saying the Hippocratic Oath , making my commitment to Medicine official . When I put that stethoscope around my neck , I knew that Medicine and I were together , for better , for worse , ‘ til death do us part .
Unfortunately , our honeymoon was short . That first year , I spent a lot of time in the classroom , and Medicine just wasn ’ t around as much as I wished . We would see one another in passing , like when learning physical exams on patients . I could hear upper-level students talking about Medicine in the halls , but overall , it was as if we were living separate lives . We saw a bit more of each other during second year when I shadowed physicians , but those first two years were tough . I wasn ’ t quite sure what Medicine had in store for me .
Third year was much better . Medicine and I spent a lot of time together rotating through pediatrics , OB-GYN , surgery . It was great having Medicine show me what each specialty had to offer , but we spent every minute with each other . Though I was glad to have Medicine back in my life , it was tough . I started to see a different side of Medicine , one that I had not seen before . Medicine started really challenging me and would not accept anything less than 100 %. From oral presentations and exams to tons of scut work , Medicine kept pushing me and asking for more .
In fourth year , Medicine lightened up a bit . It seemed that we finally enjoyed each other ’ s company . We picked a specialty , talked about where we wanted to go for residency . We looked at our future with hope and optimism . Together , we were going to save lives and make a difference !
That bliss was also short . Upon graduation , we moved away from my family and intern year started . Though we were inseparable , I felt so lonely during that first year . Medicine monopolized me . Once again , Medicine pushed me to give everything that I had , and even when I thought I had given enough , Medicine asked for more . Medicine did not care if I was post-call or on an off day – Medicine was always there , in my face , reminding me that patients ’ lives are on the line . I started to doubt my commitment to Medicine .
Life did get better though . By the end of intern year , I had gotten to know my fellow residents and learned that they , too , were having tumultuous relationships with Medicine . We commiserated about Medicine ’ s mood swings and started to have more fun at Medicine ’ s expense . We reflected on intern year and realized that Medicine did make us better physicians , despite all the drama .
I also met my husband around this time , which threw both me and Medicine for a loop . After having Medicine monopolize me for so long , how was he going to fit in the picture ? Suddenly , I had to
4 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE