Soldiers and Doctors

At lunch yesterday, my friend mentioned that she and her fellow attended a White-Coat ceremony at Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine that followed completion of his son’s orientation. It’s a long standing tradition conducted in medical schools across the country, where speeches are made, faculty welcome the students, the students take the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath and receive their lab coat – doctor-wear. She also mentioned her own son went through a similar ceremony where speeches are made, pupils are welcomed and take an oath to serve our country. This tradition follows orientation too, or as the Army calls it, Basic Training. 

The medical school ceremony culminated an Introduction to Profession week, introducing the incoming class to the practical aspects of Feinberg and to the themes of professionalism and professional identity they will encounter throughout their medical education and careers as physicians.  My friend pulled out her iPhone and proudly shared photos of the student wearing his coat alongside his dad and his grand father. The ceremony acknowledged for the family the years supporting a drive toward a dream and basic training… chemistry, biology, math, physics, English, their ability to survive and overcome the MCATS, the agony of applications, interviews, and finally the acceptance. The ceremony offered everyone, the breath… the quiet before the storm of the challenges of medical school and the student’s step into a world that will impact the direction of his entire life.

A couple years prior, maybe even in the same restaurant, my friend showed photos of Basic Training Graduation Day. The soldier stood tall in his dress uniform and buzz cut next to his proud mom and other family. By the time they complete Basic Training, recruits learn basic military customs and receive “training to equip them to serve their country”. The website says, “the graduation ceremony is an opportunity for families and friends to witness the final transformation of their recruit from a everyday citizen to a military service member.” My friend said the ceremony acknowledged the years supporting and encouraging building a dream… classes and programs that allowed him to find where his strengths might be used. When the ceremony got to the part where the class swore their allegiance, she was reminded her that her son... a man... separate from her made the commitment.  Once he confided to his parents that he intended to enlist, long after his own decision, the recruitment process helped them see a solid future for him. The ceremony offered everyone, the breath… the quiet before the storm of the challenges of the military that will influence his entire life.

Connecting the dots.... 

Soldiers and doctors… training that impels and pervades a lifetime… commitment sealed with an oath to do good… highly specified skills… and, families with hope and pride for a long and healthy future.