Who Stands Beside You

July is an interesting month the medical community. It marks a transition period as many medical students and residents will embark on the next phases of their careers. Newly minted interns will step into the crucible that will temper their mettle while older residents transition into more senior roles, sometimes taking their place as equals alongside their former mentors and attendings.

But the lead-up to this July was a strange one. It was perhaps the first time in a generation or more, where there was mass uncertainty in the medical community about a disease and our capacity to manage it. I really got to know the inaugural class of Ocean Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency program during this period.

I was fortunate enough to work alongside this team for the better part of the last 3 months. I watched them manage unbelievable stress and uncertainty with dignity and grace. I watched them argue with each other sometimes and fight for each other always. As they’ve now made the shift from interns to upper level residents, I can only imagine how fortunate their interns must be to be shepherded along the way by this fine lot.

Like with most things, there will be good days and bad ones. Often, you’ll find that the people who matter most are the ones who stand beside you on those bad ones.