In the U.S. Navy, we have a tradition called a “Hail and Farewell,” where we honor those who are leaving us and welcome those who are joining, bringing newbies into the history and tradition of the military. I’m offering a hail to recent medical grads on the cusp of starting their first year as residents and a farewell to residents moving into the next phase of their journeys as physicians.
To our recent medical grads, welcome aboard. Be confident in the fact that you’ve chosen a profession that, like the Navy, is steeped in tradition and full of mentors and colleagues that will help you on your way.
For our departing residents, this fact is just as true. I have had the pleasure of teaching many residents in my career. When they complete their training, I always tell them this: “You have no idea what’s about to hit you. Your training has focused on preparing for the unexpected. Events may surprise us, but our reactions should not.”
This is a pivotal point in your journey as a physician—and it is a satisfying, gratifying journey but also a long, difficult journey filled with challenges and stresses.
Move on to the next part of your careers knowing that you are armed with the skills and knowledge to provide the best patient care and the smarts to know how to ask questions and dig deeper.
Go forward knowing you’ve built a foundation for yourself as a clinician that will always remain strong. Become the doctor that every doctor wants to have treat their family.
Continue to build your foundation as the best clinician you can be, then you can be bold in launching into other areas and improving the health care environment for future physicians and future patients. Be open to exploring other ventures if your interests and goals take you outside of the exam room—you can always come back.
Wherever you are in your journey as a physician, take joy in the fact that you’ve dedicated your life to improving the health of others and the family of medicine is here to support you along the way. Good luck to yesterday’s graduates and tomorrow’s physicians.
