The Joy of Medical School Graduation

Well this entry documents an example of the extra joys of the profession which occasionally occur outside the realm of the operating room. That does not mean that there is not an OR connection. This year for the UB Medical School graduation one of the graduating seniors asked me to be the individual to place her hood on as she received her degree. This is a long and sacred tradition in most schools. Usually there is a Hooding Committe which is various members of the faculty. However, physican parents or relatives and professors of special meaning to students are allowed to place hoods. Obviously for physician natural parents or relatives this is a continuation of a lifelong pride. However, for those professors asked to place hoods based upon the brief duration of medical school; it becomes something more meaningful. For me the experience was very exciting. I can count over thirty medical school graduations in my career; however, none was more special than this year. I had the opportunity to place the hood on a young woman going into my specialty of surgery. There are two things which make the experience special; first and foremost, the remarkable young woman, second, she is going into surgery. The young woman is a terrific individual with numerous wonderful traits. That she is going into surgery is even more special because she will be that kind of caring, devoted surgeon that I would wish to take care of me if I needed surgery. One of the greatest Joys of Surgery for an academic surgeon is to serve as a role model for the future generations of surgeon. All my best. JTE.