This category contains student reflections on key moments in their education that gave them new perspective and deeper insights to healthcare.
Resident Physician Contributing Writer
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Ervin (Erv) is beginning his general intern year at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and recently graduated from the Uniformed Services Univerity of the Health Sciences in May 2022. While in medical school, he was the co-director for the on-campus peer-led curriculum aimed to foster conversations about diversity, bias, discrimination, and inclusion in both medicine and the military. His interests include medical education, promoting diversity, and utilizing the arts to augment the healing nature of medicine.
Entering the field of medicine can be daunting, especially if you are the first physician in the family. Current intern Dr. Ervin Anies discusses the emotions associated with assimilating into the culture of medicine and how we as providers can use our diversity to foster better relationships between providers and our patients.
Max Hawkins, a second-year resident, reflects on his medical education journey, the process of consent and the importance of trusting that “gut feeling.”
Analisa Narro, a third-year medical student, wrestles with the academic uncertainty surrounding a pass/fail Step 1 exam and discovers freedom.
Henry Zou, an Asian American fourth-year medical student, reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and finds courage and hope.
Dr. Erin Saner reflects on the importance of underrepresented minorities and representation in clinical care and education.
Medical student Atisa Paudel reflects on the impact of her immigrant background on her medical education.
Medical student Rucha Borkhetaria shares a photograph that represents her view of an ideal physician.
Medical student Ana Jimenez reflects on her experience during her surgery rotation.
Medical student Jackson Dean reflects on the importance of planning ahead and giving back to one’s community.
Medical student Rooshi Parikh writes about the power of human connection through a small ritual performed between a physician and a patient.
Medical student Alyssa Guo shares excerpts of her diary with reflections of her first times in medicine as an Asian American.
Medical student Leonard Wang presents his views on patient advocacy by exploring the role of patient stories, in particular an anecdote from a recent trip to Guatemala during his winter break.
Editor-in-Chief
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Leonard is a third-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in honors biomedical sciences through a 7-year accelerated BS/MD program. Leonard is also currently an MPH student and plans to pursue an MBA while in medical school. He enjoys traveling, rock climbing, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops in his free time. In the future, Leonard would like to pursue a career in pediatrics/genetics.
