Looking Forward
Here we are, getting to the end of fall semester 2020. Campus has been relatively quiet, and I think we have done a good job as a community getting through this semester. So many things have been on my mind about the last few months. Adjusting to the remote world has been a big part of that – Zoom meetings and webinars, teaching behind a mask, and virtual interviews for medical school, residency and fellowship positions. Some of the things we have all been doing in this shift to the virtual side of things are likely to stay in place, and hopefully get better, when we get to the other side of COVID-19. It’s hard to escape all of the news about COVID -19 itself – the numbers, the patients, and of course our adaptation to all of this. We recently heard a bit of good news about a vaccine on the horizon, and by the end of the month we may hear more. There are clearly lots of logistical details to sort about getting the vaccine out, and yet we are getting there. And of course, the biggest news has probably been centered around the recent election, and in Georgia we are not quite done yet with campaigns.
I had a nice conversation with one of our peer mentors recently. He reached out via email and we were able to schedule a Zoom meeting. It felt great to just chat – no planned agenda, no specific questions, just some honest conversation. That reminded me that one of the things I miss most about where we are all right now is the unscheduled conversation. I’m registered for the first ever virtual meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) this week. I’ll be able to listen in on the sessions from home or my office, and I’ll earn some CME (continuing medical education) credit, yet I know I’ll miss those unplanned conversations between the sessions, in the hallways, on the walk to and from the hotel. We are adapting, and we are doing our best to survive, but we certainly miss what it was like.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I always look forward to Thanksgiving – a relatively calm, ‘non-shiny’ holiday, centered around food, family & friends, and falling over a 4 day weekend. What’s not to like, right? Yet, this year is going to be different in some ways. But be sure to take time to be thankful for what you have and for what you intend to give. Be grateful for all that you’ve learned over the past few months. Remember that we have lots of work to do, so recharge and renew. Stay healthy. And always look ahead.
-Dr. B
