Title: Reflections on Connection

When I began clinical rotations, I started capturing meaningful moments in stories that are exactly 55 words long as a way to reflect on my experiences. These are 3 of my favorites from my third year of medical school.

NATALIE ALTERI (she/her) is a third-year medical student who is looking forward to specializing in Family Medicine. She loves all things primary care, especially preventative medicine and building relationships with patients. Her perfect day includes quality time with family and friends, a sunny hike, and good food.

With each sentence, I watch you realize that you might be done fighting. That your goals might be changing. I pull up a chair as you recount the events of the past months, consider your next steps, wonder what your time left will look like. I'm grateful you feel safe enough with me to cry.

A man who has struggled with the same addictions that took his brother’s life, fueling his desire to stay sober. Today, a new doctor. A palpable discomfort as he opened up again, sharing the most painful parts of his story so a stranger can decide if he’s worthy of respect and the treatment he needs.

The chart says 84 year old female here for a urinary tract infection.

But she was here for that and to share her fears - about the aneurysm in her brain, about growing older, about not being here to see all her grandchildren graduate high school - she was here for that and to hold my hand.