COVID-19: An Emeritus Faculty's Perspective.

Abstract

Life in academics often seems like an endless series of transitions: from medical student to intern, from junior resident to senior, from fellow to faculty, from junior faculty to senior, and sometimes from local leader to national figure. Looking back now on my own career and those of others, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that we are ultimately defined more by how we manage those transitions, and how we treat the people we meet along the way, than we are by the professional accomplishments that bring us recognition and awards. Transition periods define us because embarking on journeys down unknown paths can be both frightening and stressful. Navigating those paths successfully requires inner strength, resolve, humility, and the willingness to learn and hopefully grow, from each new challenge, and each new relationship we develop. Focusing on the journey, and what it offers in terms of personal and professional growth, makes undertaking new tasks, even apparently insurmountable ones, both less daunting and more satisfying. Glenn Hamilton, a former department chair and leader in academic emergency medicine, once said that “sometimes we contribute in big ways, sometimes in small ways, but we contribute nonetheless, because that’s what matters.” I have often thought about those words and have learned that helping others discover how they can best contribute, in large ways and small, given their individual skills and desires, is a wonderful and rewarding role for anyone, at any stage in their career. Many of you have recently had to focus on an unexpected and seemingly insurmountable crisis instead of the graduation or other exciting transitions you had anticipated. My wife and I are 71 years old, staying home, doing what we can for our local community, and praying for you. Is there anything you can do, right now, to help better prepare for life following the pandemic? You might focus on your relationships with each other and with every person you encounter on every shift you work in the ED: patients and their families; medical, nursing, and ancillary staff; and anyone else who crawls, walks, or rolls through the door. Every one of them is frightened and in need of understanding and support, and many want to contribute in some way. While most of us like to think that we lead lives that focus as much or more on others than ourselves, that is rarely the case and particularly challenging at times of crisis. Taking a few moments, when you can, to make a conscious effort to reassure a patient or family member, or thank a staff member, or support a colleague, or teach someone something is sorely needed at this time. It is also a wonderful habit to form and hone as you try to navigate your personal transition from the current crisis to the next stage of your career.