Tail Lights

Abstract

Happy New Year! Hopefully, everyone had a restful festive break and is settling into the rhythm of the Glasgow Medical School routine. With the Academic year in its second term, it has been wonderful to meet you at teaching and in the hospitals.

As you progress through your studies in medical school and life as a doctor – you may occasionally wonder “Is this it?” I grapple with this question regularly. Don’t get me wrong – I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I remember and am so grateful for that opportunity. I possess all the ingredients to ensure happiness - but why can’t I shake that feeling of “something’s missing”.

Thank you to everyone who came to visit the “Navigating Uncertainty” exhibition at the Clarice Pears last term. We were blown away by the response, especially the support from Professor Sir Kenneth Calman! If you missed it, the digital art collection can be viewed here: https://medicineandtheartsglasgow.com/ - QR code below.

Big thank you to Julianna Sandoval Alfonso, Charlotte Duffus, Rueben Heaton, Laura Hewitt, Tazra Khan, Gregor McIntosh, and Grace So for your help filming the Active Bystander videos – you were all big hits in Liverpool as part of a collaborative project on medical student Active Bystander Training!

We are busy planning new initiatives for you through MedChir and Surgo – so keep an eye out for these over the next few weeks.

Seems I am not alone. In his “final prescription for the nation” last week, Dr Vivek Murthy summarises his observations after 2 terms as Surgeon General of America. Seems self-worth and fulfillment needs 3 ingredients: Purpose, Service, and Relationship. Remember when we did sports, volunteered in community service before medical school? Turns out all that is actually good for us! (Not just for the CV...). I encourage you to read this short piece – and come back to it often – I promise it will be more than worth your time. QR code below and link here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/my-parting-prescription-for-america.pdf

Meantime - keep your submissions coming for the Visual Abstract and Surgo Vision competitions Remember: 5 best submissions accepted for publication receive £20 with a chance to win the end of year £100 overall best submission prize – and is legitimate CV fodder! So get your skates on and showcase your work with the world!

Till the next Tail Lights – I wish you much fulfillment! Remember: you are the OG! You have worked hard to get into one of the best medical schools in the world and you are well on your way to becoming doctors. That’s purpose and service checked: go work on your relationships.