Thanking Your Attendings By Paying It Forward To Your Residents
While visiting my daughter in Chicago during our annual daddy–daughter weekend, the first evening I went out to dinner by myself. She was working very late that night. Off I went to have a good, quiet meal and relax a bit.
While figuring out the tip, I noticed four men sitting in the adjacent booth. They started to chat. There was one voice I thought sounded very familiar although I could not place it at first. After a few minutes, I thought I figured it out. Do I approach the person? What if I do and I am wrong? Mom always says, “Check it out,” so throwing caution to the wind, I approached the gentleman.
“Are you Dr. So and So?” I asked. “Yep,” he replied, although he looked at me kind of weird.
I introduced myself. He then remembered who I was and said, “George Wallace, how the hell are you?” We chatted for a few minutes and parted.
Who was that person? The doctor I took a chance on chatting with was a very influential attending during my first year of residency. It has been over 30 years since I last saw him. Due to his unique voice, my hunch was correct.
Why bring all of this up now? I was very excited meeting him. More importantly, walking back to the hotel, I was able to take some time and reminisce about those residency years. Where did the time go?
This chance meeting got me thinking. I recognized and appreciated what that attending in particular and all the other attendings during my training contributed to formulating, teaching, and coaxing this foot and ankle surgeon.
He and all attendings provided their own private patients. They imparted their knowledge, expertise, opinions and criticisms to mold their residents. He and the others were taskmasters. I often questioned their tactics. It was hard then but through the prism of time, you can see what they were trying to do. Some of their tactics then would never be tolerated now. I even got thrown out of a surgery for not knowing the patient’s birthday (try that one now). Luckily, all of their efforts, patience and cajoling paid off in so many ways.
Later that evening, I realized I never thanked him for all he had done for my training. But then again, I never really thanked any attending during those years.
So at this time to all of the attendings, “thank you” for a great residency experience. From my perspective, I wouldn’t change a thing. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
The best gift, if you will, as a heartfelt “thank you” to all of those attendings is to provide the residents I train with the same dedication, patience and mentoring I received over 30 years ago. It is like continuing a tradition through generations.
Maybe in a few years, someone will recognize my voice. If this happens, I hope he or she will come over and say “hi.” No thanks is necessary. However, just do the best you can and impart to your own patients and residents some of the things we tried to offer and teach.
At this stage of the game and going forward, let’s hope I am able to remember you.
We were residents at one time or another. Some of you may not have had a positive experience. Sorry. For those who feel as I do, remember your attendings and continue their “legacy” by properly training those who show up for your cases. Maybe you will get a thank you but the trainers know it is not necessary.
Taking novice surgeons, imparting surgical skills and having your residents attain competence is thank you enough.
Dr. Wallace is the Director of the Podiatry Service and the Medical Director of Ambulatory Care Services at University Hospital in Newark, N.J.
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