Training Director's Groundhog Cycles

L-R: Drs. Harvey, Hong, Glowinski, Pareek, Metheny, Sylvester and Paik
Missing but there in spirit: Dr. Rudersdorf

I was born on a February 2nd.

It is the day of "La Chandeleur"in France. A Catholic holiday, which has become secularly a traditional jour des crepes, i.e., a day where crepes are joyfully consumed, sometimes in large quantities for the aficionados comme moi.

From a birthday perspective, thus, I unquestionably experienced a categorical demotion when I moved to the US, where February 2nd is "Groundhog Day", e.g., dedicated to groundhogs and their mysterious behaviors. As far as I know, groundhogs are neither delicious with nutella nor marmelade nor sugar. In fact, in France, they are famous for their lethargy. Sleeping like a marmotte (groundhog) means sleeping most deeply. 

So, a move from fun with crepes to deep dumb sleep. Perhaps not a bad summary of my immigration/early medical training experience....I should not complain anyway: some people have birthdays where nothing happens, comestible or meteorological or otherwise.

But returning to Groundhogs: since the homonym movie, groundhog days also signify repetitions of cycles where seemingly similar things occur but, in the end, where opportunities for significant variation (and ideally growth) exist.
Very relevant for a training director caught for the duration of his or her role in recurring cycles of specific lengths. 

This, naturally, is on my mind as one class of fellows is about to graduate and another about to start.

So what stays the same? Sorrow but pride at goodbyes, the phenomenology of trainees moving from hesitation and doubt to comfort and confidence (with some residual doubt that all smart people have), the privilege and joy of learning from learners.

What has changed over time? The knowledge that I am wrong when (usually in the mist of mourning a graduating class) I don't think that I can bond yet again with another incoming class: so far, I have gotten attached strongly... every time. The trainees, of course, in their infinite variety.  The realization, over time, that many of the relationships extend well beyond training and that seeds continue to blossom well well beyond the assigned period we spend together. I also continue to change (mmm...and age) and do my best, whenever possible, to bring that constructively to learners.

Congratulations to our graduating fellows! May your next adventures entail lots of crepes and much more energy than that of the average marmotte.

Till Later,

Anne