Stranded On A Desert Island? The Surgeons Might Be A Better Bet For Survival But Psychiatrists Are More Fun

Psych RC Meeting April 2019, Chicago, Illinois

Louise, the Executive Director for the Psychiatry and ACGME Residency Review Committees, is a very intelligent, tactful, diplomatic and wonderful woman.

So, it is entirely possible, even a little likely, that she was stretching the truth when she said that psychiatrists are the most fun and (shhhhh....) her favorite.

You say that to all the Review Committees, right? I tease her. Are you saying that if you had to choose who you'd be stranded with on a desert island, you'd pick the psychiatrists?

Garrulous dinner companions (the putative desert island contingent) are quick to ask why in the world she would want anyone like us on a desert island.

A terrible reality show I explain.  Worse have been funded. Survival on an island: which medical specialty to take with you?

We run with this for a few minutes. Imagining how members of the Surgery Residency Review Committee would build houses, boats etc....while we, the psychiatrists would..... what exactly? Try to engage the local monkeys? look for mushrooms? validate the feelings related to isolation from civilization?

Yeah, Louise jokes, I'd be dying and you guys would make me feel alright about it.


We sign a confidentiality agreement when on boarding as ACGME RC members.

But... this I can say: like many of the best experiences of my professional life, the quality of this privileged experience has to do with the people: my funny, intelligent, passionate about education, perhaps useless on a desert island colleagues and the staff of the ACGME, a model of professionalism and high standards.

So here is to that imaginary island and Louise's choice of companions.

Love and Till Later,

Anne