Not Alone: The Power of Sharing Our Stories

An Overview of This Year’s Trainee-Authored Letters to the Editor

“…Medical students reinforced their identities as doctor–artists by learning “to see art and medicine not as competing interests, but as synergistic passions informing each other.” 16 A pediatric gastroenterology fellow shared how they harnessed their identity as a “gay physician of color with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)” on rounds to create awareness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer patients with IBD. 17 They wrote, “By sharing my experience with health care, I try to create a safe space for patients … [I] strive to understand the person before me in all their identities.” 17…”

“…16 A pediatric gastroenterology fellow shared how they harnessed their identity as a "gay physician of color with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)" on rounds to create awareness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer patients with IBD. 17 They wrote, "By sharing my experience with health care, I try to create a safe space for patients … [I] strive to understand the person before me in all their identities. " 17 Other trainees described overcoming imposter syndrome in different ways, from building an authentic connection with a 10-year-old patient by playing Star Wars Legos 18 to trusting their instincts and obtaining a bedside electrocardiogram for a patient with "anxiety surrounding [an] ongoing foot rash. "…”

“…17 They wrote, "By sharing my experience with health care, I try to create a safe space for patients … [I] strive to understand the person before me in all their identities. " 17 Other trainees described overcoming imposter syndrome in different ways, from building an authentic connection with a 10-year-old patient by playing Star Wars Legos 18 to trusting their instincts and obtaining a bedside electrocardiogram for a patient with "anxiety surrounding [an] ongoing foot rash. " 19 Trainees are also realizing their professional purpose to combat health disparities by advancing justice and equity.…”