Jason's Graduation

Our last graduate happens to be me. After 3 long years I finally graduated from residency. Sort of. I'm staying on to do an extra year as Chief Resident. We had our graduation in the middle of July at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis. As incoming chief I actually had speaking responsibilities giving speeches and talking about people. Honestly, it was a lot of fun getting up there and hopefully making people laugh a little. My co-chief and I were responsible for honoring our staff basically and we took the time to roast them a little bit. Then the graduates were announced and we were given gifts. There was also a dinner. The best part was the graduation video. Each class puts together a parody each year of the things we endure as residents.We had a lot of people contribute ideas and then I sort of acted as director and producer for the production. It turned out great and everyone had a good laugh as we spoofed life as a resident at LeBonheur and UT. My parents gave me a LeBonheur tie from Vineyard Vines, which also happened to be the gift the program gave us. Drew was the lucky recipient of the flowers from our table. I was so glad that Katie, Drew, my parents, Katie's mom, Sarah, and Brad were all able to attend. Afterwards, Katie, Brad, Sarah, and I took the after party to the big deck at the Slider Inn, which is delicious.

I guess this is the space where I'm supposed to wax poetically and reminisce about the last 3 years. I wish I would have written this post closer to the graduation as I probably would have done something like that. First, I want to thank Katie and all the support she has given me over the past 7 years(4 of medical school + 3 of residency). I could never have made it without her next to me. She has given selflessly to me and our family. She has worked to support us, fed us, cleaned us, and been an encouragement at every step. I can't thank her enough. I also want to thank my parents for everything they have done, from raising me with good values and a strong work ethic, to also being there for me at every step of the way. There are many other people who have supported me, pushed me, encouraged me, guided me, and counseled me in this long journey and I am grateful to all of you.

It's incredible to think that it's the end, but really just the beginning. That's pretty cheesy, but in this case it's really true. I can't believe how far I've come just in residency. From starting out in Med/Peds; considering, applying to, and interviewing at Radiology programs during intern year, but not turning in a match list; to switching to straight Pediatrics; and now graduating. The first year was rough. I didn't think I was going to make it. We drove through the night for a Radiology interview, taking one day off of medicine wards, and returning to work the next day. I know I may have made some mistakes in the process, but in the end sometimes it's the things that you don't do that make a big difference. I could not be happier in choosing Pediatrics for my career.

There have been many ups and downs. Losing patients is the hardest part. I remember several cases very, very vividly. LeBonheur, St. Jude, the Med. I lost patients at them all. The solid tumor service at St. Jude, the PICU at LeBonheur, and wards at LeBonheur during February and March of this year were the hardest experiences in losing patients. However, those places also seemed to provide the greatest opportunity for reward. There were many triumphs also- sometimes even in death, but mostly in the ones that turned out well.

There was life as well. A new baby, building a home, a family. Drew getting bigger. Drew having surgery. My mother going through cancer. Katie's father passing away. Going to a new church, finding a new family there. I realized early in medical school as I watched other people around putting things on hold for medicine that life does not stop. It goes on whether you mean for it to or not.

So now I will be co-chief of Pediatrics at UT/LeBonheur for the next year. After that I will do General Pediatrics, which is to say work in an office as a pediatrician doing primary care. I don't know where yet. I guess I did end up rambling on anyway. Not exactly what all I wanted to say, but I guess it works. I'll let everyone know the next step when we find out.