Seven storytellers presented during the first 黑料网 Story Slam on October 10, 2018, held during the Fifth Annual Sheldon Resident Research Symposium. There were no Power Point presentations and no written speeches, just the doctors and their memories.
鈥淚t is rare to find yourself involved in something bigger, working with a higher power,鈥� said Gary Winzelberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Associate Director of 黑料网’s Palliative Care Program, as his story began. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 happen to me often. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 here to tell a story about a patient interaction, one that I鈥檒l truly never forget. It was about a time on a Saturday when I was on call, and to my complete surprise, I saw a former patient while completing a consult in the ICU.鈥�
As “Serendipity” unfolded, listeners learned about Winzelberg’s opportunity to guide this patient鈥檚 care, who could not communicate and was minutes from intubation. By remembering and accessing documentation of her advanced care preferences completed years prior, he supported her distraught family in honoring the patient鈥檚 values, resulting in a transition from intubation to comfort care. The experience was an indelible reminder of the privilege of doctoring.
鈥淲ithin an audience there鈥檚 a gift given by the speaker, as they hear a story and gift into their mind and soul,” said keynote speaker Richard Wardrop III, MD, associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics. “Then, as storytellers we also receive a gift from the audience, that gives us a venue for these experiences. That mutual exchange is a really important one and something we don鈥檛 get a chance to do very often as professionals.鈥�
Dr. Amy Shaheen鈥檚 鈥淐alling Doctor Husband鈥� entertained, recalling a date with husband Nick Shaheen, MD, chief of gastroenterology, that went very wrong. Their evening ended abruptly when Amy needed urgent medical care by the doctor on call, who just happened to be her own husband. Amy narrated the humorous interactions with staff and explained how, despite the ethical conundrums, she eventually came to see and receive the treatment she needed.
Narratives and Participants included:
Ben DeMarco, MD, Resident, Internal Medicine – 鈥淎rm鈥檚 Length鈥�
Amanda Kovacich, MD, Fellow, Pulmonary Medicine – 鈥淓xposed鈥�
Sara Scarlet, MD, Resident Surgery – 鈥淎, B, Cs鈥�
Steven Hochman, MD, Resident Medicine- 鈥淧ediatrics鈥�
Amy Shaheeh, MD, Attending, Medicine – 鈥淐alling Doctor Husband鈥�
Gary Winzelberg, MD, Attending Palliative Care – 鈥淪erendipity鈥�
Jennifer Howell, MD, Attending OB/GYN
Audience members voted Jennifer Howell, MD, the winner. All stories were recorded for possible inclusion in the Annals of Medicine.