The culture of medicine is good at making doctors feel like they’ll never be good enough—not seeing enough patients, not finishing charts quickly enough, not published enough, not teaching enough, not enough shifts, not enough call, not enough committees, not enough conferences…

As a psychiatrist, I get to sit front row as people share intimate details about their lives. Earning a human being’s trust is the ultimate privilege. You may be the only person someone ever opens up to. Never take this privilege for granted.

To anyone in a new role this month: You’re not unskilled or incompetent. You’re just new at it. Be kind to yourself as you learn.

Meeting a person at the beginning of an advanced cancer diagnosis and walking them through the end of life is such a deeply profound privilege. And it's so hard. Still, I'm grateful for this work.

People in their most vulnerable states still just want to be people. —Suzy Crocker

HPV vaccine prevents cancer

When you have a busy day and you feel like you’re barely getting by and a patient stops and says, “Thank you, doctor, for caring for me so well.”

“Health is not a merit badge. And illness is not a personal failure.”

All people deserve healthcare, when and where they need it, regardless of their background, employment status, or personal circumstances.

Leadership isn't measured by how many followers you have. It's gauged by how may lives you improve. Selfish leaders divide people to advance personal agendas. Servant leaders unite people to achieve common goals. The best leaders are those who bring out the best in others.

I've been at the hospital most of the week (for family) and I'm struck by how much better things would be if we could make the hospital more, well, hospitable! Here are some hospitality notes I have so far this week (some good, some areas for improvement...):

Every time a radiologist marks key images on an MRI an angel gets its wings

In case no one told you: Thank you for taking care of people today. Your work matters.

Hot off the presses! Tips from the editorial board Journal of Clinical Oncology ASCO on what we're looking for in narrative medicine or poetry pieces for the Journal of Clinical Oncology! The Art of the Art of Oncology | Stephanie Graff, MD, FACP, FASCO Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center UMiami Health System ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JC…

Rounded with a stellar resident team yesterday and this is still one of my favorite things to say around 3 pm: “You’ve worked hard and cared well for people today. Now go home and enjoy your life.”

Too tired from an exceedingly busy clinic day to type something insightful here. Just take a deep breath, and then another. Honor your humanity. Know that your work matters.

I sat with a patient nearing the end of life, her child the same age as mine. We cried together. Later, I sat with my kid as she played in the tub, evening light pouring through the blinds. She sang a made-up tune. Today, please remember to cherish the people you love.

Laura Vater, MD, MPH The contrast between grief and grace in a single day is something only life - and medicine - can teach so clearly.