The Next Generation of Health Care Professionals

Along with a few other writers from The American Resident Project, I participated in a panel at the 12th annual UC Davis Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professions National Conference. Sponsored by The American Resident Project, we got to meet premeds and recent graduates interested in going to medical school. The panel was chaired by Dr. Sam Nussbaum, and I really enjoyed the lively discussion we had. We covered topics like work-life balance, 30-hour calls, building patient-physician relationships, and challenges in residency. Over lunch, the panelists, Dr Nussbaum, and I mulled over some of the changes happening in health care, problems with our current delivery system, and possible innovations to meet our dynamic health care needs. The thought provoking day reminded me we cannot be complacent or passive; as physicians, we have an imperative to become leaders, tackle system problems, educate and inspire the next generation of physicians, and engage our communities. Although participating in a panel like this takes away one of those coveted days off, it is such an opportunity for me to ponder the bigger questions of health care with brilliant people.