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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
Inspire
Inspire
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
At times, I have this habit of indulging in self evaluation. Off and on, when I get back home from work and when I am all to myself, I do a sort of audit on what I had done for the day at work. For a long time now, doing things "one more time" has stopped mattering to me. In those moments I have always asked myself - did I do something new today? A recent TV ad which has this wonderful punchline "When was the last time you did something for the first time" aptly says it all for me. For, I have no doubt that being in a teaching institution "doing something new" has to be our call. The luxury we enjoy here of being able teach and practice medicine essentially beyond the confines of finances and the unique opportunity of being surrounded by intellectual companionship puts us in an enviable position of being able to practice medicine - as a science and teaching - as an art!
At times, I have this habit of indulging in self evaluation. Off and on, when I get back home from work and when I am all to myself, I do a sort of audit on what I had done for the day at work. For a long time now, doing things "one more time" has stopped mattering to me. In those moments I have always asked myself - did I do something new today? A recent TV ad which has this wonderful punchline "When was the last time you did something for the first time" aptly says it all for me. For, I have no doubt that being in a teaching institution "doing something new" has to be our call. The luxury we enjoy here of being able teach and practice medicine essentially beyond the confines of finances and the unique opportunity of being surrounded by intellectual companionship puts us in an enviable position of being able to practice medicine - as a science and teaching - as an art!
Haven't we all heard it said a zillion times that "Medicine is a noble profession" and also that "Teaching is a noble profession"? But I have not lately heard anyone say what it means to be both - a medical teacher. My own answer is that we are the most lucky of all - the chosen ones!
Haven't we all heard it said a zillion times that "Medicine is a noble profession" and also that "Teaching is a noble profession"? But I have not lately heard anyone say what it means to be both - a medical teacher. My own answer is that we are the most lucky of all - the chosen ones!
With this proud privilege, comes a loadful of responsibility - of living up to it. Each day we exert our gray cells even as we listen to and examine patients, peer over microscopes, squint our eyes in the glare of the view boxes or as we delicately perform a surgical operation. Less often - perhaps, we sit huddled with students and residents as we teach them what we have learnt over a lifetime. If you look at these activities, these are what we do day after day, the same thing over and over again. Monotony is the greatest killer of all.
With this proud privilege, comes a loadful of responsibility - of living up to it. Each day we exert our gray cells even as we listen to and examine patients, peer over microscopes, squint our eyes in the glare of the view boxes or as we delicately perform a surgical operation. Less often - perhaps, we sit huddled with students and residents as we teach them what we have learnt over a lifetime. If you look at these activities, these are what we do day after day, the same thing over and over again. Monotony is the greatest killer of all.
If you look at the history of science - whether it be in medicine or mathematics, many things - new and profound - have happened to or have been created by motivated people. Dedication is one thing - motivation and inspiration - quite another. Surely, as doctors we can motivate patients to do the right things to get well and remain healthy. But that's just a one on one. To do that, you do not have to be professor in a medical school. On the other hand, being one, puts you in a unique position of being able to motivate and inspire your colleagues and residents. The higher you are in the hierarchy, the greater the opportunity. As you rise higher, it is this quality of yours that will make a difference. Ignite a young mind and in time see what a spectacular "light show" it produces - a light show that could affect hundreds of thousands of lives in ways which you could not have imagined in a thousand lifetimes. Build a great team and inspire them to great heights and achievements and they will surpass your wildest dreams.
If you look at the history of science - whether it be in medicine or mathematics, many things - new and profound - have happened to or have been created by motivated people. Dedication is one thing - motivation and inspiration - quite another. Surely, as doctors we can motivate patients to do the right things to get well and remain healthy. But that's just a one on one. To do that, you do not have to be professor in a medical school. On the other hand, being one, puts you in a unique position of being able to motivate and inspire your colleagues and residents. The higher you are in the hierarchy, the greater the opportunity. As you rise higher, it is this quality of yours that will make a difference. Ignite a young mind and in time see what a spectacular "light show" it produces - a light show that could affect hundreds of thousands of lives in ways which you could not have imagined in a thousand lifetimes. Build a great team and inspire them to great heights and achievements and they will surpass your wildest dreams.
As teachers, more than anybody else, we have this unique opportunity to be sparks to light up the fireworks that is all around us. This is an opportunity, we cannot let go by in the tedium of daily work.
As teachers, more than anybody else, we have this unique opportunity to be sparks to light up the fireworks that is all around us. This is an opportunity, we cannot let go by in the tedium of daily work.
A small spark from the flame that you carry is all that you need to share - I am sure you will.
A small spark from the flame that you carry is all that you need to share - I am sure you will.
Now sit back and enjoy the fireworks!
Now sit back and enjoy the fireworks!
April 2004
April 2004
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