Now that I’ve had some time to process all that Telluride encompassed, I feel immense gratitude to have had this experience. Being a part of this group of passionate and compassionate people is not something I take for granted, as it left me feeling inspired and ready to bring about change in my home institution.
While the memorable moments were numerous, what stuck with me the most is the overall emphasis on the humane nature of medicine. As a pre-clinical medical student, it can be easy to forget what it’s all about. My day to day life at school rarely involves seeing patients and even more rarely involves in-depth discussions about what a good physician is. This is why I so appreciated the platform that Telluride provided. It was a chance for us all to step back and remind ourselves why we’re doing what we’re doing. What drew me into medicine is the idea of being there for people at their most vulnerable, not only as a physician but as a healer. A person who makes sacrifices for others and acts from a place of deep empathy (not sympathy). A human being who realizes that we could all use to be a little more kind and more present. And someone who never forgets that the patient in front of them is just as much of a human – with values, fears and aspirations – as they are.
My wish for myself and for us all is to never forget that, and to not lose the enthusiasm that Telluride left us with. We are in a unique position to be able to channel our passions into a movement that will leave healthcare better than how we found it. And with the help of our tribe, we will.