Every Christmas and New Year, I receive a precious greeting card with a beautiful family reunion picture from Ying – a pathology intern of mine six years ago – and it always touches me deeply.
In early summer that year, Ying flew from Texas to New York to undertake a one-month intensive pathology internship with me in preparation for her upcoming US residency application and Match. On Monday morning, as soon as I entered the lab, I spotted her already engaging with the pathology lab technicians, observing the cutting and staining processes.
During our conversations, I learned of Ying’s well-trained research background with hands-on experience. Her research involved the delicate operation of microinjecting gene fragments into zebrafish eggs. She also possessed strong independent analytical skills, which allowed her to support her PhD advisor in establishing a new lab at a new institution. Together, they stabilized experimental models, consistently achieved ideal results, and published papers in Nature. Her advisor soon obtained NIH R01 funding.
However, Ying’s dream remained to become a pathologist. So, while conducting research, she began reviewing for the USMLE exams, successfully passing them and obtaining her ECFMG certification. To gain US clinical experience and pathology qualifications, she took leave specifically to come to New York for her internship with me.
Due to her excellent research capabilities, personal qualities, and precision in operations, she quickly became familiar with many technical tasks in the pathology lab. Following my instruction on making frozen sections, for example, Ying was able to cut perfect sections after just 10 minutes’ practice. In the following two weeks, she even demonstrated techniques and taught new interns in my place! I coached Ying in showcasing her strengths in applications and interviews by using specific stories to impress and persuade interviewers.
Before I knew it, the month-long internship was over and Ying returned home brimming with confidence in applying for that year’s Match. A few invitations and interviews later, she was accepted into a reputable state university pathology program. Soon into her residency, Ying was showcasing her qualities and intelligence, quickly earning the respect and recognition from attending physicians, peer residents, office secretaries, and lab technicians. I called her residency program director, Dr Han, to check in on her performance and was met with high praise. I was also thrilled to hear of Ying’s application and acceptance to the Hopkins surgical pathology residence for her second year, as well as a role of chief resident in her third year at the preceding state university.
Over the years, I’ve kept in touch with Ying and, on several occasions, called on her participation in online lectures about applying for US residency – which, of course, she always readily agreed to, providing valuable insights to the attending students. I’ve also been very grateful to receive a traditional greeting card from Ying almost every Christmas and New Year since we met six years ago. Complete with family reunion photos and thank you notes, it’s been wonderful to learn of each year’s accomplishments – including graduation from a prestigious institution and a successful year of teaching while practicing as a pathologist. Though I was only directly involved in her career journey for a month, Ying continues to share her trust and respect with me.
I’m truly blessed to have had such wonderful students over the years that have accepted my rigorous training. As a non-academic, private practicing surgical pathologist, I take great pride in playing the mentor role. Almost like a matchstick igniting the light for foreign medical graduates that have faced long gaps since graduation, low USMLE scores, and sometimes failed Matches. A matchstick may seem small and insignificant, but by using that small spark, you can ignite raging fires that illuminate dark pathways.
As Tagore, renowned Indian poet and Nobel laureate in literature, wrote in his essay Influencing Life with Life, “Live your life as a light, for you never know who will walk out of the darkness with your light. Keep the kindness in your heart, for you never know who will walk out of despair with your kindness… May each of us shine like a beam of light, radiating all that is beautiful!”
I’m proud to play the role of mentor to these individuals. It’s a joy to see the passion reignite in these students as they become ever closer to reaching their dream of becoming pathologists and physicians.
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