In two years of rotations I have had a lot of different attendings, and I have gotten a lot of difference advice.  Most attendings have a catch phrase or some sort of lesson they really want to impart on their students.  Some of their words I’ve forgotten.  But some have stuck in my mind.  I thought I would share the ones I can remember with you.  They might not seem that meaningful to you, especially taken out of context, but they’re meaningful to me, and I hope I don’t forget them.

“Nobody understands a doctor’s life like another doctor.”

“A physician’s two best friends are experience and humility.”

“It’s just like they say on an airplane – you have to secure your mask first before assisting your neighbor.”

“Recognize that when you see a patient, you are the smartest person in the room – so you should also be the nicest.”

“There will always be another patient to take care of.”

“Well, we can’t save the world.”

“…not good.”

“Anybody can look something up on Google.  We’re doctors.  We have to know more than Google.”

“You can’t kill a dead person.”

“Don’t ever be afraid to touch a patient.  Don’t ever be afraid to do something to a patient.”

“Life is precious.”