To the Departing Resident or Fellow,
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
A phrase to describe a goodbye that is both sad and sweet.
Sad--- because we are leaving.
Sweet--- because what we are leaving behind meant something deeply to us.
As the residency or fellowship year ends for some of us, we will all have to, at some point, say our goodbyes. Goodbyes to our co-residents, friends, mentors, and preceptors to name a few as we continue onto the next steps of our career.
It is indeed a sweet sorrow.
Yet, I hope that we can carry a bit of them with us through the memories that we have made throughout the year. All of the laughter, the tears, the hardships, the reflections, and the mentorship---all things that have shaped and molded us into the strong and independent clinical practitioners we are today.
This post, however, is not meant to serve as a reminder of what we have lost, but rather what we, residents and fellows, can leave behind as a reminder of our gratitude and appreciation of those who supported us throughout the year.
While our presence and the friendships that we have built can never be replaced, we can show our appreciation through small tokens ---simple reminders of the gratitude we hold for those who walked alongside us this year:
1. 1. Thank you letters that describe this sentiment.
2. 2. A big jar of candy and treats that can be refillable
3. 3. Coffee Bar "Rx Café" Basket
4. 4. A Group Thank-You Video
5. 5. A bouquet of crocheted flowers
6. 6. Miniature desk plants
7. 7. Shared memory Jar
In the end, whether it is refillable jar of sweets, a note of thanks, or a shared memory that we have decided to leave behind, perhaps the greatest gift we can offer in return is to carry forward all that we've learned. By continuing to grow in our curiosity, resilience, and strength---gifts they helped instill in us---we honor those who shaped us, not just in words, but in the way we practice every day.
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Kristine Nguyen
Garden Grove CA
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