Notes from an Intern

Today was my last day on Geropsychiatry. After morning report, the Medical Director of the hospital, who usually leads report, announced a surprise (to me) staff breakfast, as a thank you for my work. This is not the usual practice for Interns...they just come and go, standard rotation. I was given two cards (one with some money inside) signed by all the staff and my psychotherapy patient, and a Hospital award for therapeutic communication. The Rehabilitation Therapists and the Nurses had nominated me for my work with a difficult patient and for leading the Tai Chi groups. One of the RNs, Michelle, sang, "We'll Miss You When You're Gone", putting on a great impromptu performance that made me blush to the top of my head. All day long, patients and staff spoke to me about how I had helped out with pushing wheelchairs, calming traumatized patients, being helpful, and always smiling, even when the clinical situation was stressful or just plain emergent. The attending psychiatrist even took me to lunch. They all said they'd miss me. I know I'll miss them. I am very, very grateful for the learning experiences I've had.