The Measure of Success

Hi everyone,

The Fellowship Match resembles a final grade. If programs want our residents and our residents are pleased, we call it success. So, A+ for us.

Each year, I expect good news, but I do get butterflies on Match Day, and I’m glad to spend the morning in clinic with patients instead of dwelling on the looming announcements. Unlike the residency match, I get no preview, so I learn the results from you, with a ping, ping, ping of texts and emails: 45 fellowship positions to add to 8 residents entering GIM and 8 staying as Chiefs.

I knew we’d be successful because I read your CVs, essays, and MedHub evaluations. You checked all the boxes: strong clinical work, research, and teaching. You pursued distinctions and led committees and interest groups. In your interviews you shared inspiring career plans and epitomized our ethos, “as good as any, nicer than most.”

On Wednesday night we celebrated at the East Rock Brewing Company with smiles, hugs, and New Haven pizza. Interns, PGY2s, and Rising Chiefs joined the party because we view success as a group accomplishment. And you lifted me up, literally.

The fellowship match is a milestone, and last week, we learned that fellowships recognize what we’ve known since you were interns, that you will enhance any program fortunate enough to recruit you. Whether you’re bound for fellowships, GIM positions, or Chief years, you will bring intelligence, energy, and compassion to your roles. Your future contributions to clinical medicine, science, and education will serve as the true measure of our collective success.

Congratulations to everyone, and enjoy your Sunday. I’m headed out for a chilly bike ride before settling in to read 41 personal statements for next Tuesday’s interview day.

Mark

P.S. What I’m reading and listening to:

• The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine By Aatish Bhatia, Amy Fan, Jonah Smith and Irena Hwang
• My Patient Was Making a Fatal Decision. What Could I Do? By Daniela J. Lamas
• “I’m Literally So Hungry, It’s All I Can Think Of” By Emily Holzknecht and Adam Westbrook
• The Quest for Perfection Is Stunting Our Society By Jonathan Biss
• Here Comes Santa Claus By the Ramsey Lewis Trio
• What If Our Ancestors Didn’t Feel Anything Like We Do? By Gal Beckerman
• Waiting for the Barbarians By J.M. Coetzee