A poet said if you write a sonnet for someone, you love them. But if you write 40 sonnets for that person, you love writing sonnets.
Students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University love their patients, putting it into poetry.
ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine co-hosted the seventh annual Legacy Teachers event at the Murphy Center in Greenville, honoring patients who have shaped medical students’ understanding of care, empathy and presence.
The event featured remarks from Brody School of Medicine leaders Dr. Amanda Higginson, associate dean for student affairs, and Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean and chief health officer at ECU Health, along with ECU Health leaders Dr. Christina Bowen, chief well-being officer; Dr. Julie Oehlert, chief experience officer; and Brian Floyd, chief operating officer.
Both Dr. Amanda Higginson and Floyd reflected on formative patient experiences from their own training.
“I remember the first patient I ever examined at the end of my second year of medical school,” Dr. Amanda Higginson said. “That experience stayed with me every time I stepped into a room, reminding me why I became a doctor.”
Fourteen students honored 16 patients, and their families, as Legacy Teachers. Students shared written reflections, with several choosing poetry to capture their experience. The focus set not on diagnoses, but on people.
Marriam Azam nominated Lomia Acklin and described an immediate connection.
“Lomia was going through many challenges, but her strength and resilience, and her passion for her family is inspiring,” said Azam. “We connected. Her strength gave me strength.”
Acklin said her experience with Azam was so different than other experiences she’s had in medical offices.
“She would listen to me and ask me what she could do better for me,” said Acklin. “Marriam created a personal space where I felt comfortable. She listens and we work together. I would leave a meeting with her feeling hopeful. Like my doctor was part of the family and was going to help me get through this.”
As these stories were shared, the students and patients stood together. However, some students stood alone, dedicating the honor in loving memory of a patient that passed.
“There is a sacred relationship between student and patient,” said Dr. Oehlert. “We can learn so much from these relationships. How to listen with empathy, be open and be present.”
In many cases, it’s about being a friend.
That lesson was especially evident for Vedika Modi, who met Benjamin Clark while rotating at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Benjamin and his parents, Amanda and Gary Clark, brought some fun and light to the Kids Immunosuppressed Specialty Unit (KISU) during the holidays with their family tradition of using mailboxes as an Advent calendar.
Modi connected quickly with Benjamin and his family. She’d wake up excited to get to work and see him.
“Gary and Amanda taught me how to show up as a family,” said Modi. “They were an example and inspiration for me not only as a doctor but as a person.”
“Vedika lifted the room up when she walked in,” said Amanda. “She was so eager and willing to learn, but what mattered was she talked to Ben like a person, on his level and connected with him on what he cared about.”
The Clark family had extra to celebrate as the day prior, Benjamin rang the bell at Maynard Children’s Hospital and is officially cancer free.
Michael Li, a Brody student and master of ceremonies, summed up the spirit of the program.
“One of the greatest gifts we receive as medical students is time with patients,” Li said. “The lessons we can’t learn in a textbook shape how we care for people and build trusting relationships.”