This speech was given during Second Look Weekend to the Class of 2023 by MSG Vice President Luke Wohlford.
When I finally stopped procrastinating enough to sit down and write this speech, I asked myself a question I’ve asked many times: “How am I even qualified to speak to all of you?” Sure, I was elected to the position that is always invited to give this speech. But what wisdom does 9 months of medical school give me that is worth your time? After realizing that discussing things like aortic stenosis, muscular dystrophy, and tuberous sclerosis should really be left up to the experts, I was at a loss.
Then I was reminded of the times I’d asked myself that question. The nagging doubt. My first time on an emergency scene as an EMT was semi-controlled chaos, and I distinctly remember not knowing what to do with my hands. When I was alone in the back of an ambulance with a patient on that 45-minute transport, I asked myself the same question: “How am I even qualified to speak to you?” I’ve always viewed the patient-provider relationship as sacred, and any question I asked them made me feel like a fraud.
Last July during my White Coat Ceremony, I learned that this doubt has a pretty cool name: the imposter syndrome. The keynote speaker outlined the concept that no matter how qualified we are or how much training we have, most of us at some point will feel like fakers. Like we don’t belong. That we somehow don’t deserve our spot. Good to know, right? After listening to the speaker’s encouragement that we are not in fact frauds, I was emboldened to continue as a medical student that earned his spot and never doubted myself again.
I wish. I would be lying if I said I was completely doubt free. Volunteering in clinical situations has by far been my favorite aspect of medical school, but sometimes I’m at a loss during patient interviews. My questions aren’t backed up by a clinical acumen from years of experience. So again, “How am I qualified to speak to this patient?” While just a few months of school can teach you an amazing amount of material, it’s really a willingness to be present with a patient that provides the most value to both of us.
The last aspect of the imposter syndrome that I’ll talk about is my classmates. Before starting at this school, I somewhat knew that my peers would be smart, inspiring, and impressive. Let me say, joining this class was incredibly humbling! My classmates include triathletes, symphony members, leaders of global health initiatives. Some can write more beautifully than I ever will, and they consistently come up with ideas I wish I had. But they’re also some of the best humans I’ve ever met, and I love working with them every day.
Feeling inadequate at times can be unavoidable, but this school does a fantastic job of minimizing this feeling. I’ve met only a fraction of you, but I know that I told every applicant I met that the admissions team here is so intentional in building a class. And it shows. I’m continually amazed at the foresight they had to put so many complementary personalities and experiences in one group, and it makes my experience here much better.
This school makes us feel heard. Anyone who has struggled with being listened to knows how important this is. I could spout the fact that this school is new and agile, allowing it to listen and change because of student feedback, but it’s really the people in charge that make it so. They listen to each of our questions, comments, and yes, even complaints, and respond thoughtfully. When I walk around the administration wing for a completely undeserved candy break, I see smiling faces who ask how I’m doing. Just like with my classmates, I know that I can reach out if I need anything.
These aspects of my school are what made me ultimately decide to come here, and I’m happier than I have ever been because of that decision. To all of you who may or may not feel the imposter syndrome, please know that the mere fact that you are sitting in this room speaks to your incredible accomplishments. Every time you have the chance to reflect, be sure to congratulate yourself on getting to this point, because you belong here.
Luke Wohlford is a medical student in the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Class of 2022. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in physiology. Luke plans to go into emergency medicine has special interests in public health and EMS. He spends most of his free time hanging out with his dogs Kanye and Kelso or feeling guilty about not exercising.