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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

My First Attempt at Creative
Writing as a Physician

By Leah Jacobson, MD, 2017 BCMS President

As I became president of the Medical Society, one of the tasks I satisfaction when the list gets shorter. Discouraged when I cannot
found most daunting was writing these articles. I, in no way, con- complete it all that day."
sider myself a writer. It can be difficult choosing a topic, and then
there is the challenge of composing it. I was fortunate enough to The Publications committee is working to plan a Writers' Work-
participate in an abbreviated writing workshop in March at the shop for Physicians this Fall. I highly encourage anyone interested
Medical Society. The publications committee graciously included to participate. Although I was a reluctant participant at the "6:55"
the BCMS executive committee in their monthly meeting. The workshop in March, I found it very worthwhile. If writing is not
workshop was conducted by two amazing Fourth Year medical stu- "your thing," there has to be something creative that you are pas-
dents from UT-Health. It was entitled "6:55," and it was both en- sionate about. It could be photography, painting or drawing, playing
lightening and empowering. This type of workshop was described and/or composing music, gardening, baking/cooking — just to
in more detail in the March edition of San Antonio Medicine. name a few. Whatever it is, it is important to carve time out of your
busy schedule and "just do it!" I think you will find that you are a
During the workshop, we first discussed the process of reflection happier and more productive individual if you do.
and were given examples. We were given five minutes to write 6-
word stories. We then were given fifteen minutes to write at least Sincerely,
one 55- word story. After that we shared and discussed our work. Leah Jacobson, MD
UT-Health has incorporated this program into the medical school
curriculum for students, residents and faculty.

Below, I share with you a few of my "6" word stories and "55"
word stories from that workshop, as well as some that I have done
since then.

Theme- physician burnout 6 word stories:
"Early mornings, long days, late nights."
"Little sleep, no lunch, much work."
"Charts, charts, charts. Meetings, meetings, meetings."
"Day "off"— try to catch up."
"Long days. No time to play."

55 word stories:
"I am up before dawn — ready to go save the world again. To the

hospital I go to see newborn babies — they are so full of life. The
laughs and cries of my patients gets me through the day. Then the
burden of the charts begins to wear on me late into the night."

"I am fortunate to have a day "off." The "to do" list is longer than
the hours in the day. How do I begin to tackle this? Thoughtfully, I
go down the list, checking off each completed task — receiving great

8 San Antonio Medicine • July 2017