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SAN ANTONIO
MEDICINE
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I have just read your October issue through. It is excellent. was a beautifully humble example of what we call “use of self” in social
I particularly like the consistent theme from start to finish of des- work parlance to heighten awareness and teach self-care. It is very true
tigmatizing mental health issues/fluctuations/needs, empowering peo- that the women physicians whom I know well enough to share stories
ple (professionals and others) to make healthy adaptations/engage with, shoulder that “second shift” of family care more than most male
their own healing processes, as well as how to discern when outside physicians do.
help is necessary. I love the concept of healing narrative and of course know the writ-
The article on helping refugees was excellent and nuanced. So timely ing of Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, but still today got new gems from
as well! David Schulz’s review— especially the Talmudic teaching: “We do not
The post-COVID syndrome article was very interesting… if I may, see things as they are. We see them as we are.” Not only did I take this
I would like to share it with a friend in NYC who has suffered daily to heart personally… but… Bingo: Our national polarities explained!
migraines since having a case of (“mild!”) COVID early on in the pan- May I also forward this issue to my two women psychiatrist col-
demic. leagues (one of who is a DO) in Westchester, NY?
I was particularly impressed by how your second-year student, Niva Thanks again for an illuminating read!
Shrestha, thoroughly researched statistics tracing seeds of burnout in
later life to medical school “norms” and learned behaviors in the con-
text of high stress and high expectations. Her graph was crystal clear Susan V. Walton, LCSW-R, MFA
and could be applied to many professions.
Dharam Kaushik, MD’s story broke my heart. Tragic to learn from
If you would like to send a letter to the editor of San Antonio
the fatal, suicidal burnout of a mentor. And Nora Vasquez, MD’s essay Medicine magazine, please email editor@bcms.org.

Artistic Expression in Medicine

By Sarah Cox

Stronger Together, Oil on Canvas Sarah Cox is a medical student at the Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Class of 2023.

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