PhotoHunt: Warm

To say that the last four weeks were hectic is the understatement of the year. We're in the thick of preparing for a week-long course for health professions students to be held this April; rolling out a project between the University and the Philippine Department of Health, and; laboring on the first draft of a book about our work among urban lower income communities. These on top of my regular academic load and activities with my Catholic renewal yuppy group.

This week brought some respite though as one of my classes held its last session for the year. The special seven-year Doctor of Medicine program of the University has a year-long once-a-week course called Introduction to Patient Care or IPC. The course title is a misnomer, carried along from its inception more than two decades ago. Thanks to its evolution, IPC does not only aim to make the medical student a good clinician. Moreover, it furthers the development of excellent physicians through a guided journey of self-discovery by way of activities that clarify their values, shedding light on their family's lineage, practice their skill for asking and giving feedback, among other activities. The course approximates a values and personality enhancement class that will hopefully ultimately lead to our students becoming caring, compassionate, and competent physicians.

As I have mentioned, the Wednesday past was our last day in IPC class. With all the things in my to-do list, to finally have all my Wednesday afternoons free starting next week is a tremendous blessing. But before we parted ways, all three of us facilitators received this token of remembrance from them. They wrote heartwarming messages on the other side of this framed sheet bearing the amazing illustrations of our likeness.

I will surely miss the 10 students we've been facilitating for the last 8 months.
They're a bunch of articulate, effervescent, talented, sincere students who displayed genuine interest and resolve to better themselves through the course. It was such a joy to have been given the chance to work with them. If they remain as diligent and human as they are now through medical school and beyond, I would entrust my health or the health of a loved one to them in a heartbeat.

Php 1:3-6
I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.