The
Naturalist's Rest
A contemplative sanctuary for the Medical Humanist
The Naturalist's Rest
A contemplative space for reflection and restoration
Alyssa's Decompression
Take a moment to breathe
Wisdom from Medical Humanists
Reflections on the art and humanity of medicine
"The brain is the most outstanding organ. It works for 24 hours, 365 days, right from your birth until you fall in love."
— Oliver Sacks, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
"It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there."
— William Carlos Williams, Physician & Poet
"The physician's duty is not to stave off death or return patients to their old lives, but to take into our arms a patient and family whose lives have disintegrated and work until they can stand back up and face, and make sense of, their own existence."
— Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air
Clinical Reflections Journal
Prompts for shadowing reflections and patient narrative appreciation
After Shadowing Sessions
- • What communication style did the PA use? How did it connect to rhetorical skills learned in AP English Language?
- • What patient narratives did you observe? How did the PA listen to and honor the patient's story?
- • How did historical context (from AP World History or AP US History) inform the medical decisions you witnessed?
Patient Narrative Appreciation
- • Reflect on a patient interaction you observed. What was the human story behind the diagnosis?
- • How did cultural context influence the patient's experience of illness?
- • What ethical considerations arose? How did the Omega curriculum prepare you to think about these questions?
💡 Keep a digital journal (Notion or similar) to track these reflections. They will be invaluable when writing your personal statement.
You're doing amazing, Alyssa.
Remember to take breaks. Your wellbeing matters.