Contributing Writer
University of Florida
Melissa went to medical school at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. She is currently a PGY-1 at the University of Florida Pediatrics Residency Program. She is not quite sure where she will end up after residency but has thought a lot about pursuing fellowship training in infectious disease. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys going to local parks and farmer’s markets with her husband and baby. She also enjoys reading sci-fi, writing letters to her awesome pen pal (her 8-year-old nephew), and Facetiming friends and family.
For the baby who’s been battered and bruised and for the adolescent already multiple times abused. For the children whose lives are so full of pain that they think their days are lived in vain. For parents overwhelmed with grief over a precious life that was far too brief. For the siblings who grow up too soon, as they watch how their loved ones are consumed. For the gaping hole that can never be filled, …
Still lungs. / Silent heart. / Time of death: 2:40.
Wrinkly face and wonky head; I support your wobbly neck. No matter the emotion, you respond with a cry.
It was the most joyful of times. It was the most horrific of times. A week before my first child was born,
an act of terror occurred on the other side of the world.
Hello, come in, / and welcome to peds clinic! / My attention is on you / for the next 20 minutes.
Home became a dark / place, and I miss the feeling / of warmth on my face
During my medical school journey at the University of Maryland, I created this photography series as an introspective representation of my experiences and to portray some of the unseen challenges and realities of medical training that, for example, are not seen on “medfluencer’s” pages — some feelings, experiences, and stories I wish I would have known prior to embarking on this career path.
At the turn of every corner / I will be found out / You will see / The fraud in me
Don’t you forget the first day of life, / You had turned upside down / And a tight slap upon your backside / Even to get you to breathe!
It feels odd to have family members in the hospital regularly again. My patient’s wife approaches cautiously; for a second I pretend not to see her. She looks like she wants to talk and I’m afraid she wants good news I can’t give, promises I can’t make, and time I don’t feel like I have. She wants time to tell me her loved one’s stories.
Graduation gown: shiny, matching cap / She looks up / With aspirations
Scared and frightened, we came in as interns / We had the knowledge, but we needed direction
Resident Physician Contributing Writer
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Dr Zarir Ahmed is currently a third-year Internal Medicine at Saint Louis University, his alma mater where he earned his degree in biology with a minor in studio art. He went on to the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue his Doctor of Osteopathy degree. Zarir is a resident by day and an artist, aspiring chef, and a curious traveler by night. Motivated by the opportunity to heal and teach others, he looks forward to serving as Chief of Internal Medicine at SLU in this coming year.
