June 16 was residency graduation day. It seems they come so quickly — 43 since my first year at Duke (then Duke-Watts) Family Medicine. The format has changed over the years but the spirit remains the same.
Six freshly minted family doctors are off to meet new challenges and, perhaps, change the world. They may not know it yet, but they are about to learn more about being a doctor in the next year than ever before.
New York, Washington (the D.C. one), Greenville (the S.C. one) and California are in for a great surprise. These new doctors are willing to stretch outside the clinic walls and look at the society that molds their patients and their community. They are already activists as they have participated in NCAFP’s White Coat Wednesday and several Moral Mondays, among other events and organizations that look at the root causes of illness in society. They are part of the #FMRevolution and are not afraid of change.
It was great to see all the families and friends of the graduates, as well as alumni and faculty. The residency staff — Jody Crabtree, Teri Pond and Felecia Williams — always makes the event special and deserves a round of applause.
A New Chapter
I must admit they pulled one on me this year. I have officially announced plans to retire at the end of the year. The amount of love and caring I have received from everyone is heartwarming and I will forever be grateful. But the announcement at graduation of an educational fund in my honor was the big surprise. I am blessed.
I hope to keep my presence felt at Duke Family Medicine. It has been my home and second family for over 40 years. It was gratifying to see the family spirit at graduation and to be reassured that the tradition will continue.
Part of my plan is to see if I can connect with alumni so I can witness and document all their great accomplishments. There will be a tweet, a blog, a link, a Facebook, etc. along the way. Maybe some of you can help me with a new “handle” and title.
The decision has been somewhat bittersweet. My patients are sad — some of them joined me in 1975 — but instantly happy for me, and I have been assisting them with transition. They have been gracious and that has helped. I will miss them.
Of course, I will not miss metrics, prior authorizations, inbox, and hours in front of the computer. Goodbye to Maestro (EPIC), it has been “real.”
Joyce Copeland is core faculty with the Duke Family Medicine Residency Program. Email joyce.copeland@duke.edu with questions.
Editor’s note: A member of the Duke Family Medicine faculty guest blogs every month. Blogs represent the opinion of the author, not the Department of Community and Family Medicine or Duke University.