Jefferson Medical College - Clinic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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ROSS V. PATTERSON, M.D Dean Ihlgu Tzzwzluy

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ALBA B. JOHNSON President, Board of Trustees Page Nineteen

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I . , I Thoughts on a Medical Career UCCESS in medicine is not to be attained by following a set formula. Its elements are to be found in definite personal gifts, qualities and attributes. An inborn talent for both the science and art of medicine is the great- est gift of all. Those so endowed owe it to themselves and to others to dis- cover and to develop their peculiar and special talents. Industry is an essential requisite, without which not even those with genius may hope to succeed. Opportunity contributes much to success: if opportunity fails to knock at my door, I will not hesitate to search for her in likely places. Time and patience are of the essence of success, experience can be acquired only with the lapse of years. A medical career is a gradual evolution, distinction is not to be achieved overnight. Experience should be proportionate to respon- sibilities assumed. A A sense of duty dictates that each task should be performed to the best of my ability as it comes to my hand day by day, and if I do this, I need not be concerned with my future. A sense of humor, if not overdeveloped, makes the journey along life's pathway a little more pleasant, a little less didicult. A sense of proportion will often serve as a guide to right conclusions, an imperfect sense of values may mislead an earnest and conscientious worker into a morass of avoidable difficulties. I will not fall into the ridiculous error of taking myself too seriously, for I know that in a broad sense, nothing matters much or lasts long. The rewards for my labors are to be measured by various yardsticks. Assuredly, there are real compensations in the satisfaction to be derived from the investigation of medical problems, in the gratification which comes from the practice of my art, if I am a good workman, there are inspiration, pleasure and pride in the fraternalism of a profession with a world-old history, honored and ancient traditions, in the roll of its many famous men, and in the records of its magnificent achievements. The success of an individual member is to be measured by his contribu- tions to the general welfare, the part he plays in the endeavors of the organ- ized medical profession, and his contributions to the sum total of medical knowledge. ' Medical knowledge involves many sciences, medical practice is a complex art. judgment as to the proficiency of an individual member of the medical fraternity is a highly technical matter. Popular approval has little bearing on scientific attainments. Those who ultimately win the approbation of the profession itself achieve the greatest possible eminence. f Page Tll'0I7f'j'-0119