University of Michigan Medical and Nursing School - Aequanimitas Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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The Light side of the Balance What do they owe us'? How much may we expect and demand for the sacrifices we may have made-'7 How much may we reap in the wav of financial gain at the expense of others based solely on our own self value andimportance? Don'twe deserve status, respect and elevation to a higher pedestal in society? Aren't we special because we've had a special education? Aren't we heroes because we save lives by administering drugs or using the knife? Shouldn't we have more privileges in so- ciety, fewer hours worked and benefits for what we may have given up in the past? Who is going to pay back all the hours and dollars expended by us in our intense weaning? But wait! Did we really have to put forth the effort in the first place?

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JS Q - Q .- 4 I Q A! . 7 l ' Arr W . -sl f K J A ments, the mind that sees qualities in others that he himself lacks, and praises his fellow man for them, the mind of keen wisdom and understanding and not the intellectual conceit of an information gathererg the mind that accepts competition for the benefits it gives and which strives to reject the evil it bringsg the mind that 'T -riffs 3 ,, , in-.,, places humility above honor on the list of human virtues, the mind that accepts disappointment for the strength of character it builds, the mind that attempts to understand the whole of man in addition to his bodily structure and functiong the mind that concerns itself with society as well as with the individual, The future of the profession will soon, if not already, be our concern. If the whole matter of medical progress was one man's responsibility, all could rest on his wisdom and sensitivity to the needs of the future-but this is not so, nor can it be, nor should it be. Rather, the future of the profession lies in the hands of men and women, set apart by varied talents, tastes and characters, but united in spirit. You and I, who hopefully possess style, perception, imagination and excellence in the art and science of medicine, coupled with true open-mindedness, must meet the needs ofthe future. If this is felt to be so, then it can be and should be, for it is with a true open mind that the advantages of the future can be ours, so that we, with help, may lead as well as heal, making our tomorrow a better today for humanity. Tom R. De Meester '63

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The Weighty Challenge What do we owe to others? Are we ourselves responsible for the talent of becoming physicians? Having been given this talent, isn't it our obligation to use it for the benefit of all? How much did others pay from their pockets to the general fund to educate us? Isn't what we invested small by comparison? If we are an exceptional group, should we really expect the benefits of other people? If we really believe in the art of medicine and in the patient-doctor relationship, can we ever expect to abbre- viate our time spent helping others? Aren't we most exceptional if we uphold the old image of the physician as one who holds special powers and yet is one ofthe many showing limitless quantities of the basic virtues of service, devotion and love? Clyde H, Beck, Jr. '63