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

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Fred S. Wright 63 pf . , ' I -6 ' 4 The opportunity to select my own work for half of my final year has proved a wel- come one. Of the variety of possibilities offered by the new curriculum, my choice was a limited one-a project investigating intestinal malabsorption-but this is not to say it had limitations, On the contrary the task grew from within, In developing a largely untried method each step proved to be the source of several questions de- manding answers before the next step could be taken. ln analyzing data returned from a new experiment what answers that did come were more frequently only new questions in disguise, the result being the suggestion of a better experiment that the first. This is to say that the work seemed at times to progress slowly, Whatever the rate of progress, however, the work itself was fascinating and enjoyable. lt was a pleasure to have a sufficient length of time available to work out the methods myself. It was rewarding to have enough time to know the patients whom I studied. 130

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John Chimo skey '63 .E ' ig The opportimity to gain research experience is one of the highly personal ex- periences available to the medical student. Once he has determined to outline a specific question a.nd to attempt to demonstrate an answer by carefully controlled observation a.nd investigation he has undertaken one of the most satisfyingly chal- lenging and maturing tasks of his education. He will experience the realities of doubt and frustration early, occurring alternately with excited confidence. His crisp thinking will be at once tempered with monotony a.nd heartache as he becomes more personally involved in the investigation. For perhaps the first time he will experience an attempt to answer one of his own questions in acalculated analytical manner. He will necessarily gain respect for the ability to phrase a question, admiration for the ingenuity and perseverance required to translate the conceptual problem into a form that can be tested in a biological system, and he will derive real satisfaction from the ability to state an answer to the question, however it must be qualified. And from this last experience, qualification, mustproceedacertain respect and reservation in assessing all other facts and a humility with respect to truth a.nd its continual flux. In fact, he may be sufficiently impressed with these realities, his ovnm subjective experience and broadening horizon to be unable to lead anything other than a critical investigative life there after. 129

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My three month elective period was spent working in the Pathology Department. My activities during this time were of such a varied nature as to make their specific descriptions too lengthy for this writing. However, the majority of my time was spent participating, in some capacity, in the routine work of the Department which in itself is quite diversified. The time spent there was both pleasurable and a good learning experience. To form genuine personal relationships with the staff of a de- partment was an opportunity presented to me during this time which Ibelieve that, unfortunately, all too few medical students have had. In this regard I am sure my elective period did much to aid me in determining my own future. r H 5 I Michael S. Leahy 63 131