THE VINTAGE MAN
the
difference
between a good artist
and a great one
is
the novice
will often lay down his tool
or brush
then pick up an invsible club
on the mind’s table
and helplessly smash the easels and
jade
whereas the vintage man
no longer hurts himself or anyone
and keeps on
sculpting
Light
Hafiz 1320-1389
Tomorrow we begin our education program, and I hope that it will be relevant, meaningful, and useful to you as you continue your education and become better surgeons, physicians, and persons. I encourage you to read constantly, care infinitely, and help unsellfishly. The road to becoming a ” a vintage man”, or a woman is ahead for us all, and patience and passion are the prerequisites. So be patient with yourself, and passionate and joyous for the paths that you chose. Those who entrust their lives to us rely on us being smart, and that trust must never be compromised.
Far removed from from Persia of the 14th century the words of Hafiz ring true for us today in Brooklyn, Let’s just try to break less “jade and easles” in the process.
It is said that “the words of Hafiz have won every heart that listens”, and my hope is that they will also spark your intellect, curiosity, and pursuit of knowledge.
See you tomorrow,
Alex Schwartzman
Today we had the last of the interns’ orientation sessions. Today’s activity was surgical instrumentation, knot tying, and suturing. We had five station, and I am grateful to the senior residents and faculty who came to help. We all had a great time, and I hope that it was helpful to our interns, and sub-I’s who were there, Jen and Kirsten. Dr. Kim as always, organized it very well.
I received some pictures from our Surgery Club Yacht party. Here are some of them.
Thanks again Peter and Erez for organizing this event.
To remind everyone, the core curriculum is beginning next Thursday, with Dr.Hirshberg presiding. Case conference in CT Surgery will follow the core curriculum. Please read the assigned topics, and be prepared to participate.
Alex Schwartzman
Erez and Peter organized a great party aboard the yacht. Many students and a bunch of our residents came and we all had a great time. Some students who didn’t even start came, as well as some who already graduated.
The music was great, and the weather cooperated. There was a singles party sharing the cruize with us, and that lead to an interesting dynamic.
Hope to post some pictures from the party when I get them.
Wanted to thank again Peter and Erez for a well run event.
Have a great weekend,
Alex Schwartzman
July 20th, 2009
Dear All,
I am happy to send you an invitation from Erez Dayan, president of the Downstate Surgery Society, to a great event celebrating Downstate and Surgery. Dr.Zenilman and I plan to participate, and invited our residents to join the party. Dr.Joel Ricci, one of our chief residents is helping coordinate it. Please let me know if you want to join us.
Alex Schwartzman
http://www.nellyslist.com/yachterez.htm
Dear residents,
Now that we are all settling into our new lives (sort off) and the intern orientation is well on the way, we must direct our attention to the didactic aspect of your training. On August 6th we are beginning the core cuuriculum and the the life long learning lecture series. The subjects to be covered for the August 6th, and the 13th will include trauma. I encourage you all to start reading the Trauma chapter in Sabiston. Some of you will be asked in advance to participate in the presentations. Dr.Hirschberg will be the faculty member leading the sessions. Please read the chapter assigned. You will benefit from the curriculum only if you read in advance.
For the life long learning hour, that will follow the core curriculum, for August 6th we will have a CT Surgery Specialty conference, and Dr.Bowne will lead the Journal club on August 13th.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best wishes,
Alex Schwartzman
