What have you learned in 2020?

• How to adapt. We’ve had to make so many changes with telehealth and different ways to support our patients without always being able to see them in clinic. We have changed our schedules so we could cover different services for COVID. We were always able to adapt. Also – how awesome the people in the department are with coverage when you are sick or in quarantine for a COVID contact. We could always count on somebody to step up and help out. – Morgan McLeod, Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
• Social distancing is not fun but interestingly, I feel like I did a better job at staying connected to my family on a much more regular basis (compared to previous years) using facetime and phone calls. I tried for many years to get into the habit of waking up early in the morning. Thanks to the pandemic, I wake up at 5am everyday now including weekends. – Bhagy Navalkele, Infectious Diseases
• Kindness has the perfect timing, especially when unexpected. – Rochelle Kolawale, PGY-3
• Success is far less important than kindness. Don’t take everyday blessings for granted. Focus on relationships and the more you give, the more you get. – Javed Butler, Cardiology
• 2020 has taught me countless lessons personally and professionally.  The most impactful professionally for me was that advocating for the greater good should know few boundaries.  Patient care in 2020 added extra hurdles, unknowns, and, frankly, exhaustion that was felt by many. When the barriers were overwhelming, we all had to press on to accomplish what was best for our patients, ourselves, and those we worked with.  Often, I found myself pushing many communication and hierarchical boundaries to succeed in a common goal.  This experience has empowered me to know that when we are advocating for what’s right, we must strive for nothing less than excellence despite what it may take to overcome tremendous obstacles.  – Lance Majors, Hospital Medicine
• It’s beautiful to see how adaptable we can be. From initiating telehealth visits to remote medical student learning to interviewing virtually (all without having much time to prepare!), I think it’s so remarkable that we’ve been able to go with the flow and make it work. I also think, especially in healthcare, 2020 has been very unifying. We really are all in the pandemic together and I’ve noticed a great deal of gratitude and camaraderie. – Savannah Duckworth, Internal Medicine
• In addition to seeing my fellow physicians’ selfless work ethic in regards to their patients, those same physicians are just as selfless when it comes to helping out their colleagues. From quarantines to daycare closures, everyone has stepped up to help each other out. It reaffirms my decision to work here. – Day Lennep, Rheumatology
• Patience. – Taylor Harvey, PGY-2
• I have learned just how important it is to maintain community in the midst of this season of isolation. Being intentional to maintain good relationships with and to debrief with my work colleagues has had profound benefits to my mental health and my ability to function as a resident. – Austin Puckett, PGY-1
• When we care for ourselves and each other, we can accomplish amazing things. – Daniel Cirino, PGY-4, Rheumatology
• If there’s one thing I’ve taken from a tough 2020, it’s that oftentimes our perseverance relies upon our family and friends’ support. They are everything and keep me going. The thought of my boys makes me keep going strong! – Keith Murdock, PGY-6, Cardiology
• 2020 has taught me how to slow down and focus on what matters most in my life. It has made me more grateful for my family, my friends, and my health.  – Carter Milner, Hematology & Oncology
• More than ever, 2020 has taught me that even in the face of denial, mistrust, and even disregard for others, in order to proceed in our profession, physicians need to maintain a sense of moral obligation to society and our communities in promoting health and fending off misinformation. – John Caleb Green, PGY-4
• Learning how to connect (and re-connect) with people. I’ve had to get a lot more comfortable with patients and families on the phone. But I’ve also gotten to have Zoom happy hours with college friends and play online Pictionary with my family! And found a new running group so I get to spend more time outdoors! – Meredith Sloan, Chief Resident
• Little things we do can go a long way to making big differences in care. I also learned that isolation is a part of COVID care that takes a toll on patients. – Amor Royer, PGY-3
• We all need each other more than we realize. Social interaction is so important for our well-being and this year has been tough for that reason along with many others. – Rachel Mullins, PGY-1
• If you’re afraid of making mistakes, you’ll never make anything at all. – Will Crews, PGY-3
• I think I value my relationships more after this year and can’t wait to see and hug everybody after this whole thing is over! – Carrie Wynn, PGY-4, Hematology & Oncology
• The world is full of heroes that don’t wear capes. And Mr. Roger’s mom was right when she told him to look for the helpers in times of trouble. 2020 has brought out all of the world’s helpers. – Jessie Lavender, Internal Medicine
• The importance of updating families while their loved ones are in the hospital. This becomes really important with COVID times and especially in the ICU. Families cherish those phone calls when they cannot see or hear from their loved ones, and then it becomes imperative on the physicians to keep in contact with the patient’s family to bridge the gaps. – Christian Young, PGY-1
• During the height of the initial COVID-19 wave, I had the privilege of being a part of the MICU’s multidisciplinary team. I saw firsthand the dedication and commitment of this team as they cared for some of the most critically ill patients in the state of Mississippi. No rock was left unturned, from new transport protocols to proning procedures. I learned what this phenomenal team is capable of during trying times. – Jeremy Courtney, PGY-5, Pulmonary & Critical Care
• COVID has taught me the importance of internal medicine regardless of how much you specialize. Also how important it is to spend time with family and friends. I wasn’t able to spend time with my mom after my grandfather passed due to COVID. Can’t take it for granted. – Adi Sabharwal, PGY-5, Cardiology