Great People Doing Great Work: How to brave your journey

Sarah Wang is a dual MD-PhD student at the University of Virginia. She is also a patient advocate for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), where we met. I was instantly impressed by her thoughtfulness and contributions to the advisory board on which we serve: Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science (CEDS). In this episode, Sarah shares about a loved one's cancer diagnosis and the impact it has had on her life and career trajectory. For all of us, she outlines some strategies for braving your academic or medical journey; which may also apply to a healthcare journey (as a patient or caregiver). One of my favorite aspects was her reflections related to the fact that life is an emotional roller coaster; a mindfulness practice allows you to embrace "the transient nature of emotions."

Other takeaways include:

• Using experiments as anchor points for your schedule
• Practice to speak up-- you belong. Your opinion matters...even when you feel a lump in your throat
• Her passion is at the intersectionality of healthcare: Triangle of provider, caregiver, researcher
• Community support is imperative when something tragic is going on
• Based on some of her experiences, she knows her mantra for providing quality care will be akin to: "If I can't cure your cancer, I want to be a support member for you."
• Sharing about your needs for support in your research team can help you a) get resources that are needed and b) give yourself time and space to balance everything that is happening in your life
• In your training, seek elective courses, like UVA's “The heart of medicine” that shares about wellness, intentionality. *If your program doesn't have one, perhaps seek online resources. Learning how to put your own oxygen mask on first is imperative.
• There's a general void in knowing the truth of "what we are getting into." Think critically, find mentors, share what this job (biology, medicine) is going to look like
• Flourishing is living your life fully- the way you want to... It's a chosen path with opportunities to find the beauty in the pain..."stars can't shine without darkness."
• Sarah shares the impact of art of life lessons from others before us. Specifically, a quote from Raymond Carver's Late Fragment: "And did you get what you wanted from life, even so?”
• A reminder that if your environment isn't helping you function, seek options (e.g., switching labs, programs, or universities)
• Great people are doing great things-- the purpose of academics is to teach you the rigor of science. The politics of science are overwhelming, but remember your "why" can help you stay the course.
• Being brave or having courage is willingness to be yourself - show the world who you are. "Give them your pure thoughts and not be afraid to share that."

More about Sarah Wang as well as the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) in general:

PCORI: https://www.pcori.org/

Sarah Wang: https://med.virginia.edu/bims/congratulations-to-sarah-wang-recipient-of-an-nih-f30-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award/