Is there something hanging in your office that inspires you?

Dawn Sherling, MD, Florida Atlantic University

When I was a resident, our APD’s husband was a professional photographer. As a gift, he took photos of us in clinic. My photo is of me examining someone who became a patient of many years. I look at it to remind me where I started and the ideals that brought me to primary care.

Rajani Surendar Bhat, MD, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore, India

This string of Japanese origami cranes, a gift from my patient’s 13-year-old daughter to wish me luck; it hangs next to my computer. The cranes also symbolise hope and healing.

Avital O'Glasser, MD, Portland, Oregon

An embroidered “Oath of Maimonides,” a med school graduation present from my mom.

“May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.”

Kimberly Manning, MD, Emory University

I started running at the age of 43 after losing my 44-year-old sister to a sudden cardiac death. I keep all of my race bibs on my office door as a reminder that I can do anything I set my mind to doing—especially when it’s fueled by love.

Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My reading chair, a gracious gift from my residency program, which features the quotation:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal

It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

“It’s a Herget,” a painted screen by Dee Herget hanging in my office @HopkinsBayview, which is located in the world epicenter of painted screens. It reminds me that the @HopkinsMedicine mission is to serve both the community AND the world.

Mays Ali, MD, Mayo Clinic

I keep cards and notes from family, friends, and patients in my desk drawer. On days when I need inspiration or a reminder of the good I set out to do, I look at them. It helps immensely and brings me so much joy.

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A Secret Service hat given to me to wear the morning of a bedside swearing-in of a patient into the Secret Service. He transitioned to comfort care and passed away shortly after that. Easily one of the bravest persons I know—he opted to focus on comfort after eight years of battling cancer.

Margot Kelly-Hedrick, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A piece of art by @rlmartstudiothat reminds me I am always learning and growing … and to keep a growth mindset throughout.

Kerri Johannson, MD, MPH, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

An inspiring quotation when I come to work every day:

“Work is love made visible.” -Kahlil Gibran

David Kopacz, MD, Veterans Affairs, Seattle, Washington

A quotation that reads:

“Not all who wander are lost.” -J.R.R. Tolkein

Tresa Muir McNeal, MD, Temple, Texas

Two different plaques that balance each other out:

“Chief Chaos Officer”

“It is well with my soul.”

Jessica Colburn, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Framed pieces of artwork made by my twins when they were in kindergarten. Dreams for when they are 100. The perfect artwork for a #geriatrician #mama.

Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicin

A copy of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken.” It reminds me that sometimes only a whimsical choice or twist of fate is all that keeps me from being in my patient’s shoes.

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An amazing quilt my residents made me years ago. Whenever I beat myself up it is there, and reminds me of all of the lives we touch in education. I want to always be worthy of that gratitude.