What makes you grateful to be a healthcare professional right now?

Carl Streed Jr, MD, Boston Medical Center

1) Feeling helpful now more than ever

2) Job security

3) Fulfillment of oath and duty

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Being a #geriatrician & #PCP I’m trying to prevent bad outcomes for my most #vulnerable pts by calling, checking in & preparing w/ them.

It’s terrifying to know the risks are so high. But I choose to focus on the good that can be done & the unique connection of telemedicine.

Gaye Cunnane, MD, Royal College of Physicians Ireland

1. Having the skills to correctly interpret the myriad of data that bombards us each day.

2. Sharing this knowledge in a straightforward way with those who need to hear it.

3. Cherishing the common humanity that unites us all in both suffering and hope.

Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

The opportunity to be a source of comfort and information to those who are scared or in need.

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins

1. I have a secure job, never worry about the next meal, & am constantly reminded how incredibly fortunate I am for all of that.

2. It is in times of stress you really know who cares. I am grateful to be part of a profession that cares deeply.

3. Medicine is an exchange of love.

Megan Gerber, MD, Boston University Medical Center

Just when I feel that our world is irrevocably broken, a patient shares some aspect of their healing journey or fight, strength or courage in facing adversity/trauma/illness. It’s a privilege to share in these personal victories & know there is hope for humans.

Diana Anderson, MD, San Francisco, California

Grateful for knowledge about ventilators are and what critical care/invasive measures entail to teach my patients and their families so they can be prepared and make informed decisions.

Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins

Grateful to be employed as a source of support for learners and patients; and that my family and I can stay together: healthy, housed, and fed.

David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Grateful for my team who put up great Rebecca Solnit quotes all over clinic!

Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

#Grateful for the remarkable community I’m a part of @mghfc.

Kenneth Olivier, MD, Mayo Clinic

There’s a beautiful intimacy that healthcare workers enjoy with patients that’s so unique and powerful. When I pursued medicine I was thinking mostly about healing others, but was surprised at how much healing and love patients give you.

Aline Charabaty, MD, Johns Hopkins

Knowledge to keep my patients safe & healthy.

Privilege of my patients’ trust sharing their physical & emotional distress in difficult times.

Human connections: my patients worried about me & offering their support.

Loving, united, supportive healthcare community.

Nurse Pearl Avery, Portland, England

Grateful for the privilege to support our patients.

Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins

I’ve done some FaceTime and video visits with older patients who became tearful just seeing my face, not from sadness, but from relief to have the visit, and expressed such gratitude for the connection.

The contribution CLOSLER continues to make in connecting great and caring clinicians and to advancing clinical excellence everywhere through creation of community and support cannot be underestimated, and is becoming more valuable by the day during this pandemic. I look forward to every read and find it tremendously nourishing for the soul.

Maddie Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins

Being present with patients who are alone and vulnerable. The strength of my community. The compassion shown by my colleagues.