Doctor - a zigzag journey

Part 31 - Goodbye, Dartmouth, USA

hBackground: 2003 (Age 36 years) 

In the morning, I had two slices of toast and a glass of milk for breakfast. The snow was heavy. When I walked pass the dining hall, I saw the picturesque view outside the windows (see photo)! The trees were coated in white. The shrubs bowed down in thick snow. The atmosphere was serene. This was the dining room in which I would have dinner with Peter, Prof Yeo and their families. I looked forward to the gathering.

After breakfast, I went to do my routine activities (participating in medical research and attending teaching classes) at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), which is a large-scale medical center in New England (USA). It provides care for patients from Vermont, New Hampshire and other parts of the northeast. With 5000 employees plus the patients and their families, the medical center is almost like a little city in itself.* Natural light found its way into the building via enormous windows and skylights. Patients and visitors could do shopping in the mall-like medical center. Cafeteria, gift shops, bookstores, artworks, sculptures, and a branch of the Fleet Bank were housed in the medical center. At the vibrant DHMC, many researchers were actively involved in various research projects. I was participating in a research led by Prof Yeo at the Department of Pathology within DHMC.

Walking pass the Fleet Bank, I stopped by to withdraw some cash at the teller.

"I wish to withdraw fifty dollar cash. I am sorry to trouble you with this small transaction as I have not got an ATM card," I said sheepishly to the teller.

"Don't worry, no business is too small a business," the teller replied with a friendly smile.

Her smile and warmth made my day. I kept the cash securely in my worn-out wallet. I spent sparingly.

Upon reaching Prof Yeo's office, I saw a small photograph of Bruce Lee, who was a Hong Kong American martial artist and actor, on the door. Bruce Lee (1940 – 1973) was a famous movie star who died from cerebral edema at age 32. He was voted as the Greatest Movie Fighter Ever in 2014 by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame.** The photo on the door could be a reminder to try our very best in order to excel, I guessed.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," came the voice of Prof Yeo from the office.

I entered.

"Take a seat, KC," Prof Yeo said. "How is the analysis?"

I was participating in two projects. The BNP (B-natriuretic peptide) project would take a longer time to complete which entailed ongoing collaboration after I left Dartmouth. Meanwhile, we were completing a short project in analyzing the use of a biomarker (troponin) in the medical center based on a new algorithm.

"Here is my analysis," I showed and explained the analysis.

"We can submit our findings to a journal for consideration of publication," Prof Yeo said with a hint of satisfaction.

Prof Yeo is my role model in the field of research. His perseverance and diligence inspired me. I shall try my very best in order to excel. At this moment, the image of Bruce Lee appeared in my mind.

*****

The night of gathering for dinner with Peter, Prof Yeo, and their families was one of the highlights of my trip. Home-cooked Chinese food, red wine, and the friendship were much appreciated. The picturesque view from the large windows in the morning was engulfed by the darkness. Nonetheless, the friendly and helpful people in the dining room and their warmth were as wonderful as the picturesque view.

We chatted on how I was settling in the community, my first experience skiing with Peter and his wife, the weekend with Prof Yeo and his family to the Chinatown, and my short visit to the Harvard campus on a weekend. They also shared their experience in living and bringing up children in the USA. There were hardships in their journeys. But, they took on the challenges and succeeded. Their determination to succeed in their endeavors boosted my morale! At the end of the dinner, I rewrote my sentence 'the home-cooked Chinese food, red wine, and the comradeship were much appreciated'.

*****

When my elective term at Dartmouth came to an end, I felt sad that I was leaving a friendly community. I agreed that the bonding between an individual and the community was not just proportional to the length of stay but also to the intensity of the interaction between them. It was time for me to pack my books and stuff in the laboratory.

"I would like to give you this jersey as a gift," Lyn handed a green jersey to me. "My grandson attended an outdoor activity there and got this jersey."

The light green jersey had 'Hulbert Outdoor Center, Vermont' logo printed on it.

"Thank you, you are so kind, Lyn," I replied gratefully.

I thanked Joyce (Peter's wife) who was working in the laboratory too. 

*****

Prof Yeo sent me to the bus station to catch the Dartmouth Coach to the airport. I unloaded my luggage from his car. The luggage was heavier than before because it was loaded with love and care from the community and the lovely people.

"Have a safe trip home and all the best, KC," Prof Yeo said.

"Thank you for everything that you have done for me, Prof Yeo," I replied.

We shook hands. Our hands were gloved. The warmth was felt from the inside.

He left. I saw his car disappeared in the foggy winter morning. 

I boarded the coach.  Goodbye, Dartmouth.

Reference:

* Karla Kingsley. Environment and atmosphere help heal at DHMC. The Dartmouth. 30th April 2002. Accessed: thedartmouth.com/2002/04/30/environment-and-atmosphere-help-heal-at-dhmc/

** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee