David Vermette, MD, MBA presents to New York Chapter of American College of Physicians on growth as a human in medical education

“Brother David, how’s your soul?” The question invited vulnerability, reminded me that I am seen and that I am a human.
Vermette

Dr. David Vermette, Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Program Director in the Division of General Medicine & Geriatrics, gave a talk to the New York chapter of the American College of Physicians on Thursday, November 7th.

The talk was titled “Small Feedings of the Soul: Readings and Reflections” and Dr. Vermette spoke on his essay written and shared in the April 2024 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, “How’s Your Soul?”, which discusses his residency program director’s unique background as a Master of Divinity that helped Vermette focus on his growth as a human being rather than only concentrating on clinical evaluations.

“When I was asked by my program director, “Brother David, how’s your soul?”, the question reminded me that I am seen,” Dr. Vermette shares. “The question invited vulnerability. It reminded me that I am human.”

While medical school can be a stressful time, Dr. Vermette gives a reminder in his essay of who a person is to their core.

Dr. Vermette shares, “Medical education has numerous models for coaching, advising, and mentoring. While these models helped develop my professional life, they missed the fundamental core of who I am: a human being. Perhaps instead we could embrace a model in medical education built on the tenets of pastoral care.”