Senior Farewell Dinners

Senior Class Photo, Duke, Internal Medicine & Pediatrics combined residency program, 2007
[Back L-R: Kelly Koay, MD, Jennifer Walker, MD, Krishelle Leong-Grotz, MD; Front L-R: Christian Ramers, MD, Mathew Schwartz, MD, Reilly Coch, MD]

It is that time of the year when graduating seniors bid farewell to mentors, friends and colleagues, and look back on their training here at Duke with fond memories and astonishment at just how quickly 3 years (4 for some) has flown by. A word reiterated through speeches offered by many describing feelings they have during this time of the year was "bittersweet". And I can say, as a spouse to a medical resident, I concur.

It is hard to survive and sacrifice so much to go through a residency training. And I have to say it is probably a lot harder trying to do a combined program like medicine and pediatrics. It is one year longer than most (4 instead of 3) and you find yourself in your second year of the program being called a "senior" to interns who end up, by the end of their first year, actually having more experience (than you - if you did med/peds) in either single discipline.

So much self-doubt you have to overcome because of the nature of the combined program and split schedules, which pushes you to always have to "catch up" and learn quickly to "keep up" with medicine or peds colleagues.

And now it is Kelly's class' year. Their time. They are the ones being celebrated this year. Can you believe it is now their time? The many senior dinners we've attended, and the emotions we saw in the graduating seniors of those years - so palpable. And now Kelly and her class take their rightful place.

It is sad.

We have made a family in Durham. Not just our immediate family with Ethan born here, but with our many friends and colleagues who have truly been there through all the "major" events in my and Kelly's life. They have witnessed our early days as friends, then our days of dating, engagement and attended our wedding and were a witness to our marriage vows. They saw us through our first pregnancy and the eventual birth of our first born. They celebrated the highs, and commiserated with the lows. Many dinners, parties, get-togethers, game nights, movie nights.

And now, the group moves on to the next phase in their lives and professional development. Quite literally, the Duke med/peds class of '07 will be relocating to all four corners of the country - Seattle (Pacific Northwest), San Diego (Southwest/coast), Ithaca, NY (Northeast) and Georgia (Deep South) :-D

Thank you for the memories guys. We look forward to a reunion in the near future and good luck with all your future endeavors, be they professional, personal, or of service.

With two more senior dinners left (the medicine department and med/peds), emotions will be building, and ultimately come pouring when the med/peds class say 'good-bye'.

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alright, reality check, Noomz needs a poopie diaper changed... and oh yea, we still have this thing called a house to sell.. .argh!