The Big Mistake I Made in Front of 1300+ Med Students and Residents
- Dr. Jen Caudle
- Jul 30, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5, 2023
This week I traveled to the American Academy of Family Physicians National Conference in Kansas City, MO to give the Keynote address. I've been preparing for this talk for months and I was beyond excited! This conference is geared towards medical students and residents who are going into Family Medicine and I couldn't wait to be around my people!
It was so nice being in Kansas City because it kind of reminded me of my home state of Iowa (I haven't been back to Iowa in a long time). It was super hot, but with the recent heatwave, it was hot everywhere.
Once I got to town I did a quick test of my presentation on stage and then I got to meet AAFP student and resident leaders (they were SOO sweet, btw):
I could hardly sleep the night before my speech. I was up HOURS before I needed to be up the morning of my talk but it gave me plenty of time to order breakfast and curl my hair (and re-curl my hair because it was so humid and I forgot hairspray at home).
I also had ample time to rehearse my speech (which never hurts!)
I headed to the Convention Center. Excitement was in the air because the conference was officially kicking off and attendees were arriving in droves!
I headed backstage to get mic'd up and to get ready to give my speech.
AND THEN it was showtime... I recorded the audience as I walked to the podium to capture the excitement! (boy am I glad I did)
And, this is the beginning of the mistake I made....
The audience was amazing! There were over 1300 med students, residents, and attendings in the room. All of us are family doctors or interested in becoming one and I could literally feel the electricity in the air!
I spoke for an hour and we all laughed and cried together. We relished in the joys of family medicine and we bonded over the struggles. This speech was one of the most enjoyable speeches that I have ever given and I think it's because we are made from the same cloth. As family doctors, we are all kindred spirits and it felt this way.
So what was the big mistake? My mistake was not realizing just how AMAZING this experience would be. I completely underestimated how inspired I would become from this experience- from the students and residents I met, the connections I made, and the bond I felt with my colleagues. This was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I have ever had. I knew this week was going to be amazing, I just didn't know how amazing.
To all the residents and med students I met at the conference- YOU ARE AMAZING! You all have such a bright future ahead of you!
Thank you, AAFP. You're in my heart.
- Dr. Jen
PS- wanted to share an additional resource for med students and residents in case it's helpful: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRQ7rebvr5iee6eYJm9krBrlwNnXBW1bu.
Dr. Jen Caudle is a board-certified Family Physician, Associate Professor at Rowan University, tv health expert, and video creator. She is a proud member of AAFP and ACOFP. Sign up to receive Dr. Jen's Daily Health Tips to get daily emails (Mon-Fri) with health information you can use to live a healthier life. Follow her on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
hi
Hi aemrecarter,This “Sorry You’re Leaving” card bio expresses heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes for someone moving on to a new chapter. It reflects gratitude for their hard work, kindness, and the positive impact they’ve made. With a thoughtful and uplifting tone, this bio celebrates their journey, honors their contributions, and sends sincere hopes for success and happiness in the exciting path ahead.
The deals offered in the business class usually reduce during the seasonal promotions, and it becomes more comfortable to allow travelers to have supreme comfort at reduced prices. Airway companies normally issue discounted tickets in low seasons or during significant events. Such offers are likely to be listed as a business class flights sale, where passengers will have an opportunity to reserve the better cabins at a competitive price. Flexible flight reservation options and seat upgrade,s and ticket cancellation services are available to travelers.
I had a really pleasant experience at the Emirates Airlines London Office. The staff were welcoming and patient, helping me sort out my flight changes and answering all my questions about baggage and seating. The office is well-organized and comfortable, which made the whole process quick and stress-free. By the time I left, everything was confirmed, and I felt ready for my trip. It was the kind of personal, helpful service that makes traveling much easier and less stressful.
I recently booked my Umrah pilgrimage through the Islamic Travel Agency UK and cannot recommend their services enough! The entire process was seamless and highly professional. Knowing they had ATOL protection provided great peace of mind, and their team offered invaluable services, step-by-step visa guidance. Our accommodation in Makkah was superb—a clean, comfortable, 5-star hotel located incredibly close to the Haram, which made performing Umrah so much easier. This was a truly stress-free, faith-centric spiritual journey. If you are looking for a reliable, expert UK-based Islamic Travel Agency for Hajj or Umrah, look no further! JazakAllah Khair!