When you look at their white coats
Do you see what I see?
Do you see future doctors
Who are struggling to be
All the coat stands for
And yet even more
While they strive not to lose
Who they were before?
Do you see the bright smiles
As they joke between classes?
Or their genuine joy
When everyone passes?
And what of their passion
That interminable fire
How they share it with those
That they seek to inspire?
Do you see the brave parents
Who after class everyday
Drive home to their children
An hour away?
And what of the veterans
Who have served in a war
Yet have chosen this field
To serve others once more?
And what of the student
Who despite struggles in school
Won’t abandon their dream
Nor the faith that’s their fuel?
And the child of immigrants
Who faced discrimination
Yet dreams of bringing care
To the poor of this nation?
As they share solemn stories,
Do you hear their pain
And do you ever wonder
About the hope they retain?
Each of them shines,
Each a rising star.
Yet their identities are hidden
By who you think they are.
Can you see how they struggle,
All the challenges they face?
And how they overcome each
With such amazing grace?
Writer-in-Training
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Allyson is a first year medical student at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, FL. She graduated in 2012 from the University of Southern California with a degree in neuroscience. She is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric critical care or emergency medicine. Outside of school, Allyson enjoys photography and anything chocolate. Fall weekends find her loudly cheering on her alma mater’s football team.