I feel like a child wearing his father’s coat
The starched fabric seems like a costume
I look down at the white fabric constantly
Afraid that any imperfection will show me as a charlatan
I wonder when it won’t be a performance
Two fingers clutching the bell
Black wires extending to my head
Ears solemnly listening
One day I’ll identify murmurs with ease
Smiling as I listen to my patient’s chest
I’ll wear my white coat with pride
I won’t shiver
Writer-in-Training
Drexel University College of Medicine
Rohit is a second year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2012, and then went on to teach reading to elementary school students for two years. After teaching, he worked in health policy for a year, and then matriculated to medical school. Currently, he is pursuing an MD/MPH degree and hopes to work in community health and harm reduction. He is passionate about health equity, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. By far, his greatest skill is reciting lines from Pixar’s Up.