Tag: communication

Nathanael Camick Nathanael Camick (1 Posts)

Contributing Writer

Florida International University College of Medicine


Nathanael is a medical student at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, FL, Class of 2025. In 2020, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor of arts in public health and natural sciences. Prior to medical school, he worked as a research coordinator in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Outside of medicine, he enjoys watching and playing sports, relaxing at the beach and listening to music.




“Hola, mi nombre es … y soy un estudiante de medicina.”

She asks me if I can speak Spanish, to which I regrettably deny, stating I can understand it well, but my ability to communicate in my mother tongue is lacking. Her eyes catch my sight, this time not projecting annoyance, but now disappointment, with her head shaking and her uttering, “That is an absolute shame. You should know how to speak Spanish. You are Hispanic and do not know Spanish? What a shame.”

The Fallacy of Shared Decision-Making

I took a quick trip to Target a month ago and browsed for new jeans. I approached the clothing section and was suddenly struck by the overwhelming challenge I had undertaken. From rack to rack, I had to choose from a multitude of different brands (Levis, Wrangler, True Religion and more), different styles (skinny, bootcut, tapered and more) and different colors (blue, black, tan and more). I had to figure out my current exact size and, even then, there are many different ways to size jeans (small-medium-large, waist-by-length and others).

American Sign Language and the Power of Communication

I began my journey with the Deaf community before coming to medical school starting with a basic American Sign Language class just to learn a few routine signs. I continued with the American Sign Language Club at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, hoping to learn more medical signs for any future interactions with Deaf patients. Through the club, I recently met an incredible four-year-old boy named John at a local community event to meet Peppa Pig.

Sondos Zayed (2 Posts)

Contributing Writer

McGill University


Sondos Zayed is a medical student at McGill University who relishes at every opportunity for personal and professional growth, knowing full well that her patients will be her most influential teachers.