Tag: doctor-patient relationship

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.




Leave It at the Door

As a medical student, I have found that one of the biggest challenges during my journey through the many clinical experiences is the ability to truly immerse myself in my patients’ stories and attempt to place myself in their shoes when thoughts of other clinical and academic responsibilities were constantly hovering over my head.

More Than Skin Deep

As a future physician, this experience reminded me to remain empathetic, compassionate and unbiased in all aspects of patient care. By doing so, I can not only improve trust and connection with my patients but also ensure that my clinical judgment remains clear.

My Most Important Lesson from Medical School

Upon reflection, my actions and feelings in caring for this patient reveal how truly afraid I was to be wrong; not necessarily about the diagnosis, but rather about whether the patient would be okay. Maybe coming in daily and opening her chart for good news was just me hoping that my initial impression was still right instead of coming to terms with the fact I was very wrong.

“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.”

Julia Thompson Julia Thompson (1 Posts)

Contributing Writer

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia


Julia is a third year medical student at University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia in Columbia, South Carolina Class of 2023. In 2017, she graduated magna cum laude from College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology. She enjoys cooking Taiwanese food, exploring Brooklyn and spending time in her hometown of Newport, Rhode Island in her free time. After graduating medical school, Julia will be completing her residency training in OB/GYN.