The milestone Introduction to the Profession course which occurs during an HMS student’s first year of medical school comprises a number of firsts: putting on a white coat for the first time, obtaining one’s first stethoscope, even the first day of class as a medical student.

Despite our excitement at having the opportunity to dive deep into the underpinnings of human health and disease during our first two years, it can be a bit of a disappointment to realize that many months of training stand between white coat day and the first time we will be able to meet and diagnose our own patients.  For many of us then, the most meaningful event during our first week this year was the opportunity to talk with patients one-on-one for the first time.