As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on the many moments that shaped 2024, both personally and professionally. Among these, one of the most profound was the honor of delivering the commencement address to the graduating class of 2024 at the Trinity School of Medicine…
Trinity School of Medicine Convocation 2024: Finding your Art
June 1, 2024
Fox Theater, Atlanta GA
To the Wilsons, President Ulmer, Dean Geisler, faculty, staff, esteemed graduates, honored guests. Good afternoon and congratulations to the Trinity School of Medicine, graduating class of 2024.
I am incredibly honored to be your commencement speaker…
From the Head to the Heart
We spend most of our careers exploring the science of medicine… Today, on your graduation day, however — I’d like to shift gears a little and move us from the science to the art — from the head to the heart.
The Early Obsession with Goal Setting
Beyond my intense love of biochemistry and functional medicine… I spent much of early adult life, obsessed with goal setting…
The First Big Struggles
So in the spring of 1999, I confidently signed an expensive, five-year office lease…
Inspiration or Desperation
I went door to door (literally), canvassing all the homes that surrounded my new clinic…
From Struggle to Growth
Either way, little by little, our practice began to grow…
The Turning Point
It was around then, in 2009, when a close friend and partner in this initiative passed away from esophageal cancer. I was devastated…
Back to School
It was at this point that I decided to completely strip my practice down… I enrolled and was accepted into the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine…
Hard but Worth It
To say it was difficult, would be an understatement — but that’s what made it great! If it’s difficult you’re being challenged. This is where growth happens.
Full Circle
The complexity of my caseload continued to increase… Today, almost 60% of our IV caseloads are for supportive cancer care…
Lessons Learned
You see, goals are about things. Things are material constructs… Material things do not move the heart.
Closing Words
You all have unique talents and abilities. Your success, satisfaction and most importantly happiness… And no matter where you do your residency… if your mind is led by your heart, I promise you – you will end up in the place of your dreams.
Thank you
