“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

***

I’ve waited so long for 2026. This year, I graduate residency! It’s only taken 9 years of medical training.

In January 2026…well also February and now most of March… I was busy working long shifts in the hospital, drafting a novel, and waiting for the sunshine to bring us spring. I also adventured through some of the eastern US’s fabulous swamps. A tour I called “swampin’.” So, though conceived months ago and already implemented, just past the first day of spring is the time to share my themes for 2026. It’s a big year. The first half is dedicated to the end of residency. The second half will be my first months as an attending physician.

Hope

This is my central theme for 2026. My last day of residency is June 30, 2026. I have so much hope. Hope about what I’ll learn between now and then. Hope of passing my boards. Hope about settling into my new life as an independent primary care physician. Hope for the nature of my life when I no longer have a residency schedule. Hope for all the things I’ll accomplish outside of medicine.

Growth

As I finish up residency, I’m among the most experienced residents. As a senior resident, I help junior residents and medical students learn what previous senior residents taught me. Yet, come July 1st, I’ll drop from the most experienced resident to the least experienced attending physician. I can’t wait to see how much I grow when I start practicing medicine on my own.

Independence

Medicine is accumulative. Each year of medical school and residency I’ve become more confident in my knowledge. 2026 marks the beginning of practicing medicine without a supervisor (though senior physicians and colleagues will always be there to help with complex medical cases). I’m ready to see where independent medical practice brings me.