In Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius, also known as the Staff of Aesculapius, is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine.
My father and late husband were physicians whose guiding principles were to cure the sick and comfort them when they could not cure them. Yesterday at the graduation awards ceremony of the Mount Sinai Medical School most of the awards were given to progressive graduates who combined healing the sick with healing social problems and disparities and inequity and access, and diversity.
So be it. There were many who won awards for excellence in specific specialties. Some moments were illuminating. A young and scholarly graduate returning home to family in the heartland; another graduate already famous and wealthy for inventing medical technology headed for California; an Orthodox graduate working to encourage under-represented women, including Orthodox Jewish women to become doctors. The greetings from proud families in America, Africa and Israel were also heartwarming.
They all had a story and I salute their zeal and enthusiasm and love for their profession after four arduous years of study and hard work.
I do want to remind them, however, that several generations of doctors who preceded them vanquished polio, infectious diseases, many forms of cancer, heart disease and preventive care without prejudice or any motivation other than to cure and prolong life of all patients regardless of race or religion or ethnicity.
rsk
