a multimedia and literary publication for the umass chan medical school community

Reflections on the path to medicine

OUR LATEST ISSUE IS A TRIBUTE TO A BELOVED MEDICAL HUMANITIES MENTOR, TEACHER, AND PHYSICIAN:

DR. DAVE HATEM

From the Students

Dr. Hatem is an incredible teacher and an integral leader of the UMass Chan community.

He is always in bright spirits, and his warmth is palpable. In addition to his roles as a physician and educator, he is also a wonderful writer. He has shared his passion for creative writing with students by always encouraging us to write more and reflect. We will miss you!
— Rahi Patel, MS3

The road to medical school and the journey throughout training is long and daunting, and it often feels like there isn’t time to pause along the way. Dr Hatem has shown me that not only is there a space to reflect and discover the humanity in medicine, but that there is a vibrant and cohesive community interested in doing that work with me. Thank you, Dr Hatem, for showing me what it looks like to remain rooted in your humanity whilst practicing medicine. I know that many colleagues, students, and patients will carry this legacy of dignity and compassion for years to come.
— Maya Jotwani, MS3

You've created a community of people here and shown us that it's absolutely possible to practice as a physician and explore our creative sides. I don't have enough words to thank you for what you've built here (sorry for threatening you when you told me you were retiring). I'm excited to carry what you have taught me into my training, and please know that your generosity and kindness will always stay with me.

— Kayal Parthiban, MS3

From the Colleagues

Dave Hatem has been an inspiration to me as a faculty member for two decades. I have loved watching him inspire students to do more writing through his writing elective. He pushed for many courses to have reflective elements and powerful pre-session essays on professionalism and other important doctoring topics. He has moved UMass Chan along in terms of medical humanities through the Humanities Committee he formed which evolved into the creation of the Medical Humanities Lab. I have been honoured to coChair this Lab with Dave. Through it, he has brought together the community of students, residents, faculty and others interested in deepening our curiosity of the people and humanity around us - Dave has brought attention to this important way of seeing and being. And through it all - he has written and read at Med Moth and even teared up on occasion. Thank you, Dave - for your leadership, role modeling, vulnerability, and example. We wish you well in retirement. Write on!
— Hugh Silk, MD

I have learned so much from Dave Hatem collaborating with him over the past 3 decades. Since 2010, we worked closely together weekly (sometimes daily), building the learning communities program at UMass Chan. He was such an amazing ally in this endeavor as Dave always had a default perspective focused on the "big picture" while I tended to hone in on the details. When challenges arose, Dave showed me how to embrace them as opportunities for creativity rather than battles to be waged. His open, inquisitive approach was disarming to other stakeholders around the table. I often wondered if he developed this modus operandi as a result of being one of the younger children in a large family of 7 sibs and many cousins.

— Mike Ennis, MD

'Whatever specialty you end up choosing, remember that you're just picking the type of psychiatry you want to practice." l'd say that's the best piece of advice in med school that I have gotten, and it came from Dave Hatem during one of our first LPP sessions in my first semester of med school. It speaks not only to his sense of humor, but to his determination in encouraging students and trainees to treat the whole patient regardless of their future medical niche.

Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Hatem in my first two years of medical school has been such a privilege--his passion for mentorship, personal reflection, and teaching is contagious, and my time with him both in and outside the clinic will stay with me throughout my career. I hope he enjoys his retirement knowing how many medical students he has helped transtorm into compassionate and thoughtful physicians. His presence will most certainly be missed by his students, colleagues, and patients alike, but his tireless efforts building the learning communities and mentorship programs at UMass will last for generations to come.

— Gabriel Dreyer, MS3

As a former mentee of Dr. Dave Hatem, I have been fortunate to receive his unwavering support and guidance throughout medical school and beyond. Dave is a model of the kind, thoughtful, engaged, and passionate educator and physician that many of us aspire to become. Known among his mentees and colleagues for his thoughtful use of silence, he creates space for learners to explore, reflect, and grow-whether in clinical reasoning, skill development, or career exploration. His mentorship has empowered me to chart my own path in medicine.

— Conor Grogan ‘18, MD