The Real Superheroes of Medicine

Batman. Superman. Hercules. Wonder Woman. These are just a few of the names that come to mind when I think of superheroes. But to me, superheroes look a little different. Superheroes are the physicians leading their departments, directing the operating room suites, and seeing patients in the clinic daily. 

As I started residency, I was fueled by the desire to care for patients and provide excellent medical care. Each day was filled with countless patients, each with a unique story and medical diagnosis. But the 80-hour work weeks were long, daunting, and exhausting. In January of my intern year, I found myself settling into the monotony of patient encounters, as if I was rewinding and replaying each day over and over again.  Then life hit the pause button - as I found out that I was pregnant with my son. A flood of emotions rushed over me – excitement for a healthy baby and a growing family, but also anxiety about how I would manage this new role while providing the same care to my patients. Would I really be able to balance it all? 

The pregnancy was complicated. Hyperemesis. Preterm labor. Severe preeclampsia. Cesarean section. Postpartum depression. Each complication felt like its own villain that I had to overcome. Hours of charting and operating were now exchanged for diaper changes and feeding times. This became our new normal as we adjusted to what our new life would look like. 

Every superhero will have these moments where they are forced to remind themselves of their calling and purpose. An opportunity to remind themselves of who they care for and why they protect those around them. So I, too, had to self-reflect and reevaluate my own motivations. As I returned to work, it would have been easy to settle again into the monotony of patient encounters and hours of charting. However, I now realize how important it was to shift my perspective to see things from my patient’s viewpoint. Now, I was finally able to fully appreciate and empathize with the anxieties and worries of my patients. Because of this, these monotonous tasks were replaced with intentionality and purpose. It was no longer just about making the diagnosis, but about ensuring the patient felt heard and supported. 

So, I have learned that it is more than a colorful cape and special superpower. Our superpower is different. It is about putting on our white coat, pulling up the chair, and being present with our patients. Our superpower is crying alongside a family as they say goodbye to their child. It is visiting with patients in the ICU and supporting them as they navigate a long and treacherous journey to recovery. Our superpower is celebrating responses to medical treatments and successful surgical outcomes. It is hearing patients say that they feel valued and heard. Our superpower is teaching medical students to be compassionate and caring physicians. It is holding our patients as they find out that their baby no longer has a heartbeat. Our superpower is coming in on our days off to celebrate with patients as they are discharged after a long hospital stay. It is celebrating with families as they deliver a child after a long history of infertility. It is encouraging patients to accomplish their goals. 

Our biggest superpower is empathy.

As Hercules once said, “A true hero is not measured by the size of their strength but by the strength of their heart.” I have learned that for me, being a superhero is not really about what you know or what you can do, but truly about how much you care.