Graduation speech of Ilona Sawicki

Professors, Parents, Colleagues, distinguished Guests: It is my privilege to address you today.

When I was asked to speak to you I foolishly agreed without any hesitation. However, as soon as I sat down to put pen to paper it became clear that it is a lot harder than is seemed at first. For how can I express in words the emotions filling my heart? Let me try to share some of them with you.

Gratitude is right up there. We are thankful to the Deans, the Professors and all the people who lent a helping hand in teaching us. Thank you for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to be the best we can be.

We are grateful to our families and friends. They have supported our efforts. They helped us in moments of doubt and nurtured us to this success. I would not have the strength to carry on through the ups and downs of last years with out them.

Over the four years we have taken thirty-nine courses. There were hundreds of people involved in our education. I am sure that is was a gargantuan task to organize the scheduling and administration of this program. For this I want to thank the staff of the Dean's office. I want to thank my classmates as well. Even though we are now going in separate ways (some of us in pairs) we got through the last four years together. As the graduating class of the year 2000 we will always, for better of for worse,stand together. In a way, all of our future successes or failures will build reputation for us all.

Lastly, it is necessary to thank Yola, Chris, Abra and her family and everybody who helped in putting together this ceremony. You have done a wonderful job. But, let's get back to the feelings...

The next one is Pride --- definitely. We are now doctors of medicine. Although, not the oldest, it is a profession with millennia of history and tradition. We are joining in the ranks of great predecessors. From before Hippocrates to Dr. Barnard and beyond. We have earned this diploma the hard way. It came after lots of work and many sacrifices. And therefore, we will appreciate it that much more. For me, this diploma comes as the redemption for the sins of youth. Now, we have to make sure that any respect others have for us is not because of our title, but because we are good at what we do.

Joy --- you better believe it. Our studies are over. No more tests, exams, multiple choice questions or orals. True --- classes are over but our real education is only now beginning.

Answers, will no longer come in a neatly pre-packaged form with our task limited to choosing the right letter ABCD or E. Now, we are in

the big leagues. Not only must we formulate the right answers by ourselves; but most importantly, we must learn to ask the right questions.

Fear --- a little bit of that too. We are about to leave the halls of Academia into so called "real world". There, any wrong decisions will not cost us marks, but rather they may be a lot more expensive. I fear the day, I will face a patient for whom I will not have the answers. Every shred of knowledge we gain from now on will not improve our GPA. It will help us in caring better for our patients. And finally Excitement --- a lot of that. Firstly, because I am getting to the end of this speech. And secondly, because now we close this chapter. We have done well. Looking toward the future we can be sure that we can take on any challenge. We are well prepared for whatever lays ahead. Enough about feelings though. I get quite uncomfortable this close to my inner self. 'Cause

after all, what's a guy to know about feelings. So remember this: In the not so distant future; when on call you are awakened for the n-th time, tired, with puffy eyes and a headache worse than any hangover you have ever had; try to do your jobs well.

Remember you asked for it.

So... be good to yourselves and each other, EH!

Thank you