Out of curiosity, if this was a chapter of a novel, would it intrigue you enough to want to read more of the story?
Trevor settled into one of the cushioned seats in the large steeply sloped auditorium. He tried to appear relaxed and at ease as he attempted to scan the auditorium as casually as he could. He was quite sure though, that inside, his heart was beating faster than usual. Med school at last. It was beginning to be real. Just the same, he knew it was still all very surreally not quite real yet.
He looked at the make-up of the class. Mostly Caucasian but what would you expect here ion the heart of the prairies. Just the same, there was a more than population-supported proportion of students, yes classmates now, of what appeared to be Chinese and East-Indian descent. Then his eye caught sight of an attractive girl who appeared to be of aboriginal descent. Yes, he knew there would be some of those. He had read the news stories of how the university, the medical school, was trying to recruit native students into medicine, hoping that would somehow translate into their being better-equipped to provide appropriately culturally sensitive care to their own people.
His reverie was interrupted by the master of ceremonies beginning the program. Various key university and departmental staff were introduced, most of whom he was quite sure he would have little to do with after today. Then faculty were introduced. These he paid more attention to. Finally it was time to introduce the students, all fresh in their new white jackets. One-hundred ten students. A record number to keep up with the growing population. He look around as each student was introduced. There were a couple he knew somewhat from some of his university undergraduate classes, but none that he knew well. None of his real friends were going into medicine. He wondered who and how many of his 109 classmates he would get to know better and maybe even become friends with. this was going to be an interesting journey.
His wandering thoughts were again interrupted. “Shannon McKay”, the emcee was saying. Hhmm. So that was the aboriginal girl’s name.
Trevor thought back to the kids he had known on the reserve at Little Green Lake those many years ago, or so it seemed now. His church youth group had made several trips up to that community to try and foster relationships between the two groups.
“Trevor Loewen”. He almost jumped to his feet. He hoped his being caught off guard wasn’t too noticeable. Pay attention, he told himself. Yes, that was an issue that had plagued him all through school. Some teacher had expressed concern about his wandering mind to his parents, to the point where he and even gone for an assessment by a psychologist. They were concerned about Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The psychologist had concluded that, yes, there were issues, but she did not think they warranted giving him diagnosis. So, he had struggled on. And here he was in medical school. What did that say about all those naysayer? he wondered.
Now the emcee was at the point in the program where the class was together to rise and, as one, take the Hippocratic Oath. Trevor had read it over beforehand, carefully. He was not only doing that to get it right; he was genuinely interested in what it said. Could he agree with everything they were going to be saying? He had hear that some students had difficulty with it, especially now that so many doctors were looking more favourably at things like assisted suicide for the very ill and elderly, let alone abortion. he wondered how he was going to deal with those issues. To him, all of life was sacred. This much he believed he knew, no one but the Creator God had the right to give and take life.
Creator God. Those were words not many in his circles commonly used together. However, it was a concept he had been introduced to when he had been part of the group connecting with the youth at Green Lake. Somehow, perhaps because he had always loved nature, what he understood as God revealed in the world, he had adopted the words as his own. Christians all understood God was the creator, but not all really paid that much attention to that role of his, that part of his make-up. Many in his home church were much more focussed on God’s role as Father perhaps.
He remembered how the native Christian elders had talked to them about how they had come to understand that their Creator God, the Great Spirit, had a Son who had come to earth to show humanity what he was really like, how they had perused the Bible to see what this was all about.
Finally, the ceremonies came to an end. Trevor stood up with his class as they all filed out. Some of his classmates were looking for family members who had come to see this momentous event in their childrens’ lives. His parents had not been able to make it, but he had assured them that was quite alright. He knew they were behind him in spirit and that was what counted.
Suddenly he was almost rubbing shoulders with Shannon McKay. He glanced sideways at her lovely long dark hair, falling over her slim rounded shoulders, coming to rest on her nicely developed breasts…
“Hi,” he said, somewhat shyly, “Feeling any different now?”
Shannon looked up at him, catching his eyes briefly before looking ahead again, “Well, it’s sinking in slowly. I know my parents are so proud of me.”
“Are they here?” asked Trevor sincerely.
“No, they couldn’t afford to make the trip down, although they would have loved to.”
“I kind of know how you feel; my parents aren’t here either.” Trevor noticed her full-bodied lips as she smiled at him in response. “You staying for the reception?”
“I don’t think so,” she said, “I’m just not into that kind of gathering that much.”
“Well, I guess we’ll meet for classes Monday then,” Trevor responded.
“Yeah, see you then,” Shannon replied, “Have a good weekend.”
Trevor fell back slightly and was watching her move ahead with the exiting throng when he heard his name being called. He turned to see Kenneth Roberts from his fourth year Biochemistry class.
“Hi Ken,” said, “Well, we’re finally here.”
“Whatcha upto?” Kenneth asked, ‘I don’t think I’m staying for the reception. Wanna go for a beer?”
“I think I’ll stay for a bit at least,” Trevor said, “Never know who you’ll meet.”
“Suite yourself,” Ken answered, Next time then.’
“Yeah,” Trevor replied, “See you Monday.”
“You bet,” Ken replied as he turned and headed for the exit.
Trevor looked around on the concourse surrounding the lecture theatre. There were some white linen-draped tables set up with the expected crackers, cheese, grapes and some apple slices. he noted with approval that there were even some plate with small square of sweets. He fingered the two tickets in his pocket and looked around for the drinks table. All of the students had been given complementary tickets for drinks.
Trevor was not much of a drinker. Indeed, he really knew little about all the different opportunities that might present themselves. He had just not grown up in that world where alcoholic beverages were part of the culture. However, the drinks were free and he reasoned this was a new world he was getting into and he might as well start learning now.
“What’ll you have?” the server asked as Trevor offered a ticket to him.
“I think I’ll just have a rum and coke,” he replied nonchalantly.
“White or dark?”
Oh, there were choices? What difference did it make? He’d have to keep this in mind.
“Ah, white,” he said, trying not to sound like he felt.
“Ice?”
“Sure, thanks.”
The waiter scooped a few ice cubes into a plastic disposable glass, measured the clear liquor into it, topped it with coke from a can and handed it to him.
“Thanks,” Trevor said and turned back to scan the cord for a familiar face as he took a sip. Hhmm, not bad he thought. He could feel the slight burn of the rum going down, but the coldness of the sweet coke helped temper that.
A tall balding gentleman approached him, drink in hand and smiled, “Well, how are you feeling?”
Trevor noted his nicely cut shirt and slacks. “I’m OK”, he responded.
“Yeah, we’ve all been there before,” the man replied, “At least those of us who are physicians. I’m Dr. Ron Baker.” He stretched out his free hand, “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Trevor said, “I’m Trevor Loewen.”
“Ah, Loewen,” Dr. Baker said, “Where’re you from?”
“New Hope.”
“Ok,” Dr. Baker seemed to be chewing on that a bit, “Mennonite?”
“Yes,” Trevor acknowledged, wondering where this was going.
“I won’t hold that against you,” chuckled Dr. Baker. “I’m actually an Alliance Church member.”
Trevor had heard that before and smiled back. But he was kind of amazed. Probably the last thing he had expected here was a conversation homing in on his faith.
Dr. Baker continued, “Just call me Ron. I make it a point to attend these events. Never know who you’ll meet. Someone who might need some support. Medicine is a great profession but nowadays it can sometimes be a bit rocky for students who try to adhere to a faith.”
“I’m actually a member of the Christian Medical Society,” Dr. Baker went on, ‘Ever heard of it?”
Trevor actually had not, “No,” he said, becoming a little intrigued.
“Well,” continued Dr. Baker, “It was something I found helpful when I was a student. We meet as a group of physicians, students and sometimes residents - although they get busy - usually in a graduate’s home, about once a month. You’d be welcome if you’re interested.”
Trevor was interested. This sounded like something that might e worthwhile checking out.
As if on cue, Dr. Baker broke in, “Here’s my card. Let me know when you’ve given it some though” and before Trevor could barely utter a “Thank you” Dr. Baker melted into the crowd. Probably looking for another candidate Trevor thought, immediately judging himself for that..
Trevor took another sip of his drink and turned towards the food tables where he caught sight of a knot of his former classmates and some new ones standing and talking. They greeted one another and engaged in the usual sort of small talk Trevor generally expected in these situations with people one did not really know. He picked up some cheese on a cracker.
Another older female approached the group. “Hi, I’m Dr. Evans”, she said, extending her hand. They all took her hand and introduced themselves.
“I will be your anatomy instructor,” Dr. Evans informed them. “I’ll tell you right now, it might not be what you are expecting. You’ve probably heard store of corpses and formaldehyde smell. Yes, we still do some of that. Mostly nowadays though, it’s all done on virtual models with computers. But I won’t spoil the fun by telling you all about it now,” she added brightly, “You’ll begin to find that all out in my classes next week. But tell me about yourselves; what brings you here?” She looked round expectantly.
Trevor breathed a sigh of relief internally when Alex from his Physiology class in third year answered first, “I really can’t answer for all of us but I think many of us, at least myself, are here because we want to do something to help our fellow man.”
“That’s true,” a student Trevor did not know but who had introduced himself as Nolan, continued, “but I’m also here because I’m interested in the research possibilities.”
“Ditto to all of the above,” a third student chimed in, “but I’m also interested in the bigger picture of public and even global health.”
“Wow,” Dr. Evans responded, “You guys are thinking ahead! That’s good, but don’t forget the basics as you said, she nodded in Alex’s direction. It’s easily enough done as you go through the years. Right now you’re probably thinking, how can that be, but I’m just sayin’ “ she smiled.
Trevor hung around for awhile, meeting a few students and other graduate doctors, some of whom would also be their instructors, nibbling a bit more form the food tables, but soon decided to leave.
He placed his now empty glass down on a tray let for that purpose along one wall and casually wandered through the now-thinning throng to the exit. Once outside in the sunny warmth of late August he took off his white jacket and slung it over his shoulder as he walked somewhat self-consciously to the parking lot and his car. He felt like a different person, embarking on a new chapter in his young life, but those he met on the sidewalk paid him no extra heed.
He pulled his old Civic out onto Notre Dame and headed east. One more free weekend at home before the real new world began.
“
