He said, she said

Picture from Sandra Sunnyo Lee

This is a tale of a HE and a SHE who did things differently but ended up teaching me some of the greatest lessons in life.

She was a developmental pediatrician. He was a surgeon. They couldn't be more different than day and night.

She has a ready smile for everyone and encouraging words to students (despite your hanging off the cliff grades). When your answer is wrong, she'd make it look like, it's the right answer to the wrong question.

He, on the other hand, is known for his off-topic 'kwentong barbero' lectures, the Merry Go Rounds (this is what we call his teaching rounds during our Clerkship surgery rotation) and knack for embarrassing you in front of an entire room of patients (and relatives), with or without your consent.

She was a mentor. He was a tormentor.

She taught Ethics and Microbiology. He taught what else but surgery?

She was uber nice. He was ... indescribable.

She taught me that being a physician starts with patient care. Do what your conscience tells you. Get your way with people by being the best person you can be. Doing what's right and what's proper will make you a great physician.

He, on the other hand, taught me that this is dog-eat-dog world. No once gets to the top by simply being nice. Watch your back. Be tough. Be ready -- be it in teaching rounds, a surgery, or life in general. Not being ready might cause you a patient's life.

She's a Yin. He's a Yang. Just the perfect combination of a mentor and a tormentor to teach me about surviving this complicated profession, and a more complicated life, outside it.

Thanks to Drs. Cielo B. Malijan and Harry Go. You might not know it, but you taught me valuable lessons in life. Thanks.

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This is my contribution for The Blog Rounds, 9th ed, being hosted by PinayMegaMom.
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