Celebration Banquets

Graduation time is nearing, so lots of congratulations and farewells are in order. Cody and some of his classmates were the guests of honor at two banquets recently. Two weeks ago, we attended the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) Senior Banquet. This group provides several ways for students to learn how to integrate their Christian values into their career as a doctor. Cody attended devotional lunch sessions and "Ground Rounds", a small group meeting at Starbucks once a month where medical ethics are discussed with a Christian point of view. They served dinner and had a guest speaker, and then gave each graduating student a Doctor's Bible engraved with their name and a book. They concluded the banquet by having the almost-doctors-to-be and the practicing doctors recite the Christian Doctor's Oath.

This past week, we went to the Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Banquet. Cody was involved with this group throughout his four years as a medical student: M1 representative, President, and founder of the FMIG Journal Club. Once again, we were served dinner at the banquet and we listened to a guest speaker. The FMIG advisor, Dr. Schmidt, spoke about each graduate and gave them a personalized paperweight. (Cody will probably get me for sharing this, but being a proud wife, I have to share what Dr. Schmidt said about Cody!) Dr. Schmidt started off by saying that she would have saved Cody for last, even if he hadn't of already been last by default (she called the graduates in alphabetical order, according to their last name). She noted that Cody knew from the time he entered medical school that he wanted to be a family doctor, that he understood what Family Medicine was about, and that he was the biggest proponent for Family Medicine. She said if she knew how to sew, she would have made him a cape, as she jokes that he is the Superhero of Family Medicine! I was so proud of him!

Cody and Mel


Kelley and Phil


The Guys


All of the Graduates


Kelley, Phil, Josh, Becky, Mel, and Cody