Hang on, the White Coats are coming!
By
Gerry Niskern
Arizona has a shortage of at least 700 doctors right now. Anyone who has waited at a doctor’s office lately knows this. The trend in the last few years has been for the best college graduates to go into the financial world. But It takes the best, brightest and most compassionate of young people to choose medicine. And that’s just what some 200 -plus did yesterday when Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine awarded them their White Coats. The coat is awarded at the beginning of their studies in medical school.
The White Coat ceremony is fairly new in medicine. It was started in l989 at the University of Chicago school of medicine, and spread across the country . The shortest white coat is worn by the students, the next longer is worn by those in their residency and the longer by the specialists.
Last night my only great-granddaughter was among this group taking part in this “rite of passage”. It was a huge event in their lives. They have graduated college, passed the MCAT and are ready for the hard work that it takes to become a physician.
I’m here to tell you my great-granddaughter has been up for the challenge of hard work. Among many jobs in her young life she also worked as an EMT during college. And, she’s definitely had the compassion trait covered. I always have to smile when I remember being accidently knocked to the floor during a lively game by her brother and her, at age three, declaring, “I hope you’re happy. You just killed an old lady!”
The dean of the Osteopathic College spoke to the class about the amazing journey they were beginning when their White Coat was put on their shoulders by a member of the faculty. “ Your White Coat is a symbol of respect . It is also a sign of the respect you will show your patients. “ She reminded them that they should always be advocates for their patients. She went on to say, “You presence in their lives means a great deal to them, but also to their families.”
She talked to the students about the support and encouragement they had received in the years on their the journey to this point. Speaking directly to the families and friends she said, “ I ask you to continue your support during the stressful time and to try to understand those periods.”
My great-granddaughter’s future looks bright and promising in her White Coat.
So, hold on everyone. She’s on her way!

Who is that stranger in my living room?
By
Gerry Niskern
Lately, when I turn the corner into my living room I’m startled to see another person there! I have a new really large flat screen TV and it’s taking some getting used to. It’s fooled me more than once.
When I think back decades ago when my dad brought home our first television set, I have to laugh at how far we have come. He couldn’t wait to get one as soon as television was available in Phoenix. It was a little twelve inch and we gathered around in the evening to watch the only thing showing, wrestling. And most of the time they were midgets doing the take downs , but we were enthralled The neighbors came over to check out this wonderful new form of entertainment. The station played the national anthem at midnight and TV was over for the day.
When some of the comedians from radio started appearing on the tube, my dad was a big fan; especially of “Uncle Miltie”, Milton Beryl. The only harsh words between my parents that I remember were exchanged when mom wanted the Christmas tree brought in and set up and dad was not about to do it because his favorite show was starting. No taping back then.
Years later, when Ken and I were newlyweds and our money was tight, my young husband wanted to sign up to buy on time a “build your own” television set. The price was three hundred dollars! We paid it out each month and they sent him another part. We used that little TV for the next three years. In our first home It was placed in the corner where two low bookcases came together. That arrangement would have been fine except that baby son # 1 insisted on climbing up over the bookcase shelves to get down in back of the “open” TV set to check out his dad’s work, but I was terrified of the open electronic danger.
Soon our TV sets became bigger, enclosed in cabinets of course. My little daughter loved Romper Room and By that time my two toddlers were joined by #2 son and they all enjoyed American Band Stand and Wallace and ladmo. Their TV viewing was limited, of course, but when they became teenagers, they wanted one show and their dad wanted another, usually the news or an educational documentary. No one dreamed of owning two television sets!
I enjoyed watching Monday night football with Ken in later years, but my first love was the tennis tournaments. Then as time went by and TVs have come and gone, along with my eyesight. I returned to reading. It wasn’t fun to watch sports when you couldn’t see the scores and other important graphics. Then one day my grandson was looking at my small set and asked me why I didn’t get a big, flat screen. He said, “I can find you one at a good price. They are always on sale in the fall”. We talked price and he arrived the following weekend, along with his son to put a big 75” on the wall and do all the setting up.
I just watched the Women’s US Open championship this afternoon and it was wonderful.
Now if I can just keep from being startled by that stranger in my living room!