I awake very excited. Today I am giving Grand Rounds at my alma mater – the institution formerly known as MCV (now VCU school of medicine).
While you cannot go home, you can relive memories. I got a wonderful clinic education as a medical student and resident. MCV gave me a chance to be an adolescent and a young adult. After 12 years on the faculty I had an opportunity that led to my career at UAB. But MCV molded me.
I had dinner last night with the 4 chief medical residents. We spent much time discussing careers. One asked me if I had made mistakes and if I had any regrets. I have made mistakes, but at least they were excellent ones. I have no regrets.
Of course, I wish I knew then what I know now. But I suspect most 60-year-old men have that wish. I could have done a bit more, but perhaps not that much.
So today I will meet the next generation at my alma mater, and I will visit with old friends. I will talk about pharyngitis at the site of my original research and tell the story of how I got lucky and did a study that shaped my career.
But most of all, for 1 day I will come home again. Take that Thomas Wolfe!
