On morning rounds, there have been those times when an attending physician, a resident, and sometimes even a patient, has made a comment or gesture that rendered me breathless. After the initial shock waned, I would take a cursory glance at my colleague’s faces to see if they were experiencing aftershocks as well. Clearing my throat, to conceal a mounting laugh, has saved me, many a time. Thankfully, there are those rotations in which wearing facial gear is required: a smile can literally be masked. Very often, the medical professional requires its workers to be stoic.

The serious nature of healthcare almost dictates that emotions are limited. However, when a nerve is struck and a smile begins to develop, the mastery or subduing this presents a challenge. Showing too much teeth could be perceived as a lack of seriousness, or worse, a lack of professionalism. For now, I have learned to do something that media mogul Tyra Banks begs the contestants on “America’s Next Top Model” to do: I smile with my eyes.

✅ Request information on AUA's MD program TODAY!

YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS BEGINS HERE

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

by Chinwe Okeke, Class of 2011

✅ Request information on AUA's MD program TODAY!

YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS BEGINS HERE

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.