Today was my last day of medical school. After the completion of 90 weeks of clinical rotations and four semesters of medical science before that, I have completed the requisites to become a licensed physician. More importantly, it means that I am one step closer to being the man I have worked so hard to become. It has not always been easy, as I have struggled to be true to myself and the passion that led me down this path. Yet, it has been a wild adventure full of unbelievable experiences and I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity to be involved in the lives of so many people.

Without the support and care of many people, I would not have been able to weather this journey.

So without further ado, thank you:

– the patients who allowed me to participate in their care and engage in the art of medicine

– the physicians, nurses, and other medical staff who took a minute (or an hour) to teach me how to practice medicine, both the science behind it and its application to patient care

– the faculty and staff at Ross University who helped educate me in the necessary medical knowledge to make a difference in the lives of countless patients

– Will and Emily Bett, my brother and sister, for their incessant support of my journey over the past four and a half years

– Brooke and Jeremiah Redmond, who made me feel comfortable in nYc and whose ever-present encouragement in my pursuit of becoming a physician helped me overcome times of self-doubt

– the clients and staff at The Wellmet Project, who provided the initial spark to my passion

– Brendan Keleher, the Rajon Rondo to my Kevin Garnett, and my best friend throughout this incredible experience

– Matt and Joanna Masterson, who made me a part of their incredible family with whom I could spend my final months as a medical student

– Wacky Matt, Juice, and Rustang, members of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and providers of countless hours of pleasure during our monumental group texts, and for being such great friends for the past 15 years; Oxford Circus (Re)Unite!

– My Cincinnati Brothers Gib, Wade, Hoj, and JDawg, for always making me feel like I was doing something important and worthwhile

– The A-team: jRitch, aStolt, and BK, for being my best friends in medical school, during the good times and the bad, and helping me survive a place we called Dominica

– Tara Harrington, my surrogate sister, whose strength and pride always makes me feel purposeful and fortunate

– Samantha Lampert, for being the first person to believe in me, my passion, and my goals

– Ashley Bogosian, for reminding me that the courage to do what is right, in the face of strict opposition, is still always right

– Gabe Griffin and Sona Chikarmane, for inviting me into their home on numerous occasions and being incredible friends

– Marv, Lissa, and Zachary Alexander, my brother from another mother, his incredible wife, and ridiculously handsome son

– Scott Smith, Hallison Putnam, Anirban Sensarma, Chris Miller, Satrajit Bose, Chris “Beeker” Adams, Eva Koutalianos, Lisbet Suarez, Alexis Svokos, and Andrew Weinberg… amazing friends from different stages of my life, who have supported me in their own ways and made me a better person, and I believe, a better physician.

To those of you who might read this and perhaps were not mentioned, you too have played a role in helping me to become someone whom I hope you are proud of.

Thank you.