Faizah Shareef, (MED’21)

Faizah Shareef, (MED’21)What is special to you about BUSM?It’s, quite frankly, the people. From the beautiful humans that bring medicine to life to the incredible patients that bring the purpose. I have met some of the most genuine, talented, and passionate clinicians and colleagues here; ones who challenge me to be the best version of myself. I have met patients who with their stories, shape my practice, humble my ego, and make me realize my unique and blessed position to be part of their lived experience.

How do you spend downtime or what do you do for wellness?
I try to block out time to spend with those that I love, whether it be a phone call on my way back home or MFA adventures trying to find all the interestingly depicted renaissance babies. Trust me, there are many of them.

I also enjoy spending time alone, through dance parties for one in my apartment (sorry persons who live below me) or CrossFit (which I may or may not talk about ad nauseam). Last but not least, the real things that fill my cup right up are writing and spending exorbitant amounts of time on Yelp. So if you need to know the 3rd review about a random ramen spot in Woburn, I can help.

Most memorable patient interaction?
There was a patient who was flown into our ICU due to sepsis. Every biomarker showed multi-organ failure. But beyond the lab numbers, I wanted to know his story. I learned that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and turned to substance use early on. He became estranged from his family but was trying to seek help. He lived in a group home but unfortunately slipped, leading him to us. His family did not respond when we called. Then, he coded. As I stood over his body compressing his chest, I felt time stand still as he took his final breath. It was then I realized we would be the only people, mere strangers, to share his last, most vulnerable moment on this planet. When you see that finality of death for the first time, something inside you changes. I will never forget that experience.

What has been an unexpected experience or revelation?
I have realized that I just needed to say I was in medical school for people to begin asking for medical advice. Ever since I started at BUSM, I have been solicited for my expert opinion on everything from ‘what is this rash on my pinky finger’ to ‘how do you think my poop looks?’ I have also been inappropriately considered ‘the doctor’ in the room in situations that might require CPR when I’m pretty sure I was always putting on my stethoscope all wrong. But with some years under my belt, I surprisingly have gotten better at answering those questions with some accuracy and feeling more comfortable with that responsibility. Who would have thought going to medical school would prepare you to be a doctor? Only thing I request, is just don’t ask me about glycolysis.

What unexpected challenges have you faced as a medical student and how’d you overcome them?
It’s a lot more work than I thought it would be, beyond the realm of textbooks. As a physician, you have such a unique position and civic duty in someone’s life. You provide someone the opportunity to unburden themselves with you and help them navigate some of the most delicate decisions. I never understood the weight of that responsibility until I came to medical school and it has been quite a challenge becoming comfortable with that. Patients have shared so many emotional and moving stories about their lives with me, even as a medical student. But I remind myself why I decided to do this and find a way to reflect daily. It really has helped mold who I have become through medical school and informs how I want to practice as a future physician.