When people think of graduations they usually expect caps, gowns and a long (boring) ceremony. IU's Neurosurgery Residency program skips the typical in favor of its owntraditions. The morning of graduation there's The Campbell Open, a golf outing pitting the
residents against the attendings. The evening of graduation there is a dinner hosted by the
department at beautiful Crooked Stick Country Club. Dan was the only graduate this year (some years there are two) so the night of June 13 was his.
Keep in mind that I prefer to have a cocktail in my hand during Dan's work-related dinners because I find making conversation with some of the neurosurgeons, well, this side of terrifying. Pregnancy forced me to attend this year's dinner with nothing but a goblet of ice water and you know what? It was FUN! Of course I'm very biased, but here's my take.
The chairman of the department (Dr. Nelson) introduced Dan, talking about Dan's life and achievements. He also presented Dan with (among other things) the traditional caricature made by the medical illustrations department. Dr. Nelson said wonderful, complimentary things. I am always relaxed when he's at the mike. The residency director, Dr. Shapiro, annually turns this dinner into a roast - something that sends me running to the bar most years. Dan's love of Guitar Hero and Star Wars were among this year's themes. I'm happy to report that Dr. Shapiro's comments were well-edited for Emma and Daniel's ears. Believe me, I was sweating bullets during that speech.
Dan, knowing that Dr. Shapiro would (mercilessly) lampoon him, came armed. For weeks (months?) Dan worked on a short film entitled Diary of a Neurosurgeon. It featured Dan as narrator (doing a FABULOUS impersonation of Dr. Shapiro) and several co-conspirators, including Dr. Shapiro's wife Colleen. It earned lots of laughs and a standing ovation, which was fun to catch on video. Dan doesn't have a copy in Texas but I may just burn one for him to watch when he's having a lousy day. Dan finished the evening with a speech - one that I'll always hold close to my heart.
Just a funny aside, Dan arrived early to set up his laptop to be certain that his movie would work. He had everything situated when somehow it was all unplugged (not that Dr. McCanna would know anything about that) and then nothing would work right. For, oh, 15 minutes every neurosurgeon in the room gathered in a group around the computer equipment, trying in vain to get things going again. The pondering, the tinkering, the furrowing of brows and scraching of heads struck me as entertaining, considering what this group does for a living every day. Finally, one of the residents' wives (go Jennifer!) walked over, fixed the video problem, and quietly walked back to her seat. Then, when there was still no sound, Dan's sister Jodi (a high school English teacher) pointed out that - you guessed it - the speaker wasn't plugged in.
I loved it.
Those of us who aren't neurosurgeons in this life just might have a shot...
So to quote Dr. Payner, how many neurosurgeons does it take to fix a computer? Seven or eight...plus two smart women who know how to fix the computer.
It's safe to say that most of us don't have the chance to hear so many people say such kind things about us while we're still alive. People said things about Dan (and he, in turn, said things about me) that most of us would be lucky to have said at our funerals. Dan was so glad to have his parents and sister present to enjoy the festivities. I was happy (again, very biased) because I think he deserved every good and kind thing that was said. He's worked really hard for many years. Who doesn't like to hear that they've done a great job, especially when the compliments came from those he respects so much?
Graduation happens every year. Every year I'm staggered by the achievement that a neurosurgery resident has accomplished. 2009's graduation, though, will be the one that Team Fulkerson will always remember. Great job, Dan! We're so proud of you!
No comments:
Post a Comment