A Psychiatrist's New Season

COMMENTARY

Today marks a new season for me as I transition to a new chapter in my career. The last 7 years as an inpatient psychiatrist have been filled with growth in the form of leadership, stewardship, and mentorship.

I feel blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to the education of medical students and residents. There is nothing more gratifying than to see them thrive throughout their journey. I am also appreciative of my colleagues and friends who have stood in solidarity with me with throughout the joys and storms of health care. Thank you to my patients, who help remind me to appreciate the power of narratives.

I look forward to continuing to sow seeds of hope and advocacy as I enter the space of outpatient psychiatry.

Here is a poem that encapsulates my reflections:

A wonderful waltz

Four seasons of constant growth

Endless memories

Dr Clark is an outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. He served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, and he currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion section editor and advisory board member for Psychiatric Times^TM.