From Rejection to Resilience: When I first walked into the emergency department at Aga Khan University Hospital as a new emergency medicine (EM) resident, it felt like stepping into a storm. The organized chaos, the rapid-fire decisions, the relentless hum of machines and alarms—it was overwhelming. More so because my journey there hadn’t been smooth.
I’d faced rejection the year before. It stung. It made me question myself. Some even subtly suggested I might be better suited for another specialty. And yet, I stood there—determined not to let that rejection define me.
Growing Through Doubt
Setbacks can either defeat us or drive us. I chose the latter.
Fueled by determination and the quiet conviction that I belonged in emergency medicine, I leaned into the discomfort. I reminded myself of why I chose this path in the first place: to be the calm in someone’s storm, the voice of clarity in the blur of crisis.
Imposter syndrome showed up early and often. And it felt sharper because I was already carrying the weight of that initial rejection. But I didn’t hide from it. I embraced the messiness of growth.
I asked questions—even when I felt I should already know the answers. I practiced procedures long after others had left. I found mentorship in attendings who saw something in me I was still learning to see in myself. Slowly, something shifted. The whirlwind that once knocked me off balance started to feel like home.
From Learner to Leader
By the time I reached my final year, I had the privilege of serving as chief resident—a role that was equal parts honor and trial by fire. I learned how to lead under pressure, how to advocate for others, and how to keep my team grounded during our toughest shifts.
It wasn’t just my clinical skills that evolved. I grew into someone who could lift others, not just myself. That year taught me how to lead not from a place of certainty, but from a place of empathy, humility, and experience.
Where I’ve Always Belonged
From Rejection to Resilience: Now, as I leave residency behind and step fully into my role as an emergency physician, the badge may have changed—but the mission hasn’t.
This isn’t a new beginning. It’s a return.
A return to the heart of the ER—the place where adrenaline meets purpose. The place where voices still echo, “ER staff and doctors, attend resus room.” The place where I’ve found my calling.
I don’t walk into the emergency department as the unsure intern I once was. I walk in carrying the lessons of rejection, the strength of resilience, and the quiet pride of having earned every scar along the way.
Because for me, this is more than a job.
This is where I come alive.
Call to Action
If you’re a medical student, resident, or physician navigating your own storm—don’t carry it alone. Share your story, connect with mentors, and join communities that believe in supporting the whole physician. The road is hard, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
➡️ Explore more physician voices at StanfordPhysicianAdvocate.org
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