Thread by @gradydoctor

1/
At @EmoryMedicine, our curriculum includes a 4-year longitudinal connection of 8-9 classmates assigned to one faculty advisor in “small groups.”

I’ve been an SG advisor since 2007 and it has been—hands down—one of the most rewarding things of my career.

Like, for real.

2/
Every other year since ‘07, I’ve been assigned a new small group.

Yup.

It’s sooo cool to meet them on their first day of Med school and then get to hood them on their last day! (My commencement tears have become legendary.)

Ha.

3/
Yesterday, I got to welcome my 8TH small group to our SG fam. And I swear, y’all. It’s like anticipating a new baby coming.

Here’s why:

Because now I know what can unfold over these years. Not just in medical school but beyond. It’s sooo magical.

4/
So fun fact:

My first SG dubbed themselves “Small Group ALPHA.” Since then, we’ve just stuck with the Greek alphabet to name each new group. (It’s been a great way to keep track of the generations.)

Mm hmmmm.

5/
When I imagine all that this family has meant to each other? I cry. (What a shock!😂) The connection remains.

Yup.

Long after training, the family remains. The text threads are still active. The bond is forever.

Le sigh.

6/
And what’s cool is that there are 16 groups led by 16 faculty every year. And YES. We do get sufficient protected time to pour into these students.

We sure do. Which is huge.

Man. I wish I’d had something like this as a student. It’s a game changer.

7:
And so. Allow me to introduce you to the newest members of the #SGManning family:

Small Group Theta!

Oh. And if you are looking at these photos and wondering if all of this is as special as it looks? The answer is YES.💙👊🏽

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