Faith and Medicine: Week One

                When someone asks what my major is (Pre-health and Theology), my response is often received with a look of bewilderment and a remark to the effect of, “don’t those contradict each other?” Sometimes I have the chance to kindly explain that no, I believe theology and the physical sciences compliment each other, such that my understanding of the human person is more complete having studied both. If their interest has not wavered by this point, I might add that theology, which is defined as “faith seeking understanding”, encourages new knowledge and understanding in any field, even the sciences. I believe that studying leads to understanding, which leads us to the truth, which in turn leads us to God, because “God is the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

                  Before coming to Notre Dame, I had never taken a formal Theology course and had no thoughts of majoring in Theology. Fortunately, I took my first theology course as a first-semester freshman and found myself gravitating towards the subject matter. Amidst the demands of general chemistry and adjusting to life in college, I recall thinking any time I spend learning about God has a purpose and is worth my time. Although I initially declared Psychology and Pre-Health as my majors, I was just three days into my sophomore year when I knew something was missing. I knew that college was the time to ask big questions and ponder topics that have no black and white answers. I felt that in order to receive the well-rounded education I desired, I should delve into a field that involved less memorization and more synthesis of themes. I have been happy with my decision ever since.

                  Perhaps the most prominent instance of overlap between my studies in theology and pre-medicine was in a course I took last spring, entitled Spiritualities of Caring in the Helping Professions, taught by Dr. Dominic Vachon. We were honored to hear ten care providers speak about their personal spiritualities of caring. This course was incredibly relevant and shaped how I envision incorporating my faith into my practice of medicine. Allow me to share a few salient points that I took away from this course.

·             Compassion transcends religion.

·             Informed by the course, my definition of spirituality: the inner component of the lived human experience, which infiltrates all areas of a person’s life and gives meaning to it all.

o   While not everyone uses the same language to describe what gives them meaning, purpose, and joy, all human beings are capable of cultivating these things, which is a person’s spirituality.

·             A spirituality of caring, specifically, allows care providers to encounter the sacred in their work. When a care provider has a spirituality of caring, even without necessarily articulating it, he or she has the ability to be engaged with, but not burdened by, patients’ suffering.

·             Praying the work: a phrase first introduced to me by Dr. Paul Wright in 2013. This concept is the answer to my question, “How can I incorporate faith into medicine?” This is a field in which I will consistently encounter opportunities to emulate Jesus’ love. When we live from a place of prayer, recognizing each person’s dignity and recognizing our dependence on God, compassion flows naturally into our work.

By cultivating spirituality, becoming more in tune with the sacred in this world, we gain perspective. In the process of discerning my career path, a friend reminded me that I am defined by God’s love above all. Before I am “Brooke the physician” I am “Brooke, child of God.” The moment I lose sight of this reality, I risk defining myself by the success of my treatments for patients or by the role I assume in society. Successful treatment will certainly be important to me, but my faith reminds me that I am not God, and therefore sometimes my work will not be enough.

I choose to enter the medical field because I believe God calls us to leave the place where we feel comfortable and bring His love and compassion to the places that need it most. I don’t doubt that I will be discouraged, disheartened, and challenged at times to maintain hope in the medical field. After all, I don’t think anyone has ever used the word “easy” to describe the healthcare professions.  However, I feel that my education in Theology and Pre-Health at Notre Dame is God’s way of equipping me to go out and show others the love that I receive from my relationship with Christ.  

Brooke is a Senior Theology and Pre-Health major from San Diego, CA. She feels honored to serve as Co-President of the Compassionate Care in Medicine this year, and also volunteers at Memorial Hospital and has been involved in Campus Ministry in a variety ways. Brooke has applied to both MD and DO programs, and hopes to begin medical school after graduation.