Graduation. The very last day of our two week orientation to the program Hundreds of people including the interns, were all formally invited to the Garrison banquet hall for the class of 2008 commencement.  This was an intimate and much anticipated event. People who have been with the program for 30 years or more were in attendance.  The printed programs at each seat featured the eight graduates. It was on reading this that it sunk in - we're all going to have to give speeches! Not tonight, not us anyway, but in three years we'll be the eight up there . 


 
    Excitement and terror came over me, again.  You would think that after two weeks I would have been used to it, but this was at a level I've seldom experienced.  Only once before, actually.  When getting my wife's engagement ring melted down to redesign it.  With the wedding date set in stone and empty-handed, the anticipation of those anxious days approached unbearable.  December's ceremony came and she had her ring, thank God, seeing it for the first time.  
     A three year horizon set, and I find myself with a familiar anticipation - having only raw materials and fear.  Community trains great Family doctors, as evident by this night.  As we interns take our first steps into the fire we see a glimpse of our refinement.  Surrounded by doctors who have gone through the program,  and those graduating on stage, is an immense encouragement.  

    
    For those of you looking into the program, which should be all of you, I will let you in on a little secret that may help postpone the inevitable.  THE FACULTY AND NURSING STAFF ARE TAKING NOTES. EVERYTHING YOU DO CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU AT THE ROAST  BEFORE GRADUATION.  Apparently they've already got a "pen incident" on me from my residency interview.