On Becoming the "Good Physician": Lessons from a Commencement Address

In May 2026, the author was honored to serve as a medical school commencement speaker. It coincided with the 40th anniversary of her own medical school graduation. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect. The author offered the graduates four insights ("Pearls"): (1) Practicing medicine is a privilege and a responsibility; (2) Physicians must embrace the uncertainty in medicine; (3) Physicians must be open to change; and (4) Every clinical encounter is an ethical encounter. Within each pearl, she emphasized how the graduates can only succeed by being present, expressing curiosity and humility, and by embracing the ethical foundation of the doctor-patient relationship. That is the essence of good doctoring.