One year ago, I interviewed Nmeli Anene, whose story was the first to be shared on SAPP. Nmeli was in my small group starting week 1 of medical school and I thought that I knew her pretty well. Throughout the year, I learned some about her time at Duke and her family and of course I knew that she was a fantastic singer from the times our group was lucky enough to hear her mumble a tune. I started the phone call interview nervous and excited and was blown away by the time I hung up- blown away by her story, her songwriting, and by how much I had yet to learn from someone I sat next to week after week.
It was funny. I spent all year learning how to interview a patient, trying to connect the dots and asking questions to check off boxes or rule out differential diagnoses, but my interview with Nmeli was a first for me. Instead of asking formulaic questions and listening for buzzwords, I asked her questions out of curiosity and I heard her.
This first interview proved to be the mission of SAPP and it carries over in my life, my work, and my relationships. I slow down a bit and I listen a little better. I step out of my comfort zone more often. I appreciate the vulnerability it takes to share a story more.
SAPP wouldn’t be here without our fantastic team (which has recently grown!) and our mentor, Dr. Amita Shah. They have helped me answer tough questions, provided endless support, and are constantly working to learn more, understand more, and connect more. I can’t wait to hear and share the stories that are to come. To another year of SAPP!
Story: Claire Schenken, Photo: Sujaan Lal