A platform that encourages healthy conversation, spiritual support, growth and fellowship
NOLACatholic Parenting Podcast
A natural progression of our weekly column in the Clarion Herald and blog
The best in Catholic news and inspiration - wherever you are!
-
February 7, 2019By Anne Alexander, Guest Column, Clarion Herald
Pursuing a career in the medical field has always been a goal of mine ever since I was a young girl. The thought of helping those in need or even saving a life has been an ambition of mine that I hope to achieve someday.
Having attended a Catholic school my whole life, my faith has always played a major role in how I treat others and the decisions I make on an everyday basis. Recently, I was given the opportunity to attend a lecture given by three medical professionals: Dr. Brian Credo, a pediatric and adolescent specialist and associate professor of clinical pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine; Dr. Madeleine Guerin, a pediatric specialist; and Marie Adorno, Ph.D., RNC, assistant director of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Program and assistant professor of clinical nursing.The three professionals shared how their faith has impacted their careers in the medical field. Sharing how their faith intersects with their professional lives supports Dominican’s Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math™ initiative that integrates the study of science and religion. My favorite part of the discussion was when the panelists shared with us the oaths they took upon graduating from medical school and nursing school.
They noted that the oaths are infused with Catholic values. Credo, Guerin and Adorno stressed that the compassion, empathy and faith that we gain from our Catholic education affect how we interact with others. The stories they told us reminded me never to give up on my faith and that it only gets stronger with persistence.
From a student’s perspective, I enjoyed the medical panel because they were very informative about their specialty and not ashamed to stand up for what they believed in. This reassured me that my faith is not something that dissolves after high school, but can be used in the future to assist those in need of help.
Anne Alexander is a senior at St. Mary’s Dominican High School in New Orleans.
