Remembering Molly Anonymous

“Let’s get out of here, just you and me.”

This is what Molly, my friend, whispered to me one afternoon as she awoke from an “in-and-out” nap, as she likes to call it. Molly is a 90-something year old hospice patient who is wrapped in dementia and a bright blue blanket she crocheted some time before. She and I reminisce after I reintroduce myself every time I visit her in her nursing home.

She has taught me that the needy men and women of Philadelphia are not just imaginary or characters in my own life’s movie. By her vulnerability, Molly has reminded me that service can be taxing and sometimes thankless, but that it is nonetheless life giving and a worthy effort. As a volunteer, I have had the beautiful opportunity to spend time with people like Molly who are in need of “for person work.” I have developed an ease of conversation and sensitive interest in the security and well being of others.

But I believe that in medicine, my ability to communicate with people in need will be most greatly put to use. Problem solving in the hospital bedroom has been an enlightening and enjoyable experience that I have transferred to other clinical and classroom situations. I have become interested in the challenges presented to physician...