Golden Glimmers are a way for GHHS Members to express themselves, and at the same time, stay connected with their GHHS peers! Staff will periodically request themed submissions in the form of art, writing, photos, and more. We will share a selection on our website and social media pages. Our second Golden Glimmers theme request photo submissions that elicited feelings of joy, resilience, or passion.
Below is our gallery of submissions with the inclusion of photos ranging from vast landscapes, fond family memories, the joys of children and pets, and more.
We are grateful to our members for helping to spread positivity through these photographs.
Learn more about Golden Glimmers, and check out the first Golden Glimmers project, which gathered advice for new medical students in the form of haiku.
During an away rotation in rural Kentucky I happened upon this abandoned coal mining facility. Many of my patients dealt with health complications related to mining. This picture inspires me and evokes feelings of compassion by reminding me of my patients’ resilience in the face of hard physical labor and economic uncertainty in a constantly changing political environment. Submitted by Mr.Rollin Cook
Another 14,000 foot summit in Colorado. Needed a few stitches when I got home after slicing my leg on a rock. But the summit views made every arduous step well worth the hike.Submitted by David Cantu, University of Colorado.
Submitted by Paresh Jaini, Resident Physician, John Peter Smith Hospital–Travels to Greece to celebrate graduation from medical school.
Morning in Torres del Paine, Chile, submitted by Jorge Rosario, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.
When I think of joy, I think of time with my family in nature. This photo is from our first weekend backpacking with our toddler – a task we thought may be impossible, yet we persisted, hiked, camped, and had some amazing camp-food miles out in the wilderness. Anything is possible with a little commitment & a fun-loving attitude! Submitted by Austin Oslock, The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
A day after the parking lot was paved, I noticed the green blades of grass, broken and bruised, pushing through the dark tar and reaching up towards the sun. I found this plant inspiring. May we never stop pushing through the challenges of life and may we embrace the obstacles of life as stepping stones towards the revelation of our resilience and our greatness. Submitted by Mawusi Kamassah, Medical Student, Medical College of Wisconsin.
This photo was taken in May 2018 and was a very proud moment for my siblings and I, as it was our mother’s graduation. My mom has been a single parent and sacrificed to ensure that her children were always provided for, so much so that I am a first generation college graduate, and soon to be first physician. She still holds that determination to be the best example she can be, and although she is the mother of three, she has shown great determination in pursuing her dreams. Mas Vale Tarde Que Nunca (Better late than never!). My mom is a true example of perseverance! Submitted by Chanelle Benjamin, Indiana University SOM.
Submitted by Maya Ayoub, Brown University.
This photo was taken in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Seidman Park. During one of my busy audition rotation rotations of 4th year, I took the time to explore the surrounding area and reinvigorate myself with some nature. It was beautiful being surrounded by trees (a rarity in the hot climate of Phoenix, AZ), with the gentle pitter-patter of rain pouring down. Submitted by Starr Matsushita.
“Rainbow follows rain in the Phoenix desert.” Submitted by Howard Silverman, Professor, Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Family & Community Medicine, and Bioethics & Medical Humanism, The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
“Pets remind us to take a step back and enjoy the simple things in life. Loki and I went on this hike and his energy was refreshing. I think this picture is a reminder to enjoy the journey, as well as the destination.” Submitted by Fred Gonzales, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Tranquility – sunset from back porch, submitted by Suzanne Leonard Harrison, Professor and Director of Clinical Programs, Florida State University College of Medicine.
“The 3 sisters in Monument Valley. They stand tall after the test of time and they remind me of my two sisters. I’m the oldest of three girls, and we act as each other’s rocks” Submitted by Anna van Venrooy, Temple University School of Medicine.
“I took this photo when I was on an away and trying to keep my mental health up while far away from home and my support systems. One way I do this is to literally “stop and smell the roses.”” Submitted by Natalie Spiller, University of Louisville.
This photo was taken near Mount Evans in Colorado during my first Internal Medicine away rotation as a fourth year! Thankful for this moment God gave me. ———————————————————————— Tree pose ( #vriksasana ) symbolizes patience, standing firm in times of change, and growing from within. Reflecting a little more on this one, for me it also encompasses an idea of being grounded, and with a lifted, open heart and clear eyes focused on the best being yet to come! Submitted by Elizabeth Rowland, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.
This is a photo of my brother and I on the top of Pyramid Peak (14,026′). In the background are the Maroon Bells, which are two well-known mountains outside of Aspen, Colorado. This photo of my brother and I epitomizes several of my passions in life outside of medicine. Submitted by Taylor Lynch, MS4, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
I am currently spending a year in Barcelona doing research at a children’s hospital. My friend and I visited Switzerland last weekend, where I took this picture of the Lavaux Vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva. Submitted by Stephanie Hadley, Vanderbilt University.
After finishing Step 2 CK and before the rush of aways and ERAS, I took a kayak into the middle of the lake with my roommates and reflected on how happy I was to be right there in that very moment. My favorite memory of Summer 2018! Submitted by Nichole Ogojiaku, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Sunset after a dust storm and rain shower, submitted by Kelly Bennett, Texas Tech University School of Medicine
An aerial adventure in the Adirondack mountain range. Submitted by Iqra Akram, medical student, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
While preparing my residency application, I was moved to reach out to a patient I’d met during my third-year medicine rotation. He’d left such an impression that I’d written about him in my personal statement. He had been recently diagnosed with lymphoma, but despite the toll that chemotherapy took on him, he never missed an opportunity to give thanks and a smile. His wife answered the phone when I called, and told me that he had passed just a month before. He was buried in Punchbowl Cemetery, a veterans’ memorial nestled in a crater in the heart of Honolulu. It is just a short walk from my house, so I visited him soon after on one of my weekend walks. One day quite recently, I noticed a faint rainbow that seemed to emanate from the crater, and I thought of him instantly. The longer I looked, the brighter the rainbow shone. It lengthened, arced across the sky, finally generating a second refraction, a double rainbow. I will forever be grateful for the mark he left on this world, and on me. Submitted by Emily Jones, University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Conquering mountains, whatever they may be! (Pictured: Dr. Carolyn Emerson on the right and me on the left), Submitted by Dr. Julia Reid,Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children.
“Dhaka” Submitted by Dr.David Sachar, Mount Sinai.
On my journey to become a physician, I found it very easy to get caught up with the busy daily tasks and sometimes even lose sight of my purpose as I try to keep my head above the water during intern year. Taking walks in the nature and opening my eyes to its beauty refreshes my heart and mind, and it fills me with appreciation for every breath I get to take, for every beautiful thing I get to see, for every patient I get to serve. Submitted by Angela Rabelhofer, Loma Linda University Health.
Determined to Kayak, submitted by Sarah Kurian, Resident, UMKC
Bluebirds in love. Taken last spriong in Farragut State Park, Idaho, submitted by Carey Chisholm, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Medicine
Winter solitude on Priest Lake, Idaho, submitted by Carey Chrisholm, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Medicine.
autumn colors, submitted by Carey Chrisholm, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Medicine.
Enjoying a half-day of resident wellness doing yoga at the beach. When the days are long and tough I can take a deep breath and have this beautiful view to remember. Resident wellness is a passion of mine and I hope for a future in which all residents in each corner of the country can enjoy a half-day of wellness too! Submitted by Al Cesarz, University of California San Diego.
This was each participant’s first time riding tandem, and the participant in the back’s first time ever riding a bike. Their bravery expressed on their faces shows the transition from fear to focus to joy and pride after successfully balancing on their first tandem bike ride. After this moment, they took off, and already have plans to continue practicing their new adventure sport together. This moment opened up new opportunities for independence, friendship, physical activity, and overall health. Submitted by Dr. Jessica Sanders, Boston Children’s Hospital.
Community service to our elderly population, submitted by Cristina Diaz, San Juan Bautista school of medicine.
I took this photo of the Charles River in Boston, MA one evening after a storm had passed. I’ve always been amazed by the sky’s beauty after storms, and I think that the transformation from storm to a masterpiece in the sky is a wonderful metaphor for life. As Paulo Coelho said, “Don’t forget, beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies.” Just as the clouds are needed for beautiful skies, the “clouds” in our lives, while certainly challenging, make life even more meaningful and provide new perspectives that might not have been uncovered otherwise. Submitted by Michelle Diop, Warren Alpert Medical School.
Running has been a key part of my life in medical school. What started as a way to maintain physical health has become equally important to protect my mental health in medical school, whether as a break from studying or an opportunity to reflect about difficult or upsetting experiences with patient encounters on the wards. Morning runs like these remind me of the beauty in the world and motivates me to maintain this beauty and positivity throughout my work in clinic or on the wards the rest of the day. Submitted by Danielle Tsevat, The Ohio State Universtiy.
This photo was taken in the northern province of Lao Cai, Vietnam, as I was trekking down the mountain into the small villages at the border. Submitted by Dr. Thuc-Quyen (Alex) Nguyen, Harvard Palliative Medicine Fellowship
I took this photo before going to class during my second year of medical school. I keep this photo to remind myself ‘what to do’ whenever I get knocked down; always get back up. Submitted by Brittany Hozik, Medical University of South Carolina.
This photo was taken during a morning run before going to palliative care clinic. I stumbled upon this lovely sign in the middle of a forest trail near my parents’ house, and it reminded me the importance of random acts of kindness in promoting resilience. I picked out the little pink one and gave it to my mom. I was so touched by the kindness of strangers who put it there. Submitted by Meagan Pollard, UMass Medical School.
Sunrise – Cape Cod. Early mornings are always a time of hope and renewal. Submitted by Don Batisky, Emory University.