This past month I had the opportunity to present at a medical conference; my research topic was burnout and depression in osteopathic family medicine residents. A variety of attending physicians and residents stopped by my poster, excited to see this topic being brought to light. With the recent rise in physician dissatisfaction and suicide, there has been increased attention to finally start addressing this issue.
I was super excited about giving an intellectually stimulating presentation on a topic I am very passionate about and having a meaningful conversation with my judge. I smiled and shook the hand of the elderly physician who walked up to me with a click board. He fumbled while trying to find his grading sheet seeming discombobulated. After giving him a helping hand, I was ready to start the conversation. To my surprise, one of the first comments out of my judge’s mouth was “You look cyanotic.” I glanced down at my hands thinking that maybe I was cold, however confused I looked back up at him. “Your nail polish,” he remarked.
Now, being that the conference was in Puerto Rico, I had decided to get a manicure and pedicure after successfully completing my fourth year of medical school and getting accepted into my number one residency choice. As it is a tropical place, I decided to get a teal color — something light and fitting. As a female in medicine, I am used to hearing remarks in regards to how I dress, my haircut, my nails and all things superficial from both patients and other colleagues.
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