Artist Statement
This poem articulates the challenging and often misunderstood experience of being a mother in medical school It describes a silent load that often takes a toll on mothers in medicine It describes the feeling of simultaneously being pulled in opposing directions, the pain of missing on special family moments and events The poem offers hope and solidarity for mothers who are enduring this unique experience.
Recommended Citation
Pendlebury, Gehan A.
(2022)
"Medicine and Motherhood: The Silent Loads,"
be Still: Vol. 6, Article 12.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol6/iss1/12
Included in
Creative Writing Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Medical Education Commons, Medical Humanities Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons
About the Artist
Gehan “ Pendlebury is an aspiring military dermatologist, commissioned Navy ensign (and medical student at KPCOM and serves in the United States Navy Medical Corps Reserves. As a Navy medical student, she follows her calling to serve current and past military service members with the utmost quality of care using a whole person approach.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in public health and criminology from Rutgers. Her research background includes undergraduate research activities in public health and clinical psychology. Currently her research has focused on dermatopathology, operational skin disease interventional pain management, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain post traumatic stress disorder among combat veterans and military service members.
She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three year old daughter. She loves Cross Fit and optimizing her athletic performance.