Artist Statement
This poem was written collaboratively by Ambika Kapil and Brendan Ginsberg, reflecting our shared journey through the challenges and rewards of medical school. The inspiration for this piece comes from a pivotal time in Ambika's journey, when she found herself balancing the demands of medical education with personal struggles. During this period, she often turned to the lectures and guidance of various faculty members, including Dr. Lori Dribin, whose wisdom and support provided a sense of stability and hope. The guidance of these mentors became a beacon, helping Ambika navigate through uncertainty.
As many students face an array of challenges in their medical career, solace has notable been found in the education and mentorship we received along the way. The metaphor of “Golden Apples” represents the wisdom and lessons passed down by those before us, while the “Yellow Brick Road” symbolizes our ongoing journey toward becoming compassionate physicians. This poem captures our gratitude for the many mentors who have shaped us and continue to guide us. We hope this piece resonates with others navigating their own paths in medicine, highlighting the mission to be a beacon of care, compassion, and reassurance for the patients we will one day serve.
Recommended Citation
Kapil, Ambika and Ginsberg, Brendan
(2025)
"The Orchard of Golden Apples,"
be Still: Vol. 9, Article 25.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol9/iss1/25
About the Artist
Ambika Kapil and Brendan Ginsberg are currently in their 3rd year of medical school at the Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and are passionate about incorporating the humanistic side of medicine into their practice.