Our Residents Speak: "Why I chose Family Medicine at Swedish/Cherry Hill."
As we increase both our human population and our resource consumption on this finite planet, we can no longer afford to act as if the challenges we face exist in isolation—as if we, as individual units of life, exist in isolation. All life is interconnected. The real Dr. Patch Adams, who has devoted his life to social justice, says, "The health of the individual cannot be separated from the health of the family, the community, and the world." Stepping beyond a quick fix to consider the larger context, we as physicians have an opportunity to make a truly transformative change in our patients’ lives—and our own. This is why I chose Family Medicine, and why in particular I chose Swedish Cherry Hill/Seattle Indian Health Board. Faculty, residents, and staff are equally committed to the goal of a better world, for all. There is recognition of the gross historical and current injustices committed against people and the environment, and a will to heal these injustices. I have the unique opportunity not just to work with an underserved population, but to do it in a spirit of "we’re all in this together." We are invested in improving health because it is the health of our family, our community, our world.
Ned Hammar, R1 SIHB
For Faculty