"If You Love Rats"

An excerpt from an address by Stephen Bergman ’66, M.D. ’73

For more on Bergman's address, see "The Prodigal Doctor Returns."

For detailed reports on all the principal events of the week, including speech texts and audio and video recordings, please visit harvardmagazine.com/ commencement/2009.

Stephen Bergman ’66, M.D. ’73, writing as Samuel Shem, published a novel, The House of God, in 1978—a biting comedy about the lives of medical interns, among whom it remains immensely popular. It has not always been so kindly received within the medical hierarchy. So it was a surprise that Bergman, who spent decades on the Medical School faculty, teaching psychiatrists-in-training at McLean Hospital, was named the school’s Class Day speaker. This excerpt is from his introduction.

 

In rough economic times like these, perhaps we should offer a prayer of thanksgiving—how thankful we are that you are not graduating from business school. Healthcare is a glorious profession. It is so broad that each of you will find a job. If you love people and hate rats and molecules, you can be a clinician. If you love rats and molecules and are not so hot with people, a researcher. If neither, and you like travel to exotic places to help millions of people, public health or politics. And if, like me, you are a Jewish doctor who can’t stand the sight of blood, there’s always psychiatry.

Click here for the July-August 2009 issue table of contents

You might also like

Harvard Ramps Up Fundraising as Research Cuts Deepen

This week in the battle between Harvard and the Trump administration 

Plans for a Faculty Senate Move Forward

And annual awards for excellence in teaching, advising, mentoring, and scholarship

An Original Magna Carta, Hidden in Plain Sight

A rare original surfaces at Harvard at an “almost providential” moment. 

Most popular

Why Taxi Drivers Don’t Die of Alzheimer’s

Explaining taxi and ambulance drivers’ protection against Alzheimer’s disease.

The New Gender Gaps

What to do as men and boys fall behind

Explore More From Current Issue

Alice Hamilton at Harvard—Pioneer for Women in Medicine

Brief life of a public-health pioneer and reformer: 1869-1970

Short Headlines from Harvard's History

Seniors’ uncertain future c. 1940, Harvard Law Review news, and more

Addressing Gaps in Care for Patients with Disabilities

Lisa Iezzoni explores the unmet needs of patients with disabilities.