LVH Cancer Doctor's Essay Published in Prestigious Medical Journal

The latest issue of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, published April 25, includes an essay by , chief of gynecologic oncology at about the strength he derives from patients' heartfelt letters.

In his essay titled, "Keep That," Boulay reflects that it is not so much during the moments of joy he shares with patients that their letters of gratitude give him comfort, but during the challenging times.

"This is the precise moment when the letters are most valuable," he wrote. "To remind myself of the past celebrations that have vanished into a haze of failure. To recall the relevance that I actually do play in the lives of those who put their
trust in me. To reflect on the amazing relationship that we in medicine share with our patients, in good times and in bad. And to regrasp that fleeting moment when, perhaps, I did feel like that guy. That mythical physician whose care
made a difference. Perhaps it may be true, even if only a little of it."