25th Grade Graduation

This Friday was the commencement dinner for the class of 2013 urology residents.  It's a lovely event that always takes place at the Foundation House --- one of the grand and historic houses of the Mayo brothers.  

I can only speak for myself, but it was a bit surreal that this time around was in honor of our class...  We have, after all, attended this event 4 previous times and gone on with our lives as they were.  I think it was when I saw the commencement brochure with Mikel's and his classmates' faces on the cover that it started to sink in... This is actually it!  

As a gift to the chiefs, Marcellino Rivera - a PGY 2 and one of Mikel and Lindsay's chief juniors - sang "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis.  It was tremendous!  I'm told Marce was a vocal performance major in college.  Talk about a Jack of all trades!  He received a well-deserved standing ovation.

Gifts and diplomas for the graduates

Every year, the dinner is accompanied by a chief roast.  

Each graduate asks a consultant MD of their choosing to perform their roast, and WOW do the consultants put a lot of time and thought into the presentations!  They interview family members, gather photos, record testimonies...  They really work hard to make it a special (and humorously uncomfortable) event for the chiefs.  As any good roast would, they often bring to light photos or memories the subject may just as soon forget -- but everyone takes it in stride and it always guarantees a good time.

Dr. Steve Boorjian did Mikel's roast and titled it "J. Mikel Hubanks: A Man of Contrasts".  He did a great job, considering there's really not much dirt to offer up on Mikel!

 Mikel giving his Thank You speech, which I've attached at the bottom of this blog for memory's sake. (Side note: Isn't he handsome?)

Barb served a surgical mentor to Mikel and a dear friend to both of us.  

She's one of a kind with her quick-as-a-whip humor.  Any day was better with Barb!

Catherine and me -- Chris and Mikel are outnumbered as the only two males in their class of 5 residents, so we are the only wives!

As the administrative guru of the department when he was interviewing, the lovely Jean Wagner was the first person Mikel met at Mayo, and she blew him away because she had his name correct on his name tag.  She made the lives of everyone in the department so much easier because of her organization and care.  What a special and dear lady. She retired from her position during our time in residency, but so sweetly took the time to come to graduation.  We all owe you a lot, Jean!

Dr. Brad Leibovich is one of Mikel's favorite mentors, and we are indebted to him as the surgeon who operated on Debby (Mikel's mom) 2 short years ago when a tumor in her kidney required she undergo a nephrectomy ASAP.

Dr. Boorjian, who performed Mikel's roast, has become a dear friend of Mikel's.  He was the only consultant to have us to his home for dinner, and he really made an impact on us.

The chief resident (r) class of 2013 and their spouses

Back: Mikel (r), Mark Cummins, Mairtin de Cogain, Chris Mitchell (r)

Front: me, Lindsay Hertzig (r), Mitra de Cogain (r), Moira Dwyer (r), Catherine Mitchell

Mitra and Mairtin -- two of our besties

And two more -- Mark and Lindsay

As an arborist - aka, the only one with a job that forces him to work outside in the winter months - it seems poor Mark was more ready for graduation day than any of us!

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Mikel, you have worked hard for a long time and dedicated yourself to learning this craft.  You excelled in every step of your training, from undergrad to med school (I'll never forget those test block weeks) and now you have conquered residency.  You are esteemed by all those who encounter you.  You draw appropriate boundaries between work and home, yet give both the energy and time they deserve.  I could not be more proud of you.  Nolan and I are so thankful to and for you.  Your dedication to true excellence and vision for our future as a family do not go unnoticed.  You are a wonderful doctor, dad and husband who we wouldn't trade in a million years.  Congratulations on a job done very, very well!  Can't wait to see what this next chapter holds.

We love you!!

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Mikel's speech:

Thanks, Dr. Boorjian. It really is hard to believe that 5 years have already passed. It’s been an incredible journey and there are so many individuals in this room who have made this day possible. It’s also wonderful to have our former chiefs back tonight to celebrate with us, and thank you guys for being here.

Mayo Clinic was my very first residency interview. To be honest, I planned for this to be a “practice” interview as I had no intention of moving to rural Minnesota or joining a large program where I thought the operative experience would be limited. The night of the interview dinner I met Candace and Mark and was blown away by the stories they shared. I had no idea a training program like this existed. Of course, there is no better spokesperson for Mayo than Candace Granberg, as she could convince anyone to come here. I’m just glad I didn’t get immediately black-balled knowing what I know now.

As everyone in this room is aware of, my name has been a source of confusion for essentially my entire life. Going by my middle name and spelling it weird has always had to be explained, but at least it’s not Madam Childs – could always be worse. When I came here to interview, my name tag had “Mikel Hubanks” written on it, spelled correctly and all. Now this was the only place I interviewed where that was the case – everywhere else I was “John”, well except on Dr. Gettman’s service I guess I’m kind of back to John.

You may ask why I bring this up and why I even remember this. The reason is that this simple act of getting my name right on a name tag spoke volumes to me. Not only did I realize Mayo paid attention to minute details of my application, but they – YOU – actually cared. I was convinced then that Mayo gets it right, and knew this was the place for me.

Of course, because of this, I have to thank Jean Wagner first. You were an absolutely phenomenal program coordinator and really a big reason me and so many of my co-residents were initially drawn to this place. Thank you again for your many years of service and for always caring about us and our well-being.

Along those same lines, Joan has truly carried on the torch and has done a remarkable job at keeping us all in line. Thank you, Joan, for all you do, you are immensely appreciated.

As residents, life can be demanding, stressful, and just plain tough. However, I know of no other program where we are treated as kindly and respected as we are here. Sure, we can always find things to complain and whine about, but, really, we know how good we have it. I think the two people we really have to thank for this are Dr. Husmann and Dr. Gettman, and for the unique and widely respected program they have cultivated.

Dr. Husmann, you have truly been a one-of-a-kind chairman. I can think of no one else in this department who is as readily available and approachable as you. I can recall story after story where you have personally helped me with difficult situations or let me run a case by you at ridiculous hours of the night. From coming in late on a Saturday night, not on call, to help me put in a catheter in a newborn with valves in the NICU to actually answering your cell phone knowing it is from a Mayo operator while skiing in Colorado to discuss a case with me are a testament to this. I mean, what other chairman would actually do these things?! I can think of no one else more deserving for teacher of the year. Thank you for your help in difficult times, thank you for believing me, thank you for allowing me to train here. I truly owe you my career.

Dr. Gettman, it has been a privilege having you as my mentor these past 5 years. I greatly appreciate all your advice, your encouragement, and for all that you have personally done for me. In a way it’s kind of unfortunate that I’m doing your rotation at the end of residency, but at the same time can think of no better way to transition into practice. I thank you for your friendship and the laughs we’ve had these past few years. I am also incredibly indebted to you for all you have done to help me get to this place. Thank you.

There are several others that I have to acknowledge tonight who have been instrumental not only in my training, but also in my life.

Dr. Leibovich, I don’t even know where to begin to express my gratitude to you. Your impact on me and my family is one that is immeasurable. I did your rotation as a PGY-3 and needless to say was a little scared, although probably not as scared as you were. The time I spent on your service was a major turning point in my training. You instilled in me such a confidence as a surgeon and after doing your rotation felt that I could actually accomplish things. Even now, at times when struggling with a case I find myself thinking, “how would Brad Leibovich set this up better?” And, amazingly, it actually works! Lastly, Dr. Leibovich, to try and even remotely relay my profound appreciation for saving my mother’s life is simply not possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all you did to help us through such a dark time. I only have the utmost respect for you as a surgeon, clinician, and friend.

Dr. Krambeck, Dr. Elliott, I also thank you both incredibly much for your role in my mother’s care. Because of you, she has continued to do remarkably well.

Dr. Thompson, I did your rotation twice and loved it even more the second time around. Although, that’s probably only because Barb was around then. Thank you for your trust and letting me go. Thank you for letting me always stop by your office seeking advice ranging from patient care to cars to contract negotiations. Thank you for your support of the residents and always looking to improve the quality of our experience.

Dr. Boorjian, I had the best time on your rotation. In the midst of craziness, challenging cases, and patients going back and forth between the unit, your “introduction of humor to lighten an otherwise stressful situation” was always appreciated. I have never met an individual with such passion for his craft as you. With every difficult clinical situation I encounter, I try to picture it through the eyes of Steve Boorjian and think through it like we did every clinic day. Because of you, I will forever say “to quote – unquote police the abdomen” when replacing the omentum. Thank you for pushing me, challenging me, making me better with every case. You are truly a great friend and the type of urologist I will always strive to be.

Dr. Karnes, Dr. Leibovich, thanks for hooking me up with a great job!

To my co-chiefs, I love you guys, and I can’t imagine experiencing these past 5 years with a better group. Chris and Lindsay, thanks for two great chief quintiles.

To my juniors, Patrick, Christy, Marcelino, Boyd - you all have such a bright future. Thanks for putting up with me, working hard, and doing an outstanding job.

Mark and Mairtin, I want you know how much I truly value your friendship and look forward to our combined family vacations.

Lastly, to my wife, there is no one else I would rather do this with. Thank you for your unending support, encouragement, and love. I love our life, I love our awesome son, I love you.

To everyone here, thank you. Thank you for investing in us, thank you for caring for us. I am truly humbled and honored to have been a part of this place.

Mayo gets it right, and I have no doubt will continue to do so for years to come.