“This is so cool!” exclaimed one of the first-year medical students sitting in front of me in their very clean and unwrinkled white coats. Whereas more seasoned physicians might not have found the homeless, malodorous, cognitively-limited, psychotic man whom we had just interviewed to be particularly fascinating, these students engaged enthusiastically in a thoughtful discussion that ranged from differential diagnosis to social-systems issues to interviewing techniques.

Although I always knew that I enjoyed teaching, I didn’t anticipate the profound satisfaction that comes from designing and administering a medical student psychiatric curriculum. Figuring out how best to present the field of psychiatry to medical students so that they attain not just the relevant knowledge but, at least as importantly, the appropriate attitudes toward the field and our patients has been endlessly interesting, challenging, and gratifying. I’ve gained further intellectual stimulation and fulfillment from the educational research and writing projects that have evolved from and directly affected my courses. My membership in national psychiatric educational organizations has provided an added bonus, as I have a network of friends and colleagues around the country who are available with support, encouragement, and information, as needed.

Although I always knew that I enjoyed mentoring, I didn’t anticipate what a privilege it would be to participate in the intense developmental process that students undergo over their 4 years of medical school. The transformation from idealistic, vulnerable, naïve, and anxious beginning students, to mature, confident, self-aware, and competent senior students is remarkable. The only experiences that come close to matching the pleasure and sense of accomplishment that I’ve derived from engaging with these bright young men and women during this process are the equally great privileges of treating patients and parenting my children.

My first-year student’s observation was more accurate than he knew; “so cool” indeed, and why I love being an academic psychiatrist!