I remember so clearly my first day of taking call as an orthopaedic resident. The patient lists neatly folded and tucked into my white coat and my pocket hand books readily available- highlighted and studied thoroughly. I remember thinking this was the moment I had been waiting for- I could return a call on my cell phone and refer to myself as Dr. Chaudhari and proceed to help someone with patient care. What I did not appreciate at the time was the gravity of that responsibility and the permanence of that duty. As the years passed, the excitement of becoming a newly minted doctor wore off and maturity, responsibility, and dedication set in. I was accustomed to the long days and late nights of studying in medical school— it felt manageable with breaks interspersed and friends to commiserate with. Residency felt more isolated. More real. The gap between non medical friends became wider as they were being promoted from their first jobs, falling in love and creating a life with their partner and becoming first time home owners. In residency, It became normal to miss family events, holidays, birthdays and weddings. The once calculated decisions early in my medical journey became reflexive. Medicine first, everything else a distant second. Eventually though, life did become more predictable and other aspects of life fell into place. Even today choices between family and career are made daily. Family events have been missed and self care neglected due to a longer than expected case in the operating room or a patient that takes precedence in that moment. But that is the life of #dedicateddoctors . I want to thank @minibot.media for beginning this campaign to highlight the dedication required to become a doctor. I love the life I have created both at home and in my career with the support of my family. Has it always been balanced and easy? No. Has it been worth the sacrifice and dedication? Absolutely.