Two wonderful conferences!

This morning I (Kent here) attended the 10th annual medical missions symposium. Students for Medical Missions is a student group here at UT that focuses on medical missions to developing countries. I was always impressed with my Utah doctor, Dr. Bingham, who took time off of work every summer to serve in Africa. We have a few amazing doctors like him who help keep this club functioning. I have been excited to get involved in this group and was recently elected to be an officer in the club next year! (Not a huge accomplishment by any means but I'm hoping it will give me a chance to go on one of these missions. It's harder for first years to go since we basically have no clinical experience).

During the symposium a number of doctors were inducted into the Medical Mission Hall of Fame. They shared experiences and stories from their lives and service to medical missions. The keynote speaker was John Bul Dau. This man is amazing and his story helped me to see that my training as a physician is more of a calling than it is a career. John fled his native country of Sudan during civil war, lived as a refugee in Ethiopia, traveled to Kenya as one of thousands of Lost Boys, and finally was selected to come to the States to be educated. He wrote a memoir, God Grew Tired of Us, which was also made into a movie. The movie was presented after John's first hand account. It was emotionally moving and inspiring! He is working now to set up a medical clinic in Sudan. It would be so amazing to be involved in something like that!

Another great thing about the conference: free breakfast and lunch for Leisy and me!! Leisy was there while Zeb was compliant. He had to go home for a napski, but I really enjoyed being with Leisy so much today! I guess I should have studied, but I came home to listen to general conference. Our church leaders are amazing and it's neat to receive direction and guidance from them. Two amazing conferences - and three more sessions to go!