Takeaways from Hot Lights, Cold Steel by Michael Collins

SOHAWM SENGUPTA – Hot Lights, Cold Steel by Dr. Micahel Collins is an autobiography recounting his time during residency as he prepared to become a surgeon. Dr. Collins paints his transformation from a struggling student to Chief Resident, vividly describing every experience that shaped his life. All of the painful lows on the path to becoming a fully practicing physician include stories of moonlighting at rural hospitals to make ends meet and barely being able to financially support his large family on limited income. 

What I appreciate most about Dr. Collins’ book is that he chooses to focus on the reality of how grueling the path to becoming a physician can be. He is candid about his experiences and does not dismiss the tribulations as mere obstacles in the road. As he described his experiences, I became immersed in his journey toward success.

`As an aspiring physician, this autobiography shined light on the harsh realities of pursuing my dream.  The story that Dr. Collins recites is a primary example of the  hard work and dedication it will take to ensure that I am able to be successful. I highly recommend reading this book, as it does not sugarcoat the struggles of medical residency and answers a lot of questions about the difficulty of trying to make ends meet, and balancing work and family life. Aspiring physicians tend to be narrow-minded in thinking that the hardest part about the journey might be the classes I have to take or the things I have to do outside of the classroom, but the hardest part of all might be the demanding lifestyle of a medical student. 

The purpose of this autobiography is not to scare people away from pursuing a career in medicine, but it is to inform the reader that it is a tough and unique path for everyone. Dr. Collins does reflect on how the process was worth it as he is able to see the light at the end of the tunnel as things begin to fall into place for him after residency. He appreciates the lifestyle as it reinvigorated his work ethic and helped him realize that he truly was meant to practice medicine. 

Copy Editor: Sophia Bartell

Photography Source: https://pixabay.com/images/id-1822458/