08/09/2026
โจWEST MED STORIESโจ
ISSUE NO. v1.2.09.08.26
Clerkship is not just about learning how to become a doctor. It is about finding the courage to become one.
Yesterday, we heard the stories of four of our MeUS
clerks, as they reflected on their journey through clerkship so far. Through long days, new challenges, and moments of exhaustion, they learned that sometimes, the most important thing you can do is simply show up, stay present, and be ready to learn.
Today, for another edition of Clerkship Files, we hear from four more of our MeUS clerks as they share their experiences in Benito. And if there is one message they hope to leave with their fellow clerks, it is simple: have courage.
Clerkship is a season of new experiences and many firsts. Despite spending three years in medical school, they realized that no amount of preparation can completely prepare you for what awaits in the hospital.
Three years of studying how the body works, understanding diseases, and learning how to communicate with patients can provide you with a strong foundation. But the hospital teaches you things that cannot be found in textbooks. There are skills to be learned, situations to navigate, and moments that can only be understood by experiencing them firsthand.
In the midst of all this unfamiliarity, they learned the importance of trusting themselves and the knowledge they have built over the past three years. Clerkship can be overwhelming, and it can be easy to question whether you have studied enough or whether you are truly ready. But the knowledge is there. The skills are there. Sometimes, they simply need to be put into practice for the first time.
And while courage means believing in yourself, it also means knowing when to ask for help. There is strength in being humble enough to admit what you do not know and being open to learning from the doctors, nurses, staff, and everyone who helps guide you through the hospital experience.
The road of clerkship may be unfamiliar and daunting, even to the brightest minds of Roxas Hall. There will be days when you feel uncertain, afraid, or overwhelmed. But courage is not the absence of fear, it is choosing to move forward despite it.
So, be brave. Have grit. Trust in what you have learned. Ask when you need help. And above all, remain compassionate and give your best for every patient who places their trust in you
Caption by: Chia
Creative Layout by: Rika
Interviewers: JM Oliva and Pacs
Contributor: Ivon Carl Escaro