Back in December, Remembering William was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Written by Brit Hultgren, a 4th year medical student at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, this piece provides a glimpse into the life of William. William was a resident of the homeless shelter that Britt lived and worked out.
This perspective showcases a man wary of others and how Brit was able to gain his trust. Britt relays his “deep and complex relationship” with William, offering insight into how the two met and how knowing William inspired him to become a doctor.
For Britt, William taught him that him the importance of patient care by remembering that our patients are people too.
“During catheter changes and bathing, [William] reminded me that age and socioeconomic status don’t dissolve agency and autonomy — in these intimate, sacred spaces, his body and his decisions were still unquestionably his own.” (Hultgren 2018)
We wanted to congratulate Britt on his wonderful piece on William and for being recognized by the New England Journal of Medicine.