Whether she’s scaling some of the most well-known cliffs in the country or training for a career in urology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine medical student Nikta Rezakahn Khajeh takes the skills needed for her passion
and connects them to her profession.
“I see rock climbing as a form of active meditation,” Nikta shared. “It exercises your mental strength just as much as your physical strength, and many of the skills I learn through climbing – effective communication, staying calm
in stressful situations and preparing for unexpected events – translate well in the operating room.”
Just as trust and relationships are paramount in the rock-climbing community, the relationship and trust between a patient and doctor is just as crucial.
“Patients have to offer delicate details about their bodies and life experiences to build the foundational trust with their doctor,” Nikta said. “As doctors, we dedicate our lives to learning both the science and humanism of medicine
to help alleviate suffering and empower patients. Together, we come up with a plan of action that involves shared decision making and accountability.”
Relationship building became especially important during the pandemic.
“For some patients, especially during COVID, being in the hospital might mean they are having the worst day of their life,” Nikta said. “I want patients in the hospital to feel
that we are not only working hard to treat them medically, but we are also emotionally supportive of their healing process.”
Nikta found the past two years to be especially hard on health care workers mentally, physically and emotionally. She personally found support in the rock-climbing community, but also tried to focus on the positive things each day.
“We picked a profession that innately operates at a high stress level, but this pandemic has amplified that to a breaking point for many of us,” she explained. “I try to find gratitude in every day, especially the little things that
I used to overlook - like a series of green lights on my way to work. If I dwell on all the difficulties and stressors this pandemic has brought on everyone, I would be in a very dark place.”
Nikta hopes the community understand how well-intentioned health care workers are, and that they want the best for their patients.
“Politicians want your vote, media sources want your view, but health care workers only want what is best for you and your health.”