Breaking Silence

New to the department and disheartened by dismissed ideas,
meetings left me voiceless.

Lacking leaders who shared my background,
I stayed quiet.

I retreated to an empty office feeling stifled.
Imposterism deepened.

An email ping broke through the silence:
an influential senior colleague requested my clinical insights.

This gesture launched my clinical advocacy work.

Validation and sponsorship restored my voice.

60-Word Stories are a special type of narrative, each exactly 60 words in length, that are being published in celebration of STFM's 60th Anniversary in 2027. These stories will appear in every issue throughout 2027. Read more about this special article type on the journal’s home page.