Abstract
On a wintry trip to Chicago recently, I climbed into a taxi (yes, a real taxi) and zipped off for the airport. An introvert, I don’t look forward to the moment that occurs when you are deciding if you are going to engage in a conversation with the cab driver or the person next to you on a plane. This day, however, my driver’s kindness was irresistible. Moe was from Ethiopia and expressed how much he missed his family there. I asked what he missed most, and he described, with this joy swimming in his voice, that his family came together and danced every holy day. He went on to describe how he has brothers and sisters here, but everyone is too busy—to not be busy—together. His eyes lost some luster.
I’ve been with the Journal since its inception. When I started, I knew little about what it took and yet passion for the field buoyed me along. Many journals at the time were not accepting research on patient experience (and some still don’t), which made me feel oddly alone at the time.
I can proudly say that the journal has taken on a life of its own. We’ve seen exponential growth in submissions that plant firm roots for patient (and human) experience as one of the most important topics in health care. Not only have the submissions grown, but the quality of submissions is humbling.
Most importantly, interacting with all of you, who share this fire in your belly for a more empathic health care experience for all, has been a very unexpected blessing for me.
As long as we keep that fire burning bright, the future of the and the human(e) experience we have been fighting for will always be in good hands.
PS—My friend Moe will make it home next year for the first time in over a decade. As the Holidays approach, please find the people you love and do some dancing.
Meet Reyner. He’s 15 minutes old with a great head of hair. Just like his dad Patrick, who can’t look away from his new son while a nurse checks him out.
Jennifer Judkins is interested in moments and stories.
Documentation has always been of importance to her. Having long been interested in stories and histories, she photographs life as it presents itself.
Originally educated in fine art photography, Jennifer takes a documentary style approach when photographing births in New York.
Jennifer holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
https://www.jenniferjudkins.com
http://theripplepodcast.com/ <https://www.jenniferjudkins.comhttp//theripplepodcast.com/>
https://www.birthmomentsphotography.com/ https://www.birthmomentsphotography.com/