Reflection on Work Placement

By Ann Rose Connor

One of the biggest themes of the Fellows Program is exploring the relationship between faith and work. In this vein, the wonderful work placement team helps each fellow find suitable jobs within the community where we work Monday through Wednesday. Chris Townsend and many other committee members put me in contact with a direct primary care physician in Charlotte (whose son was a Fellow!) who was willing to hire me in this part-time role as a medical assistant.

Every week, I am so thankful for this opportunity to work for Dr. Katibah and learn from his professional and personal wisdom. He takes his time with each patient, invests in their physical, mental, and emotional health, and strives to care for each patient as a whole and complex individual. He takes on his role as a medical practitioner with joy and weightiness.

Dr. Katibah has invited me into his process and approach to treating patients, letting me shadow him in patient rooms, teaching me how to scribe, and checking in with me regularly about what we are learning in Fellows. I’m so thankful for the unique opportunity I’ve been given to care for people’s physical needs in a medical setting like this, and thankful to learn from people who model Christ in the workplace.