David Tolentino
Now that it has been a month since Brian passed away, I think it has given me enough time to sit back, pray, and organize my thoughts. I pray that Brian is at peace and that all of you have started that long road of healing and continuing to cope with his loss.
When I was Brian's senior resident and last year as his chief resident, he would always ask 'why this' and 'why that'. He was always very inquisitive as to the decisons we made together in the care of our patients. I one time got frustrated with him and told him "because I said so". Later that night, when we were on call together, he told me, "Dave, the only reason I ask you questions is because when you graduate next year and become an attending, I want you to know this stuff and be a good doctor." That's how Brian was! I've heard his sister and his mother talk about how Brian always looked out for everyone else, and they are absolutely right. He always tried to bring out the best in people.
Brian definitely touched all of us in medical education and all those he encountered on a daily basis. It has been weird without Brian around this past month. I look into the faces of the medical students, interns, and residents and I see a part of Brian in all of them...especially those from his intern class. One's intern class should hold a special place in every physician's heart especially in one as small as St. John WestShore's. Everybody becomes family--brother and sister to one another. You grow together as friends, as doctors, and more importantly as people. You learn to work together and learn to disagree with each other. Brian's class was no exception, and he was definitely one of their brothers.
I will truly miss Brian. He was a great friend to all of us. You are all in our prayers and if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know.
David