Ronald A Arky

What inspires or motivates you in your role at HMS/HSDM?
I am inspired and motivated by my medical students of yesteryear as well as those of today! This is my 54th year at the Harvard Medical School. The extraordinary accomplishments of the many students I have had contact with over these years are the prime motivators in my roles as Master of the Francis Weld Peabody Society-to advise, to mentor, befriend and counsel not only through the course of medical school but through their careers and life trials. My daily contact with current students whose intelligence, maturity, dedication to patients, and capabilities to innovate and lead is not only a privilege but a great source of gratification and pride. The enthusiasm, diversity, and technical know-how of today's medical students inspire, motivate and teach me. It's been a marvelous life.

In what ways do you feel you contribute to the Harvard community?
As a teacher, mentor and friend to many generations of medical students, I hope to have contributed to their personal betterment as physicians, leaders and researchers; As a consequence I hope to have contributed to the improvement of health of their patients as well as themselves and their families. The lessons a good physician educator imparts to his students hopefully are amplified many times to the individual patient, the community and then the entire population. Direct patient service is only one way to contribute - education is a potent multiplier that can change patterns of health care, improve patients' understanding of common and rare illnesses, and community well-being. In responsible positions with the American Diabetes Association, Program Directors of Internal Medicine, for the Massachusetts Medical Society, I have tried to advance the ideals and principles of medical professionalism that promote respect for patients and peers, access to care for all and openness, honesty and trust which are vital ingredients of being the complete physician.