Surgical training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in the 1980's was tough, every other night on call, every other weekend in the hospital for three days straight. The training motto was succinct - "See one, do one, teach one". The regimented training was based on a long tradition - interns got up at 5 am to round on every patient on their service, and were expected to recite every vital sign, I and O, lab value and x-ray result without hesitation. I remember the day Marc started his rotation on my surgical team when I was a senior resident. I laid out the expectations for the juniors, and told them they should "be like a shark, because sharks never stopped moving, even when they slept". All the juniors nodded seriously except Marc. He raised his hand and asked "Could I be a fresh water shark? They can stop and sleep without dying". And that was the start of a long friendship. I love Marc for being such a brilliant surgeon, father and friend, a man who always found the silver lining, and made you smile. The Burke Family - Kim, Olivia, Noelle, Grace and Redmond, will pray for Rachel and all of The Umlas Family.
