Alyssa Ference

Dr. VonSchlichten

Western Cultures and Traditions I HP

18 September 2018

Ancient Advisors of My Future

The history of medicine has always fascinated me with all the advancements we have

made today and all the advancements we are aiming to accomplish in the near future. Because of

this, I am majoring in Pre-Allied Health Sciences to become a Physician Assistant, while also

minoring in Spanish. My minor describes the other half of me that wants to figure out how

medicine in the United States is above medicine in other countries and use the knowledge to

improve medical studies around the world to better the human species as a whole. Having both

of these interests is what guided me to choose Agnodice, Confucius, and Sushruta as the three

members of my advisory board to guide me in the right direction to accomplish my professional

goals.

Agnodice studied midwifery in Hellenistic Alexandria under another well-known

mastermind of medicine, Hierophilus, in 300 B.C.E. She returned back to her home to become a

popular gynecologist for the women of Athens. Agnodice intrigues me because she was so

dedicated to medicine and helping individuals that she disguised herself as a male, just so she

could practice on men and women without being criticized. Because of her popularity among her

female patients, her male colleagues began to question if she was seducing her patients and sent

her to court. In court, she revealed her identity, which led to her exoneration because female

doctors were forbidden during her time. She could help me by giving me advice about how to

conduct myself in hospitals or practices populated mainly by males, while also motivating me to
not give up based on my sex, not matter the competition. Agnodice was able to prove that

women were just as intelligent and able to practice medicine as males were. Although her end

was not as successful, she played a tremendous part in standing up for gender equality in the

workplace and, therefore, is one of my role models and advisors for my professional career.

Along with including physicians on my advisory board, I think it is important to include a

philosopher that will help guide my professional ethical values. For this reason, I chose

Confucius, the Chinese philosopher from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C. Confucius’ primary social

philosophy was about loving others, or “ren”. This applies to my career because I cannot refuse

treatment. Everyone deserves a chance at a healthy life with no discrimination. Confucius would

help me practice treating others the way I would want to be treated. He also believed in positive

role models for people. Relating it to the medical field, I need to practice what I preach, which is

a healthy lifestyle and making healthy choices to assure safety. If I am going to be telling my

patients what they should and should not do to remain healthy and safe, I need to be that role

model for them. Confucius belongs on my board so that I can become not only a successful

physician assistant, but a successful citizen as well.

One of my goals is to become a Physician Assistant specialized in Pediatric Surgery.

Sushruta was an ancient Indian physician during the 7th-6th century B.C.E. that is commonly

known as, not only the “Father of Indian Medicine”, but the “Father of Surgery” for inventing

surgical procedures, hence why I chose him to be on my advisory board. He wrote the oldest text

in the world about plastic surgery, Sushruta Samhita. He practiced Ayurvedic Medicine, or

holistic healing that incorporates spiritual and herbal healing. Although surgical procedures were

already around before Sushruta, he is known for advancing the techniques and his all-powerful

healing mechanisms. For example, he used an ant head to sew sutures. Sushruta had a brilliant
mind and the ability to think outside of the box to provide the best care for patients. I want

Sushruta on my advisory board because I believe the main characteristic of being in the medical

field is knowing how to think of new techniques off the top of your head and to be willing to try

different ways in order to master treatment. Sushruta could help open my mind to ideas I would

have never thought about, allowing me to use my open mind to think fast and provide my

patients the chance of a healthy life, by literally doing whatever I can, even if it is as crazy as

using an ants head to sew up someone’s suture.

My advisory board is complete with Ancient medical professionals that could assist me in

all aspects of my future career. Agnodice can help me succeed as a female in a field created and

taken over by the males. Confucius will guide me on the right path of being a loving and caring

health care professional. Sushruta will guide me on how to think outside of the box on the spot to

provide the best care possible for my patients. With all of these individuals, I will successfully

take my spot in the medical field by understanding the growth of medicine throughout the

centuries to modern day techniques.

 Bibliography

“Confucius.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 15 Feb. 2018,

www.biography.com/people/confucius-9254926.

Mark, Joshua J. "Sushruta." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 12

Jan 2018. Web. 18 Sep 2018.

Saldarriaga, Nicole. “Agnodice: The First Female Physician?” Classical Wisdom Weekly, 9 July

2015, classicalwisdom.com/agnodice-first-female-physician-maybe/.