Hello, Dr. Shaw!
Reflections on my son's graduation from UCLA School of Medicine, May 30, 2025
Bennett has held the title of “first” for many things in his life; first child in his family, and first grandchild on both sides. He was the first to be fluent in Spanish, first to move across the country for college, first to work as a researcher, the first to publish scientific research papers. . . and now the first to become a doctor.
He is the child of two first children in their families. I am the first woman in my family, on both sides, to graduate from college. And, may I add, the first college athlete. Dan was the first to work during college, managing a college basketball team. My father Phil was the first person in his family, on both sides, to graduate from college and the first to fly an airplane. My mother, Patricia, was the first to leave her small town and strike out on her own in a big city and work in a professional job.
Bennett’s paternal grandfather, Jay, was probably the first to get in trouble in his family, and also the first in his family to enter the seminary. His paternal grandmother, Jan, was the first woman in her family to graduate from college.
Bennett may be the first doctor, but he comes from a family of many firsts. Those firsts, all put together, made his possible. He has taken his talents and his interests and followed them, from an early interest in science and trains, to running fast in new shoes.
Of course, this would not have been possible without the support of everyone here; all four grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and a representative cousin. All kinds of support were important: financial support, emotional support, and cheering him on as he found his path and ran on it.
We all know Bennett is, and will be, an excellent healer. And of course a family resource for all questions medical. He will also be, I’m sure, making some interesting and important research discoveries. I know he is very much looking forward to a paycheck and being settled in LA for a while.
This graduation and becoming a doctor don’t mark the end of his path of “firsts” because he seems to want to carry on the family legacy of courage and curiosity. Bennett’s firsts are not just achievements; they are beginnings.
We all look forward with pride and excitement to what’s next for Dr. Shaw.