As trainees, we aspire to be physician scientists someday. As we progress through our long and intense training pathway, it often seems that" someday" is still too far away. It can become challenging to draw strength from the motivations that initially inspired us to pursue this noble profession. We tend to focus on the external obstacles of the journey. Indeed, belonging to both the medical community and scientific community brings several unique challenges and is further complicated by our highly individualized training experiences. Although understanding these challenges is an important step toward being able to address them, today I task you with shifting the focus toward taking ownership of your training pathway.

Instead of being submissive to these challenges, challenge them in return! The most significant favor you can do for yourself is to be confident in your ability to overcome challenges. Once you do, you will be invincible. Even as a trainee with limited knowledge and experience, you have enabled yourself to learn and you are acquiring the tools needed to get the job done. You are resourceful. You have a voice. You have agency to shape your training experience and career. Take possession of your physician-scientist training experience, embrace self-efficacy, and appreciate the liberties that come with this powerful training. Allow me to share with you how involvement in the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) is emboldening trainees like me and transforming the physician-scientist training experience.