12 years ago, Sean Pirkle stepped off the graduation stage as Class President of Lambert High School’s first graduating class. As he looked out into the sea of graduates, each with their own passions, dreams and plans, he was unnerved by the possibility of an uncertain future.
Back then, Pirkle had intended to major in Spanish, and soon after graduation he boarded a plane to Honduras where his uncle worked in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN). His goal was to enhance his Spanish skills, but instead, he found the passion that would change his life.
“We would take these little trips out to the community, and it was there where I saw these really challenging patient interactions, one in particular, which I briefly touched on in the book, where I felt helpless and wanted to do something,” Pirkle described. “And it was in that moment where I was like, I think this is what I want to do in my life.”
That turning point became the seed of his new book “Somewhere In Between,” published this July. Part memoir, part reflection, the book traces his journey from Lambert High School to Vanderbilt University, the University of Chicago and beyond.
A product of eight years of labor and love, “Somewhere In Between” offers more than just an explanation of how medical studies work. It provides a compelling narrative, pulling the reader into the world of anatomy labs, board exams and patient care.
“I wanted to write the book as this expository piece that was explaining what medical school is like,” Pirkle explained. “As I continued writing..the book really evolved into this piece where it’s talking about life through the lens of medicine…And I think that’s where the value in the book is now, anybody can pick up this book and find something valuable in it.”
Pirkle masterfully relays the stories that shaped his time in medical school and residency, making the reader feel like they are experiencing these things alongside him. Not only does one get to read about him growing as a doctor, but readers get to see Pirkle as somebody navigating the trials of relationships, being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and figuring himself out as a person, all alongside handling his career. There are parts in the book where he makes profound realizations and grapples with the nature of medicine – the desensitization, the heavy workload and his own abilities in the field. However, there are also some extremely heartwarming moments and funny stories, such as his instances during clinical skills day with the standardized patients.
And while much of the book traces his road through his undergraduate and medical studies, Pirkle never forgets where it began. In his book, he references many fond memories of Lambert, even using a quote from “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau to pay homage to his time in Mr. Woody VanTreek’s literature class. He highlights how his experiences at Lambert shaped him to become the person he is today. In particular, Pirkle recalls his teachers who impacted him deeply: Ms. Cantrell, Mr. VanTreek, Mrs. Wilson and Drew Ferrer were some of many.
“That’s a theme shared at Lambert that [teachers] just made what could be boring and monotonous topics into something that was very enjoyable,” Pirkle stated. “I think the leadership skills they taught me and the letters of recommendation that they wrote on my behalf eventually got me into college. I’m endlessly thankful for all these teachers who really teamed me up for success down the road. ”
Now, as an orthopedic surgery resident at the University of Washington, Pirkle continues to carry the lessons he learned at Lambert with him, lessons of curiosity, dedication and the importance of mentorship. He emphasizes how his formative years not only shaped his academic path but also instilled in him a deep sense of resilience and a commitment to helping those around him, both inside and outside hospital walls.
Pirkle’s journey wasn’t always smooth. He faced several setbacks and instances of rejection along the way, from receiving extremely harsh feedback and criticism on his research to facing several rejections from medical school. Each one of these instances has tested his perseverance and ability to adapt to various circumstances. He notes that becoming comfortable with failure has been one of the most essential lessons he has learned over the course of his career.
“Starting something for the first time or starting over can be one of the most intimidating things to do,” Pirkle said. “There’s a high chance that you’ll fail entirely. If medicine has taught me one thing, it’s to become comfortable with failure and the idea of rejection. The list of things I’ve failed is probably longer than the list of my successes. It’s hard to believe that the shorter list is more meaningful.”
Many high school students face the reality of being terrified of making mistakes that could potentially affect our futures. However, Pirkle’s journey serves as a reminder that rejection isn’t the end and that everyone ends up where they are supposed to be.
“Somewhere In Between” beautifully chronicles Pirkle’s medical journey, providing both inspiration and reassurance to young readers. By embracing challenges, learning from setbacks and staying curious, he encourages students to trust the process and recognize that both successes and failures ultimately shape the people we become.
