Committed: Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training

Adam Stern's memoir follows his journey as a psychiatry resident at a prestigious Harvard program. After attending a state medical school, Stern was selected to train alongside high achievers from Ivy League and elite universities across the nation. The faculty called his cohort "The Golden Class," but Stern questioned whether he truly belonged among them. The narrative chronicles Stern and his fellow residents through their emotionally demanding four-year residency. Stern shares stories from the psychiatric wards while exploring the residents' experiences with impostor syndrome, love, loss, and personal growth. As they learn to help distressed patients, the doctors confront the meaning of failure and success. The memoir examines what it takes to become a psychiatrist, revealing the challenging lessons Stern and his classmates learned while studying the human condition. Throughout, Stern portrays his patients with sensitivity and candor, ultimately exploring themes of connection and the value of human relationships.