“When a patient has a heart attack, a Harvard student instinctively runs not to his bedside, but to the library to read about chest pain.” Matt McCarthy was no exception, and at the beginning of his medical practice he was more of a theorist—very knowledgeable, but with little skill. However, just one year spent in residency changed him completely. At first, it seemed impossible—so many failures and mistakes haunted the recent student. But difficult situations, wise mentors, and the patients themselves helped Matt McCarthy become a real doctor. A story about this hard but unforgettable time will help you better understand what a doctor has to go through on the path to professionalism.