The Units

by Jamie Mackay

  ***

  Dr. Zubert peered over her stylish strong-rimmed glasses. "A Master's degree, followed by a PhD, and then your internship. Are you up for it?" she asked, knowing full well Tatum was, of course, 'up for it'. She had excelled in her studies, was ranked within the top five in her class, and possessed the type of personality and skill necessary to become a clinician. She would be beginning her graduate training with Dr. Zubert as her supervisor and was thrilled about the opportunity.

  "I've never been more ready for anything in my life," Tatum told her supervisor - much less shyly than during their initial encounter.

  .

  Years later, Tatum stood proudly in the middle for a picture with her supervisors. Dr. Zubert on one side and Dr. Brunet on the other. Dr. Brunet was an eminent research clinician from Harvard who had agreed to co-supervise Tatum for her PhD; he only worked with the best, and he knew she was one of them. Tatum graduated Cum Laude and was the proud recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship which would support her fully throughout her training as an intern. Only one problem... Fulbrights could only be taken by American students interested in studying in Canada.