Liz meets Christian Snow

~ Seattle, Franciscan Medical Center ~

It is lunch time. Liz is in the cafeteria, sitting at the table with her mentor Dr. Kaviraj, and four other surgeons.

That morning, Liz arrived to work on time. Her workday started with a person from human resources who explained her rules that every staff member needs to follow and provided her with her employee badge and some brochures to go through.

Liz took a photo of her employee badge and sent it to her father.

After that, she went to the office of Chairman Lee and they discussed the usual schedule for surgeons. Chairman Lee explained that as a full-time surgeon at FMC it's expected that she will be in her office two days a week during work hours from 9 AM to 5 PM, meeting with patients for exams, diagnosis and consultations. One day a week she will be available for consultations and emergency procedures in the urgent care ward. One day is dedicated for surgeries while two days a week she will be the surgeon on-call.

Liz has no problems with this. That is the schedule she had in the hospital in New York. Two days of office work and one in the urgent care are with fixed work hours, while days with surgeries (and that includes on-call days) will depend on the patients. She gets one day a week as her day off where she can relax and not expect any calls. The day off is usually scheduled after the urgent care day, because the shift in the urgent care is twelve hours long.

As her seniority is increasing, number of days on-call will reduce. Those are the perks that come with experience: salary increases, and workdays decrease.

Chairman Lee had an appointment to meet with the latest interview candidate, so he left Liz to pick her days with a young man who is responsible for handling schedules for staff.

Liz was very happy when she found out that her mentor is Dr. Kaviraj. She worked with the woman more than once, and they get along well.

After administrative work was completed, Dr. Kaviraj started showing Liz around the hospital, and they headed first to Liz's office.

Dr. Kaviraj got a call which informed her that the second open position in surgery department is confirmed as filled, and that the candidate is here and available to meet with them for lunch.

"What do you think?", Dr. Kaviraj asked Liz.

Liz agreed to head to cafeteria. "We need to see it anyway, and it will be good to meet with a coworker before he starts working."

Liz and Dr. Kaviraj are not the only ones, other staff members from surgery department will join them as well.

Liz concluded that the man must be something like a celebrity if everyone is willing to meet him over lunch. After all, her interview ended at lunch time as well, but they didn't meet with her.

Liz fangirled when she found out that the man they are about to meet is Christian Snow.

"You know him?", Dr. Kaviraj asked when she noticed Liz's excitement.

"No, but I am familiar with his work. His article in the latest edition of 'Surgery MD' made me think of handling muscle tissue…", Liz was talking breathlessly.

Dr. Kaviraj smiled and bobbed her head while admiring Liz's enthusiasm. Ah, youth. After more than twenty-five years of practicing medicine, she does not get excited so easily.

Back to present…

Chairman Lee is approaching the table where Liz is seated while chatting with a young man.

Liz blinked few times. It took her a moment to realize that the tall and handsome man who is walking toward her in confident strides is Christian Snow. She completely forgot that he is only 35 years old. Ah! He has so many accomplishments at such a young age (for a surgeon). And he also came from the family of prominent medical workers. In a way, he is her role model, because she also hopes that soon she is able to stand outside her father's shadow and that people say: 'That is Elizabeth Williams, the neurosurgeon!'… without mentioning her father in the same breath.

Liz reminded herself to scale down her excitement. She does not want to scare the man away by appearing immature.

"Allow me to introduce the latest talent we poached all the way from Chicago!", Chairman Lee exclaimed. "The word is that he is the most talented orthopedic surgeon of the younger generation, and I happen to agree with that. Please help me welcome to the team: Christian Snow!"

Liz prevented herself from clapping at this introduction, and she saw that the two people on her right almost did clap… their hands were frozen mid-air. She stifled a laugh.

Christian shook hands briefly with everyone, while slowly moving toward Elizabeth.

Ah! She is excited. During her medical studies she was reading research articles that he wrote. If Olivia is the type to have posters of male models in her room, Elizabeth will have published articles written by Dr. Snow. Well, not just by him, she has several other surgeons that she admires, but Dr. Snow is right here so he a hot topic, while others faded (in Liz's mind).

When Christian's eyes landed on Elizabeth, his stoic expression cracked, and he was unable to hide his surprise. Or was that an excitement, maybe? In any case, Elizabeth, as a young woman in her twenties, stands out in this group of people who are all in their late forties or above.

"Dr. Snow…", Chairman Lee introduced Liz. "This is the latest bright star in neurosurgery, Elizabeth Williams. She joined our team today."

Elizabeth smiled. She likes that introduction: 'bright star in neurosurgery'. Liz concluded that Chairman Lee is good at sweet talking people.

"Dr. Williams, nice to meet you.", he flashed a smile.

"It's my pleasure, Dr. Snow.", Elizabeth responded.

He sat opposite from Liz. "Please, call me Chris."

During lunch, Liz observed all these people trying to get Chris' attention. She shook her head internally. He got a lunch-gathering, and a grand introduction to the team, and she didn't. Well, she can't complain. He is a star-surgeon, and this is the star-treatment she decided to avoid when she came to the West Coast.

This reminded her of her first day at her previous job… everyone who was not on duty gathered to welcome her, full of smiles, trying to get her attention, there was even a bouquet of fresh flowers and a 'Welcome' banner in her office. Eh, the first day was glamorous, but later she found out that it comes with a price. Number of coworkers who didn't get such a grand welcome felt resentment which was directed at her.

After few months, Liz realized that her coworkers are split in two groups: one group who is trying to get close to her, and the other one who dislikes her… both because of her father. And Liz doesn't like any of those cases. She didn't spend years in medical school so that people judge her professional skills based on who her father is.

Of course, it's a bit different with Chris. Right now, people are trying to get his attention because of him. But there was a time when he was in the shadow of his family. He managed to make a name for himself. Impressive.

Liz can't deny that she is bothered by the fact that Dr. Snow is starting in this team as a star player, while she feels like a backup, a benchwarmer.

'It's fine', she told herself. Soon she will prove her skills and earn her well-deserved place.

"I'm sorry I didn't have more time to talk to you.", Chris said as they stood up after lunch.

"I'm sure there will be chances in the future.", Liz responded and headed to continue her hospital tour with Dr. Kaviraj.

'Well, he is nice.' Liz is glad that Dr. Snow is not full of himself. Based on her first impression of him, they will get along well.

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