Woman doctor

I open my work e-mail and the first one I see

By my first name addresses me

In the same group e-mail my male colleagues as Dr. _ are addressed

I am annoyed but there’s nowhere my annoyance can be expressed

*

I move on, and proceed to see the first patient of the day

Despite introducing myself as the doctor, I am called Ms. anyway

I am used to it, I do not give it much thought

These are not battles worthy of being fought

*

Another patient calls me “Honey” in a tone of condescension

The next one continues to call me a nurse, in his inattention

Despite my attempts to correct him- later a complaint I hear

That “the doctor has not been in here”

*

A new patient expresses surprise that I am not a man

I try to brush it away, with as much indifference as I can

Giving the patient the benefit of doubt- perhaps he was genuinely surprised

But unfortunately I did see the disappointment in his eyes

*

I tell myself not to worry about how I am perceived

Not being called a doctor does not take away the rigorous training I’ve received

But the micro-aggressions add up each time, leaving me demoralized

And this is something male physicians do not even realize..