When I first moved to Michigan, over a dozen years ago, my brother in law said he would help me move but only if I promised to be a Wolverine. Referring to the in-state rivalry between Michigan State and University of Michigan, it didn’t matter an iota to me which team I cheered for in college sports, but it mattered greatly how much help I had unpacking the U-Haul. I instantly became a fan of the U of M Wolverines. This allegiance held even when I began dating a man who was an avid Michigan State fan. In fact, it held up until my one and only chose to attend Michigan State. (Once you start writing those big tuition checks, it’s hard to cheer for the other team!)

In the years since, James and I have enjoyed the banter of rival matches with friends and family. The teacher across the hall from me bleeds blue and maize and I take many opportunities throughout the year to tease her about her opposing view. My students know I cheer for the Spartans and love to participate in the “Go Green!” “Go White!” cheer with me. While I’ve never lost any sleep over the outcome of a college sporting event, the rivalry has often added to the fun and sense of competition.

On the field or court, U of M and State are rivals, but when it comes to medical advances and technology, the University of Michigan rivals the big names of Northwestern and Mayo. When James’ dermatologist said “run, don’t walk to U of M” we didn’t think twice. Michigan State was the absolute best place for my son to attend college, but for the absolute best medical care, we went straight to U of M.

We had only met the surgeon once, during a video appointment. It took a moment to recognize him when he walked into the pre-op room, but his smiling eyes comforted us and his easy banter eased our nerves. Even after the surgery, when he spoke with me in the small consultation room, he was understanding and compassionate. He explained the surgery and the next steps and even apologized that we would have to endure the early days of recovery over a normally fun, festive summer holiday weekend.

But when he called us at 5 o’clock on the Friday of Fourth of July weekend to say he had just received the much anticipated pathology report, his empathy blew us away. He said he didn’t want us to have to wait until Tuesday and he wanted to make sure we knew as soon as the results were in. Pathology found no signs of cancer in the two biopsied lymph nodes that this surgeon had removed. It was news we had been afraid to hope for, but the word “negative” brought tears to our eyes, smiles to our faces and prayers of gratitude to our hearts.

Surely this surgeon was as anxious for a long weekend as we were. Surely he had plans to get away, relax and not think about cancer or surgery or even recovery. But this surgeon went beyond compassion, beyond sympathy to empathize with our situation and to do everything in his power to make it better. In doing so, this surgeon, this Wolverine is unrivaled.

When football season begins again in a month or so, James and I will pull out our green shirts and sweatshirts and we will joke around with friends and family over which team is better. And in a head to head match up on the field, we will still be cheering for the Spartans. But we will always know what kind of winners Wolverines can be off the field, when it really matters. And we will forever be blessed by that very thing.