“What is your favorite homemade food?” I ask each patient. Almost always, there is a smile, and the conversation takes off from there. Moms light up describing their special dishes. Patients giggle when I suggest, “Should we have your mom make some for us to share?” Younger kids look at their moms with wide eyes, wondering if it could really happen. Those moments, those faces, are priceless; and they carry me through the rest of my day.
This is one of my favorite icebreakers. In multicultural encounters especially, food becomes a way to move past language barriers and show a genuine desire to learn about each other beyond illness. These openings create a shared humanity and invite families to talk more freely. Soon I am hearing treasured recipes, seeing photos of meals, and sometimes even tasting the real thing when it makes a surprise appearance at clinic.
Food is a universal language. It transcends barriers and carries us across space and time. A taste or smell can summon holidays, family traditions, and beloved people. Sharing these stories builds belonging, a reminder that, at our core, we are people connecting with people.
Growing up in Argentina in the 1980s, my mom was practical above all else. Our kitchen had not one but two microwaves, while the oven stood by almost unused. Instant mashed potatoes were a regular side dish. I still remember visiting friends at age 10, tasting homemade mashed potatoes for the first time, and exclaiming, “Ewww, this tastes like potato!” The room erupted in laughter when they realized I had never tried the real thing.
Even the simplest dish, made with love, can stir the strongest memories. It is not the complexity but the emotion behind it that lasts. “If you doubt it, just ask my daughters about the ‘handcrafted’ crackers and cream cheese towers they still remember.” Now teenagers, they carry those snacks with them, not just as food, but as part of the story of their upbringing, something they may pass on one day.
That is the beauty of food. A simple dish can carry the weight of memory, laughter, and connection. When I sit with patients and hear about the meals that remind them of home, I see their shoulders relax. I see tension fading away, replaced by warmth and a distinct glow that comes with the excitement of sharing and connecting. Medical discussions pause, replaced by pride and joy as families describe their origins and traditions. In a time when differences can make us anxious or defensive, there is something uniquely empowering about hearing patients speak with joy about their cultural roots. Food becomes a bridge: from mother to child, from past to present, from kitchen table to hospital room. Over the years, I have heard about Mexican pork, Salvadoran pupusas, plantain chips, Indian namak para, spaghetti with meat sauce, white rice with fish, and, of course, mac and cheese. I am still waiting, though, for someone to share my affection for the smooth, buttery, potato-less taste of instant mashed potatoes.
A meal, a memory, a laugh, these are the ingredients that help us heal together. Each exam room offers a rare chance to be fully present, and choosing a smile and a story always wins. We may not always be able to cure, but we can always connect, and if we are fortunate, we might even share a meal. Joy, like a homemade dish, is best when served together. In sharing it, we offer more than food; we offer a piece of ourselves. I learned that first at home, from a mother whose practical meals still linger in memory, not for their perfection, but for the love they carried.
Diego R. Hijano is a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Born and raised in Argentina, he blends clinical expertise with a deep commitment to human connection, particularly in the bone marrow transplant and oncology units, where he supports patients and families through some of medicine’s most challenging moments. Dr. Hijano’s work focuses on advancing compassionate, equitable, and effective care while shaping institution-wide improvements in healthcare delivery. His research contributions can be explored via his NCBI bibliography, and more about his career is available on his LinkedIn and Bluesky.
