The ‘Patient as Professor’ session is certainly one of the highlights of the cardiology course at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In listening to the journey of a patient with amyloidosis from diagnosis through treatment, the pathophysiology of a disease process is suddenly brought to life in the stories and insights shared by our wonderful guest speaker. The students gain a deep appreciation for the many physical, emotional, social, and financial implications of chronic disease. As future leaders in healthcare, this invaluable experience also inspires our students to pursue clinical and research activities to advance the field of medicine and improve the lives of patients with chronic illness.