When I started medical school, the curriculum had just shifted to small-group case discussion. Six to ten students sat around a table every week. A faculty member graded our participation. I dreaded it. I am naturally introspective. Generally, I think before I speak, and I process internally before I respond externally. In a room that […]
I showed up to my first overnight call in a tie, a dress shirt, and khakis. The chief resident took one look at me and laughed. “Put on scrubs,” she said. “You’re going to be more comfortable.” She was right about the scrubs. She was also right, in ways I wouldn’t understand for months, about […]
Author’s Note: As a pediatric cardiologist, a medical educator, and a coach, I’ve sat on every side of the table. I’ve interviewed anxious premeds, shepherded fellows through subspecialty training, served on promotion committees, and now lead an academic division. I’m also a learning-community director who welcomes medical students on their first day of orientation and […]
Physician Development: Growth Never Stops It was a hot August day. I walked into my first day of medical school orientation wearing shorts and a T-shirt, flanked by two roommates. One roommate I had known through all of undergrad, the other I met just a few days before through an old-fashioned “roommate needed” posting on […]
Medicine teaches us how to care for patients. We also need to learn how to care for ourselves. As a pediatrician, I am trained to monitor development. At well visits, we assess growth and milestones. We ask about speech, motor development, social engagement, and cognitive progress. When something is not progressing as expected, support is […]
Dream about becoming a doctor? Good. The world needs you. But you deserve the truth: it’s a long, brutal road. It’s also one of the most meaningful careers you can choose. Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s exactly how to become a doctor today — no sugarcoating, no fluff. Follow these steps and you will […]
After mentoring hundreds of students through their medical school journeys, I have noticed a common theme. During orientation, students are told: “Medical training is a long, hard road. There will be a point when you hit a wall. Take care of yourself and ask for help when you need it.” Every student nods in agreement […]
The Hidden Emotional Cost of Being a Doctor: When Personal and Professional Grief Collide I thought I was prepared. As a pediatric cardiologist, I navigate grief and loss regularly, helping families through their darkest moments. But when I said goodbye to my beloved dog Stanzi recently, I discovered that all my professional experience hadn’t prepared […]
“I really like surgery. To be able to take someone to the operating room, fix a problem, and discharge them a few days later seems rewarding. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” The medical student sitting across from me had just completed her surgical rotation and was grappling to find her niche. This was the […]
When you meet someone new, how do you introduce yourself? Do you mention your job, your family, or your hobbies? What do you usually share? Many of us often highlight the concrete aspects of our lives, like our professions. This is especially true for doctors, who dedicate a lot of time, effort, and money to […]
