The Unexpected Teacher: An 8-Pound Lesson in Joy Kittle, a feisty Tibetan terrier-poodle mix named after former Iowa Hawkeye and current San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, arrived weighing just eight pounds. What started as a simple decision to fill the emptiness left by our beloved dogs, Stanzi and Moe, became an unexpected journey […]
Have you ever left a multidisciplinary team meeting feeling unheard, frustrated, and convinced that no progress was made? If so, you’re not alone. Many healthcare professionals face challenges when it comes to communicating effectively with colleagues. While 89% of physicians excel at patient communication, only 34% feel confident communicating with their peers. This gap in […]
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong as a doctor, despite years of hard work, training, and accomplishments? Like at any moment, someone might discover you’re not as good as everyone thinks you are? If this resonates, you’re not alone. These feelings are symptoms of imposter syndrome, a phenomenon many high-achieving professionals face. But […]
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, mind racing, worried and patients and administrative tasks, and the growing fear that you’ve forgotten why you became a doctor in the first place? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. The Hidden Truth About Physician Burnout That No One Talks […]
The Daily Reality of Medical Practice I struggled to detach the pager from my scrub pants. It was a never-ending battle between the force of gravity, the 3 pagers clipped to the scrub pants waistband, and the pants drawstring. I didn’t have much confidence in the drawstring. I pulled the pants up with one hand, […]
Why is saying no so hard? It is a short 2, letter word that is easy to spell and pronounce yet can be remarkably hard to say. It has a clear definition but its meaning isn’t always clear. As physicians, we are dedicated to the well-being of others. Our days are filled with patient care, […]
After mentoring hundreds of students through their medical school journey, I’ve 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 in the room nods […]
“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 […]
Ah, the familiar dance of New Year’s resolutions! As physicians, we’re motivated, goal-oriented, hard-working, life-long learners. But when it comes to setting New Year’s resolutions- we’ve all been there – ambitious declarations of “I’ll exercise daily” or “I’ll achieve perfect work-life balance” that fade faster than our morning coffee buzz. But here’s the truth: only […]
The holiday season is upon us, and finding the perfect gift ideas for the physician in your life can be both exciting and challenging. Physicians are superheroes in white coats, dedicating their lives to caring for others. But even heroes need a little something to help them unwind and maintain a healthy balance between their […]
