Why did you decide to become a doctor? Was it to help others, to challenge yourself, to make a living — or some combination of all three? If you are like most physicians I know, the answer is layered and deeply personal. Now pause and ask yourself a harder question: why do you hold the […]
Ah, the familiar dance of New Year’s resolutions. As physicians, we are motivated, goal-oriented, hard-working, lifelong learners. But when it comes to setting resolutions — we have 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. Here is the truth: […]
The smell of simmering clam chowder still takes me back to my grandparents’ kitchen on Christmas Eve. As a physician who has spent countless holidays on call, I have learned that these cherished family traditions are not just childhood memories — they are lifelines that help us maintain our humanity in the demanding world of […]
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 […]
Updated April 202 Embracing Calm Amidst Global and Healthcare Turmoil Chaos is all around us. Every time I watch the news, check my phone, or look at my email, it feels like there is a new crisis and that everything could fall apart at any moment. The usual stresses of today’s world are overwhelming on […]
Beyond Finances: The Essential Soft Skills for Physician Success and Financial Security Since I began my medical training, I always assumed I would work as a physician, caring for patients in the clinical setting and never considered for a moment, that I may not be able to or want to do so for my entire […]
“I want you to try something different this week.” I sat in the chair and nodded my head in response. At this point, I’d tried therapy, medications, meditation, exercise, and taking time off. Although all of them had some degree of benefit, if I’m being honest, nothing really significantly changed how I felt. Both my […]
A Nostalgic Look at the Traditional Family Doctor During my childhood, I saw a good, old-fashioned family doctor, Dr. Wiedemeyer. Dr. Wiedemeyer worked closely with his dedicated nurse, Dolores. I clearly remember sitting in his waiting room on those sticky vinyl chairs, surrounded by dark wood-paneled walls. The air always had a sharp, clean smell […]
When Duty Calls: Conflicting Personal and Professional Values As I sat in the hospital waiting room, my mind bounced between worrying about my dad and feeling guilty about the work I was missing. My dad was undergoing a heminephrectomy, and I had taken time off to be with him and support my mom. Despite having […]
As physicians, we’re no strangers to stress. From the daily demands of our profession to the broader challenges facing our world, it can sometimes feel like we’re constantly swimming against the current. But what if I told you that the key to navigating these choppy waters lies within you? That’s right, the very qualities that […]
