Sometimes we let ‘weeds’ - very small but negative distractions, creep up and take a strong hold and become intertwined in our lives. The weeds that are obvious – different color, textures, ugly, we pull immediately when they are small. The weeds that say: I don’t belong here – those are easy to pull.
Read MoreMedicine has changed.
And the joy of medicine has changed with it.
I don’t think our current level of burnout is hopeless, and I sure as heck don’t think we should give up. I am passionate about taking a step back and evaluating how we got here, and what we can change.
Read More“Yes, you are like that,” said my husband one night as I was lamenting criticism I had heard about myself that day. “I am?” I asked, shocked, a little hurt, and angry. “You are, “ he replied. “Everyone who knows you knows this.”
Gulp.
Read MoreI lost a friend this month. She was a surgeon; she was one of us.
We lost her.
So did her patients. All the ones she helped. The ones she saved.
So did her hospital, her nurses, her techs.
So did her family. All the love, coming to a screeching halt.
Read MoreHaving never had an orchid, I was in awe. I would glance at it, its grand curves and beautiful petals, as I rushed through my kitchen. It brightened my days and bolstered my spirits. Day after day, it seemed to be perfect.
Until one day, it wasn’t.
Read MoreIf anyone has similar experiences while pulling into your garage, please let me know. I am interested in studying this unknown disease and figuring out ways to combat it. Surely, somewhere, there is someone who pulls in, jumps out of his or her car with total glee, walks in and says “Honey! I’m home!”
Right?
For the rest of us, there is hope. It’s called retirement. And graduation. In the meantime, I’ve stashed dark chocolate almonds in the console of my car.
Read MoreHow do I balance my home life with physician life?
I really want to do a research study. How do I start?
These are a few of the questions I am often asked by junior physicians, or even peer physicians. I thought I’d share with you some the top 10 pearls I share with others, as you may find something helpful.
Read MoreRecently someone asked me how I started Brave Enough. The person, a physician, wondered how I made the jump from safe, traditional academia into the world of social media and blogging about women empowerment.
“Did you have one moment? Did something happen? What was it?”
Read MoreI often speak on stages at conferences. I am often the only woman and sit on what some have called “manels”. I love to teach large groups, and I enjoy medical and leadership conferences.
I used to take pride being “the only woman” on stage.
Not anymore.
Read MoreI tell them that we need them. We need their creativity, collaboration, leadership and innovation. We need their excellence and compassion. We need their hands and their brains. We need their teamwork, ideas and scientific discovery.
Read MoreThis is one of the most raw posts I've ever written. If you are a parent...read.
Read MoreThis month my institution lost a vibrant, talented member of our team to suicide.
Most likely, if you are in healthcare, you probably are thinking of a coworker you know who also took his or her own life.
Sadly, it is not uncommon.
Read MoreMedicine requires a large number of teams. A physician may spend her day with multiple teams – made up of different groups.
Nurses. Technicians. Pharmacists. Physicians. Physical therapists. Perfusionists. Multiple people, each with different skills, must trust one another to take care of a single patient.
Read MoreMy audience understands the struggle of being pulled in a thousand directions...White Coat Diary on Doximity shared how I spend my days in and outside the hospital. The article details what I do from the time I get up to workout at 5 a.m. to when I (finally) go to bed at 10 p.m.
Read MoreI am on my first week of vacation with my kids since last August. It's nothing I'm proud of - in fact, I'm ashamed of this fact...I'm entering conference travel season, and I've been dreaming of a week away from the hospital for months. Our cardiac anesthesia team is short - getting vacation is like finding a black chevron Chanel mini.
Read MoreWe need to embrace our successes, and we need to throw our arms around our own achievements and the achievements of other women!
Read MorePhysician burnout is an epidemic. For the last several years, 50% of physicians surveyed in the United States report feeling clinical burnout, which entails emotional exhaustion, lack of personal accomplishment, and depersonalization.
Read MoreIn the aftermath of the incredible courage shown by so many women during the #metoo movement, one of the most critical things we must do is to continue the conversation, friend to friend, colleague to colleague, leader to leader.
Read MoreSeveral years ago I was on my way to pick up my son from preschool before doing an overnight shift at the hospital. As I approached a stoplight, I saw a car speed through the intersection and strike a pedestrian walking his dog. I knew instantly the man was seriously injured. I pulled my car over and rushed to help.
Read MoreMy boys often get fouled. Sometimes a player goes a little too far, and the foul seems intentional. Words are muttered, elbows are thrown, trips from behind occur.
As a parent, I have seen my boys get fouled, and foul right back.
Read More
