I can confidently say that bringing new life into the world is truly a beautiful and fulfilling experience. Despite the challenges of scheduling and training, the personal and human rewards of this practice are immeasurable. In a world that can often seem ugly, sad, and stressful, the joy and innocence…
"As trainees, we have unpredictable schedules. Sometimes we work days; others, we work long nights. As the weekends come by, my best friend inevitably asks me: “Who’s showing up this week at work, Batman or Bruce Wayne? This week Batman is showing up to catch babies. And frankly, there’s nothing…
Just wanted to share a little lesson I learned from my backyard garden. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, certain things just don't thrive in certain spaces. That's when it's time to look for a new garden to plant those seeds. And sometimes, that means finding a new place…
As a physician, I have learned the importance of identifying areas that are not functioning optimally and stepping up as a leader to address them. While it can be uncomfortable to take on these leadership roles, it allows me to have a larger impact by helping not just one patient…
"In the emergency department I treat patients based upon my expert judgment. I can explain to you the sensitivities and specificities of the tests I order, I can detail the physiology and pathology involved in my differential diagnoses, and I can explain the rationale for each part of my treatment…
TikTok is currently similar to what Facebook was about five to seven years ago. The platform has a powerful algorithm, and it is possible for users who have only been on TikTok for a short time to create viral content that gets hundreds of thousands or even millions of views.…
I recently had a moment of realization while walking down the hospital hallway. I was chatting with a patient about the pre-surgery process and mentioned that verifying insurance is one of the first things we do. Little did I know, that conversation would be caught on camera and end up…
On this special episode, I'm on the other side of the microphone. It's an honor to be interviewed by Cory Calendine, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with a tremendous social media presence. Visit him on Instagram and TikTok @corycalendinemd. We have a conversation on the explosive growth of TikTok, its impact…
EMDR therapy is a memory-based therapy that aims to resolve unresolved traumatic memories that may be causing mental health issues. It is based on the idea that these unprocessed memories can lead to a range of physical and emotional symptoms. If you're struggling with mental health challenges and want to…
"EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy kicked off my personal transformation from a self-absorbed workaholic in an industry of (what I now view as) questionable merit into a human being making a positive contribution to the world and focused on helping others. EMDR helped me discover that my psychological…
As someone who has experience negotiating hospital contracts, I can tell you that it's all about finding the right fit. It doesn't matter how much a hospital may need a certain doctor if the contract doesn't meet their needs and expectations. Take, for example, the female interventional cardiologist I'm presenting…
As someone who has been very proactive in getting myself and my family vaccinated, I understand the importance of protecting ourselves and those around us from COVID-19. When I talk to people who are hesitant about getting vaccinated, I often point out the fact that getting vaccinated not only helps…
As a doctor, building a trusting relationship with my patients is of the utmost importance. I understand that seeking medical care can be stressful and emotional, and it is my job to provide comfort and support throughout the process. I strive to listen carefully to my patients and understand their…
"It seems too good to be true, but it is: physical activity improves every health outcome we can name. Note that some of those benefits arrive in the long term, some in the short. It’s critically important to remember that although the mortality benefits of exercise fade out at a…
Meal planning can be tough, especially when we have good intentions but end up wasting food and resources. I know I'm guilty of buying too much produce, like romaine lettuce and tomatoes, with the intention of eating a salad every day, but then ending up throwing it out because I…
As I reflect on the word "hunger," I am reminded that this is not just a problem in third world countries, but it is a reality for many people in our own country as well. Food insecurity is a major issue, with people going to bed hungry every night. It…
"I acknowledge that many problems currently plague our country. However, hunger, food insecurity, and poor health are national priorities that require an immediate and robust response. The Biden-Harris Administration’s hunger, nutrition, and health strategy answers the call for a multisector, concerted, and committed approach to improving the nation’s health. I…
As women in the workforce, especially in fields like medicine, we often feel pressure to go above and beyond and prove ourselves in order to be seen as equal to our male counterparts. But it's important to remember that it's okay to have limitations and to recognize the physiological processes…
Going through a mental illness, whether it's postpartum depression or something else, can be an isolating and confusing experience. When people try to tell us that our behavior is not normal, we may shut them out and believe that they don't understand what we're going through. But the reality is…
"I may be practicing the art of repression and washing myself of any speck of contamination that would take me back to the state from which I have come very far. My suffering of the past, today, is a mere jumble of words devoid of any color or feeling. It…
For aspiring physician entrepreneurs out there, my biggest piece of advice is to be patient. Medicine is a field where you can often see immediate results, but business is a different beast. You have to put things out there and let them take their course, even if it's not a…
The key to building individual health equity is empowering patients to take control of their own healthcare. By setting aside some of their premium in a health savings account, individuals can be prepared for unexpected medical expenses, such as those caused by inherited health conditions. At the same time, we…
"Building individual health equity starts with a commitment to price transparency. The current system favors a broader, value-based model that does not require individual fees for services. Resources are allocated based on outcomes and are dependent on complex and expensive data acquisition. In a direct pay model, the physician is…
As healthcare professionals, it's important to remember that almost all patients come to us with their own self-diagnosis. While some may be accurate, others may not be. It's our responsibility to carefully listen to our patients and try to uncover their true concerns, as they may be afraid of a…