When I was a brand-new doctor, I was fresh, eager, and determined to succeed. I grew up poor, so I worked and worked—full-time during the week and taking travel assignments on weekends to make ends meet. Many of these travel assignments were in areas with less diverse populations, places where I was often the only Black doctor in the hospital.
One such assignment took me to Hannibal, Missouri, the …
Why diversity in medicine saves lives
I was an aspiring internist, then became an aesthetic physician, and now I am preparing to train abroad. This is the story of how I had to make life-changing decisions as a doctor to survive in this ever-changing world.
In August 2020, as a fifth-year medical student, I experienced my first doctor’s strike. I remember standing under the scorching summer sun, chanting slogans in protest. The conflict? A standoff between medical …
Defining my own future: a doctor’s journey through health care turmoil
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Family physician Laura Suttin discusses her KevinMD article, “An argument against time management.” In this episode, Laura explores the pressures physicians face in trying to adhere to strict time management practices, which …
Rethinking time management: Finding balance in a physician’s life [PODCAST]
We, as physicians, dedicate years to rigorous education and training to excel in our chosen specialties. We endure periods of sleepless nights, poor nutrition, personal sacrifices, time constraints, and modest pay. For many, this journey is further compounded by the significant burden of student loan debt. We do this with the expectation that we will be able to make up for lost time later. Yet, too often, when financial stability …
Moving into the new year, I’m carrying forward the lessons that help me stay aligned with my goals and take meaningful action. But this time, I’m doing it differently. I’m moving with ease and flow. The years of stress and striving? That phase of my life is over, and I am fully embracing a new way of being.
How do I know?
Because stress does not serve me. …
Transform your year: How movement and self-care change everything
In 2023, Peggy, a vibrant 63-year-old woman, entered my life under the most challenging of circumstances. She was diagnosed with inv(3) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive and relentless disease, and faced a grim prognosis. From our very first conversation, I knew Peggy was different. She exuded strength, determination, and an unyielding zest for life.
AML with inv(3) is a rare and particularly life-threatening subtype of acute leukemia associated with primary …
Beyond chemotherapy: a story of resilience, faith, and quality of life
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Practicing internist and psychiatrist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his KevinMD article, “The criminal enforcement of HIPAA.” In this episode, Muhamad delves into the escalating electronic breaches of protected health information and the lack of accountability for large organizations responsible for these violations. He highlights several high-profile cases where physicians …
Why are only physicians prosecuted under HIPAA? [PODCAST]
No one knows for sure what’s coming in health care in the months ahead, but one thing is clear: The landscape in 2025 will undoubtedly be changing—and challenging. For physicians and others working in such fields, this is not new but an acceleration of recent trends. External factors, like the COVID-19 pandemic, and internal, more systemic ones have increasingly taken power away from doctors—impacting everything from patient care to physician …
Advancing health care through physician leadership: 5 skills for changing health care
As a third-year medical student pursuing both an MD and an MS in public policy, I am often asked, “Why add another graduate degree when medicine is already so demanding?” Wrapping up my first semester of policy graduate school, I’ve been reflecting on that choice. For those considering applying to dual-degree programs, this is a time to ask not only where you want to go but how you can make …
Why pursue a dual degree in medicine and policy?
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Fertility specialist Oluyemisi Famuyiwa discusses her KevinMD article, “The rise of at-home hormone tests: a double-edged sword for patients.” In this episode, Yemi explores the surge in popularity of at-home hormone testing …
Navigating the complexities of at-home hormone tests [PODCAST]
As a pathology resident, much of my time is spent looking down a microscope, searching for clues that will guide a final diagnosis. Some diseases, however, cannot be seen at 100x magnification. Mental illness is one such disease. Its impact is profound, yet it often remains invisible to the naked eye. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that one in five adults in the U.S. lives with …
First, do no harm: Now is the time to fight mental health stigma and advocate for residency reform
Introduction
Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10 percent of reproductive-age women and is a leading cause of infertility. Despite its significant impact, it remains underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms linking endometriosis and infertility, current treatment strategies, and the role of dietary and lifestyle interventions in optimizing reproductive outcomes.
Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the …
Endometriosis and fertility: What every woman should know
After the world watched a health care CEO get murdered on the street, the views of the public became intriguing. Although there are more current health care concerns on our minds, the murder of the United Health Care CEO should and will continue to be reviewed and examined. The U.S. health care system is broken, and the right individuals need to learn how to fix it early in their education, …
The missing piece in medical education: Why health systems science matters
Childhood medical challenges can leave lasting imprints, not only on the child but also on those inspired to turn their personal struggles into a path of healing. This narrative explores the transformative journey of a pediatric neurologist whose early encounters with debilitating pain shaped a career rooted in empathy and innovation. Three key themes define this journey: The influence of personal adversity on career choice, the role of resilience in …
How childhood pain shaped a neurologist’s path to healing
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Orthopedic surgeon Yoshihiro Katsuura discusses his KevinMD article, “It’s not a normal job, folks: How 3 elemental forces of reality shape the profession of medicine.” In this episode, Yoshihiro, …
Innovative training strategies to reduce physician burnout [PODCAST]
The United States health care system is plagued by inefficiencies that drive up costs and limit access to care. The Department of Government Efficiency has a crucial role to play in addressing this challenge. As a physician, I often strive to practice cost-conscious care whenever possible. Three common-sense broad reforms—repealing Certificate of Need (CON) laws, implementing universal physician licensing, and advocating for site-neutral payment reform—offer significant opportunities to reduce health …
Curbing health care costs: 3 reforms for a more efficient system
What sets great physician leaders apart? How do they ensure their leadership remains sharp, effective, and impactful?
Physicians often recognize the need to refine their leadership skills when they notice breakdowns in communication, delays in response times, or a lack of team cohesion. If you’re experiencing these challenges, it may be time to evaluate how you’re engaging with your team.
A common leadership misstep
Imagine …
How to know if your leadership is effective
The most difficult transport I have ever encountered was during my pediatric critical care fellowship. I traveled to an outside hospital with a fully equipped pediatric critical care transport team, including a critical care nurse, respiratory therapist, and myself—a third-year pediatric critical care fellow—to pick up a toddler ejected from a vehicle during a high-speed collision. Upon arrival, we found a child who had undergone an open laparotomy, open clamshell …
When every second counts: the evolving challenges of pediatric transport
A large number of physicians are addicted to unhappiness. Practicing medicine is no longer fun, and they are frustrated working in an environment where they do not feel valued and appreciated. Forty percent of all physicians are looking to change their employment venue over the next two years, according to a recent survey by the AMA.
Physicians’ unhappiness is understandable.
Reimbursement by Medicare and other payors is declining, while the costs of …
Ending physicians’ addiction to unhappiness
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Dermatologist Michael Sherling discusses his KevinMD article, “Where physicians need to implement AI first.” In this episode, Michael examines the potential of artificial intelligence to alleviate administrative burdens in health care, such …
Enhancing physician practice with strategic AI tools [PODCAST]
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