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From physician to survivor: My inspiring journey through burnout, mental illness, and triumph

Physician

June 26, 2023

I am a physician, specifically a urologist. However, what most people do not know about me is that I am a survivor of multiple suicide attempts. My essay attempts to tell my personal story—a story of burnout, mental illness, and suicide—and to discuss the shame that accompanied these experiences.

I completed my urologic residency in 1987 at Stanford University and began practicing with the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in …

More than skin deep: the importance of culturally competent care in medical education

Grace Shadid

Education

June 26, 2023

The very first patient I met in the rheumatology clinic at SUNY Downstate heard I was applying to medical school and pulled me close to her, saying, “I want you to feel the swelling in my hands.” She took great care to ensure I palpated each joint and appreciated the warmth, erythema, and “boggy” feeling imparted by the inflammation. She explained her medical history and was very specific with her …

A touching tale of hope and uncertainty in the hospital

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Education

June 26, 2023

Indeterminate. That’s the word we use when we’re unsure whether a patient will be able to survive without mechanical ventilation. We can’t say for certain that they have a good prognosis, but we can’t say they have a bad one either. A chaplain once said that those teetering between life and death can sense two things: sounds and smells. They also shared a story about a patient who woke up …

From darkness to healing: a urologist’s journey through suicidal ideation [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 25, 2023

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In this poignant podcast episode, we welcome guest William Lynes, a urologist and survivor of physician burnout, who shares his personal journey through multiple suicide attempts. Join us as we delve into the four stages of suicidal …

Unlocking the hidden potential of physician scientists: the key to research breakthroughs and health care innovation

Toyosi Onwuemene, MD

Physician

June 25, 2023

Ten years ago, as a new graduate, I sought an academic job that would protect my time for research. I was surprised to find that I was “unqualified”: I had no research funding and few published manuscripts. With these deficits, no institution was willing to give me a research job. Eventually, I was offered a clinical job that would protect my time at 20 percent. With this time, I was …

Embracing life’s unexpected turns and finding contentment along the way

Jillian Rigert, MD, DMD

Physician

June 25, 2023

I sometimes grieve the life I left behind … and that’s OK. Necessary, even.

I wonder if I got in my own way, if I tried hard enough, if I fought hard enough. What would have happened if I believed in myself? Trusted that I could accomplish what I set out to do? Accepted love …

The Little Mermaid inspires a health care revolution: Breaking silos for equitable, accessible, and innovative solutions

Erkeda DeRouen, MD

Physician

June 25, 2023

The Little Mermaid remake was recently released, and I was excited to experience the film for a few reasons. First, it was my favorite animated Disney film of all time. It came out when I was three years old, and I watched the VHS tape until it didn’t work anymore. Yes, I’m dating myself. Second, there were updated lyrics and a Black Ariel. Although it was strangely controversial that Ariel …

Treating substance use disorders in the criminal justice system [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 24, 2023

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In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we invite guest Casey Grover, an emergency physician, to explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the treatment of substance use disorders in the criminal justice system. Join us as we examine two compelling …

Unveiling the truth: How headlines shape our world and the urgent need for reliable news

Gretchen LaSalle, MD

Physician

June 24, 2023

This is a story of headlines and the power they wield for good and evil (apologies for the melodrama). Words matter, and I, for one, am frustrated with the words in headlines often doing more harm than good.

I am a family doctor whose passion in life is preventing disease. I don’t want to see my patients suffering from diabetes or heart failure, nor from a contagious disease that is preventable …

From doubts to triumph: The inspiring journey of a nocturnist doctor

Kenneth Salu, MD

Physician

June 24, 2023

As I stood there, my mentor, Dr. S, spoke in his gentle, wise voice, “Congratulations! You have been selected as the hospital’s new nocturnist.” The news hit me like a wave of disbelief, and a surge of emotions rushed through me. The competition for this position had been intense, leaving me uncertain about my chances. But now, at this moment, all those doubts were swept away. A whirlwind of feelings …

Powerful lessons from a tragic hospital incident: the importance of living wills and last goodbyes

Veronica Bonales, MD

Physician

June 24, 2023

As an emergency physician, I’m a strong proponent of living wills, POLST forms, and discussing uncomfortable topics with your loved ones. Even making decisions about your child being an organ donor, if, Heaven forbid, something happened. You never know when the “last time” might be.

A recent case I had served as a reminder of this. The patient and their spouse came to the hospital for what was supposed to be …

Understanding pelvic congestion syndrome: insights and treatments [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 23, 2023

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In this insightful podcast episode, we sit down with guest Gloria Salazar, a radiologist, to shed light on a common yet often misunderstood condition affecting women: pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). Join us as we explore the challenges …

Unveiling the remarkable journey of a doctor turned singing sensation

Sydelle Ross, MD

Physician

June 23, 2023

When I was six years old, I made a public declaration that I would become a singing doctor. I knew I wanted to be a doctor, influenced by my pediatrician, and I also loved singing. So, at that time, it made perfect sense to me that I should be able to do both when I grew up. I had a vivid vision of singing to children while taking care of …

The power of liquid biopsies and the challenge of health care disparities

Aadel Chaudhuri, MD, PhD

Conditions

June 23, 2023

Laura Nuttall was diagnosed with deadly brain cancer at the age of 18 after going for a routine eye exam. She completed an incredible bucket list, which included meeting Michelle Obama, driving a monster truck, and commanding a Royal Navy warship before ultimately succumbing to her cancer this past Monday at the age of 23.

What if her cancer had been discovered earlier through a simple blood test? Could it …

An alarming rise in military suicides: Unveiling hidden crisis and urgent need for action

Martha Rosenberg

Policy

June 23, 2023

During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, suicides among active-duty troops were frequently reported. Since then, news reports have subsided but the suicides have not. In fact, a 2022 report from the Defense Suicide Prevention Office revealed that there were more suicides in 2021 than any other year since the September 11 attacks. According to Army Times, suicide deaths among active-duty troops in 2021 “climbed …

Cracking the code of physician contracts: Mastering letters of intent [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 22, 2023

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Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Dennis Hursh, a veteran attorney with over 40 years of experience in health law. Discover the importance of letters of intent in physician contracts, their purpose, and the legal …

From failure to success: How a nurse overcame challenges and thrived in the medical field

Dale Pearce, DNP, RN

Conditions

June 22, 2023

I remember the day clearly – sitting in a convenience store parking lot after buying a pack of pencils on my way to my first day of nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Or, perhaps more realistically, I had no idea how ill-prepared I really was. As a mediocre high school student who got by with the bare minimum, I was rudely awakened when …

How one liver disease patient found hope and overcame adversity

Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH

Conditions

June 22, 2023

The first day I came to the liver service, I met Mr. S, who was struggling with complications of liver disease. In the long term, he required a TIPS procedure that would better distribute his abdominal pressure and eventually a liver transplant. He was at high risk for the procedure and was struggling to maintain the fluid restriction necessary to prepare him for it.

Mr. S was entirely despondent when I …

Breaking the chains of medical burnout: How physicians are reclaiming their well-being and transforming patient care

Kristin Yates, DO

Physician

June 22, 2023

When I was an OB/GYN intern, I made the mistake of admitting that I was able to get a short nap during my night shift. I was immediately met with comments that made it clear that rest during downtime was not something to be proud of. I felt so ashamed that once I became an attending, I was always afraid to admit when I had a relatively “easy” call shift …

Breaking barriers in health care: the power of cultural competency training [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 21, 2023

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Join us for an insightful podcast episode as we delve into the significance of cultural competency training for physicians in providing health care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Our guest, Michael Pessman, a gerontologist, shares his expertise on the …

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