Navigating cancer care can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like no one understands what's truly important to you. Recently, I had a consultation with a man battling advanced bladder cancer who felt lost and unsupported by his medical team. After discussing his priorities, we discovered his biggest concern was…
What really happened during President Biden's debate? As his doctor, it's my responsibility to figure out why he performed the way he did. Why didn't he call his defense secretary by his first name, but by his race instead? Being a doctor is a 24/7 job, and sometimes the most…
I really have to come out and tell you, medical school in the eighties was a different world for someone in the LGBTQ community. I wasn't taught anything about it, and even as a queer person, I never shared my sexuality. The fear of the unknown was real, and my…
In this episode, we sit down with Caissa Troutman, an obesity medicine and family physician, to delve into the pervasive stigma and shame associated with obesity and perimenopause. Caissa shares her personal experiences and patient stories, highlighting the external and internal stigmas faced by individuals with obesity. We explore common…
Is it fair to make speculations about President Biden's diagnosis just through television and newspapers? In this video, I explore the complexities of diagnosing public figures and how telemedicine has changed the landscape. We'll look at the Barry Goldwater rule and discuss whether it's possible to identify certain symptoms from…
Imagine having the weight of someone's life in your hands every single day. As a doctor, that's my reality, and I take that responsibility seriously. When my health began to falter, I had to make the tough decision to step away, knowing I couldn't give my best to my patients.…
We welcome Jennifer Obel, an oncology physician, who shares her personal journey of retiring from a fulfilling medical career due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Reflecting on the recent presidential debate and the health concerns surrounding President Biden, Jennifer draws compelling parallels between her experience and the challenges faced by leaders in…
Recruiting and retaining women physicians in Alabama is a significant challenge that we're actively working to overcome. Currently, women make up only 25% of the physician workforce here, and attracting new doctors, especially to rural areas, remains difficult. We focus on improving conditions for rural practice, expanding Medicaid to support…
We sit down with Carrie Atcheson, a board-certified anesthesiologist and co-founder of Business Mindset MD, to explore the transformative potential of physician-led innovation in health care. We delve into how the acquisition of physician practices and surgery centers by major corporations like UnitedHealth Group is reshaping patient care, and the…
Allyship isn't just a title; it's about rolling up your sleeves and taking action. In this video, I discuss how pediatricians and physicians play a critical role in being sanctuaries for LGBT+ patients. Many of these young individuals face rejection and lack of support at home, making their visits to…
Your personal passions can make you a better doctor. Don't underestimate the power of your interests, no matter how unrelated they might seem to medicine. Whether it's AI-generated art, painting, or writing poetry, there's always something valuable you can bring back to the field of medicine. These creative pursuits can…
Imagine facing a serious illness and feeling like no one understands what truly matters to you. I recently consulted with a man dealing with advanced bladder cancer, frustrated with his care. He was on the right treatment, but the emotional burden on his daughter, who lived far away, was overwhelming.…
In this episode, we explore the complexities of the doctor-patient relationship in a challenging setting with our guest, Joseph Baskin, a jailhouse psychiatrist. Joseph shares his experiences working with inmates who suffer from serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder. These individuals often lack insight into their own…
Did you know that more than 50% of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders with lung cancer are non-smokers? Even more startling, 90% of Chinese American female non-smokers with lung cancer are exactly that—non-smokers, including myself. Ongoing studies in Asia and the U.S. still haven't pinpointed why this specific…
Understanding what truly matters to patients can transform their healthcare journey. Start with the personal health inventory, a tool we've adapted from the Veterans administration for broader use, including oncology settings. It takes less than 30 minutes and fits perfectly into the intake process. By discussing their priorities, we help…
Join pediatrician Uchenna Umeh as she shares her personal journey and professional insights on creating a more inclusive and affirming health care environment for LGBTQ+ patients. We delve into the challenges transgender individuals face in medical settings, the importance of understanding intersectionality, and practical strategies for health care providers to…
What if you could apply the lessons from one field to excel in another? During my undergrad years studying psychology, I worked with Professor Dean Simonton, an expert in creativity and genius. He was passionate about understanding what made someone truly exceptional in their field, regardless of the discipline. This…
Understanding cancer treatment means looking beyond the tumor to the whole person. In this video, I summarize a book my colleague, Alyssa McManaman, and I wrote about integrating whole person care into cancer treatment. We discuss how the industry often focuses solely on eliminating cancer cells, driven by fear rather…
Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the world of creativity and wellness with Charity Hix, a burnout and wellness coach, and Kim Downey, a physician advocate and physical therapist. We explore how nurturing creativity within the medical field can help mitigate burnout, enhance problem-solving abilities, and…
Imagine a world where healthcare feels personal and accessible, not a massive, bureaucratic maze. In the U.S., healthcare has ballooned into a gigantic industry, but it doesn't have to be this way. Think back 100 years in America, when doctors were solo practitioners and hospitals were run by local communities…
Catching lung cancer early can be a lifesaver, especially for non-smokers. I was incredibly fortunate to be diagnosed at stage one, with no spread to my lymph nodes. This meant I didn’t need chemotherapy and underwent a curative right upper lobe resection. I've been on targeted therapy, and I’m set…
What if the secrets to genius could cross the boundaries between fields? As an undergrad studying psychology, I had the chance to learn from Dean Simonton, an expert in creativity and genius. He was fascinated by geniuses, regardless of their fields, and aimed to understand what made them exceptional. This…
In this episode, we sit down with Francisco M. Torres, an interventional physiatrist and author of Beyond Diagnosis: Perspective in Medicine and the Human Experience. Join us as we explore the theme of humanizing medicine in an era of increasing standardization and technological advancement. We discuss the profound influence of…
Bonuses and benefits can be game-changers in your compensation package. Your bonus is the reward for hitting a specific target, like a signing bonus or improving hospital readmission rates. These are straightforward but impactful. Then there are the bennies that don't go into your bank account but can significantly enhance…