self-care
Back to School Mom – A Decade Later: Trauma Surgery Fellowship with Teenagers
By: Dr. Evelyn Coile The house is silent. The house is silent for the first time in the last 16 years of training. Both kids received the news this week that they landed their first summer jobs. My husband and I finally sit staring at each other---no one to cook for or entertain. My eldest son, now a licensed driver, is taking control of the drop-offs with me closely watching a Life360 app and praying for constant safety. Previously, drop-offs were mostly handled by my husband. From community college night classes while working, to attending medical school, followed by a vigorous surgical residency, I was not available for drop-offs. It is quite ironic that as I look back now (as most parents do at this phase), I wish I had made it to more drop-offs. To wish them a “Happy Day Ahead!” To ask them “How Was Your Day?” It...
Pride in the Operating Room: How the Structure of Surgical Residency Can Keep Us in the Closet
By: W. Tyler Crawley Pride in residency is difficult, especially in surgery. How you are evaluated and how you are able to participate within the operating room are directly decided by the attending surgeon. Meaning that how you are viewed by an attending can impact not only your clinical experience but also your advancement within the program. This creates a power dynamic in which residents are put in a position to “get along” in order to “go along.” This is problematic for two reasons; the first is that it discourages residents from speaking up, whether that be an inappropriate joke, an inaccurate statement, or even something as simple as misgendering a patient. Personally, when I was an auditioning medical student and starting my surgical training, I was very discreet when it came to my personal life, especially around attendings. I heard many jokes and false narratives about the LGBTQIA+ community,...
Progress of LGBTQ+ Rights – A View from One of America’s Youth
By: Alexis Moren The progress of LGBTQ+ rights has seen significant advancements globally, although challenges remain. Over the past few decades, there have been major milestones such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, gender identity rights, parenting rights, and the LGBTQ+ community serving openly in the military. Despite these advances, challenges persist. I have been part of conversations discussing how lucky we are to live during this time. This sparked my curiosity – are we? Do LGBTQ+ kids and teens feel this way? I have the pleasure of being close to a pre-teen trans girl who dreams of becoming both a trauma surgeon and a published author. I asked her to tell us about her journey and her aspirations. “I am trans. This does not define me but it sure plays an important part in many aspects of my life; I have been bullied at school, had to keep my identity...
Being Vulnerable is Human; Even for Surgeons
By: Cathy Hung In the earlier years of my career, I always tried to accommodate patients’ needs anytime, all the time, whenever possible. I opened my office many times off-hours at the slightest concern of patients with complaints of bleeding or pain. One time, I rerouted my weekend day trip when my son was still a toddler. We planned to take him to a museum, but as soon as I got called, my family drove one hour back for me to see a consult while my family waited in the parking lot outside the emergency room, only to find out that it was a routine consult with no urgency what-so-ever. I jumped whenever someone called me off-hours. After all, I pride myself as a caring human and a good doctor. The fight-and-flight responses were by-products of being trained at a level-one trauma center during my residency. I would be frisked...
Exercise and Fitness During Medical School
By: Amber Park The way physicians provide care for their patients versus the way physicians care for themselves has been one of the most controversial and puzzling concepts I have yet to grasp. The undeniable hours and extent of effort we put into our studies and work can interfere with our ability to work out. However, I have realized that much of the disconnect truly comes from what we prioritize and how we schedule our days. As a former athlete, I have the advantage of knowing what kinds of exercises I like and can do in the gym. I know what has fueled my love for fitness. Given this background, I wanted to provide some tips for medical students, residents/fellows, and attendings who might not have had the same experience as myself in terms of learning about nutrition, scheduling, and the types of workouts that we can be doing. Nutrition...
Beating Burnout: Tips
By Dra. Elizabeth Perazza Valentin, FACS Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication- Leonardo Da Vinci Greetings esteemed colleagues: Surgeons have long experienced a culture of silence when it comes to their personal pain. We have a reputation as stoic, determined, and driven. What can we do to prevent burnout and more importantly if we have suffered it what do we do to recover? How do we heal? In a field where we dedicate ourselves to caring for others, it's easy to overlook our own needs. Over the next few moments, I invite you to explore a series of transformative tips designed not only to manage burnout but to invigorate our commitment to exceptional patient care and personal fulfillment. Let's embark on this journey together, discovering how we can cultivate resilience, restore balance and ultimately enhance the quality of both our professional lives. Welcome to our discussion that I believe will resonate...
Heels of Steel, Hands of a Healer, Heart of a Mother
By Dr. Smruti K Patel 7:30 am. 15 blade. Incision. Bovie. Bipolar. Number one Penfield. Drill. Irrigation. Suction. Bipolar. 11 blade. 7 suction. Bipolar. The words, the commands, they are automatic. The muscle memory of opening, turning a craniotomy, hemostasis, irrigation, closing - it is all automatic. From start to finish, before every surgery, I am prepared. I have played this out in my mind. What I need, what I want, what the anatomy is supposed to look like, what I’m supposed to do if something untoward happens, what all the possibilities are. These are what neurosurgeons’ dreams are made of. These are what our nightmares are made of. Some may say it is unhealthy. I say - for some of us, the night before surgery is the when I can close my eyes and see what I need my hands to do tomorrow. 3:30 am - I hear the...
From Barbies to Blades: Reflections on a Barbie Society
By: Shannon Small “Mommy, so does Barbie have a vagina now?” My 3.5-year-old daughter has been excited to see the Barbie movie since we saw the first preview last summer. So when it came out, we both dressed in our Barbie best and went to see what I can only describe as a tragically accurate depiction of the life of women in this country both as my inner child dreamt of, and as my 42 year old grown self now inhabits. My daughter saw everything I could have wished for- Barbies as scientists, doctors, writers, Supreme Court Justices, and her personal favorite, (especially as a little brown skinned girl), President. She gasped in righteous indignation as Ken took over Barbie’s dream house “that is BARBIE’S house- he needs to LEAVE Mommy!”, and applauded when Barbie rebuked an advance from Ken “no one should touch you without permission!”. Her excitement at...
Balancing a Career as a Surgeon-Scientist
By: Kavitha Ranganathan, MD Satisfaction in one’s career can come from a variety of places. In fact, most of the time, it has to come from a variety of places. Don’t place all your eggs in one basket, they say. While a surgical career is unparalleled in the achievement of instant gratification, the daily reminder that healthcare isn’t perfect can also be a source of mental exhaustion. Being a surgeon-scientist is one way to address this. The scientist part of this career choice allows you to balance your short- and long-term visions, and amplify your contributions to the next generation. Importantly, however, it can be challenging to balance a clinical career alongside research acumen and productivity. Protecting your time for research and clinical care, securing grant funding, and staying resilient amidst unique challenges in two different worlds is tough. Below are some tips I believe to be helpful for those...
Making the Most of Your Research Year
By: Charlotte Berry Research years during medical school are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among students interested in surgical subspecialties. Data support the notion that medical students who take research years are more likely to remain academically productive throughout their careers. As a student between MS3 and MS4, currently wrapping up the first year of a two-year research fellowship, I have been reflecting on what has worked well for me, the best advice I have received, and what I wish I had known when I first started. Balance productivity and personal well-being Compared to the structured environments of lecture halls or hospital wards, research time offers more flexibility and allows you to take leadership over your schedule. While it's important to be dedicated to your research, do not neglect your personal well-being. Taking care of yourself will contribute to your overall productivity and happiness during your research year. When you are...
