What a weekend! I spent most of it with physician colleagues, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and sharing strategies and pearls about leadership and physician wellness from the main stage. I also enjoyed the opportunity to address residency program coordinators and had the unexpected blessing of reconnecting with someone from residency I hadn’t seen for over twenty years. Wow! This brought back memories of my first child, who was born as I finished residency (in a program I loved!) and is graduating from college this month. Time sure flies!
During an informal table discussion, we shared challenges from practice as well as tips to stay healthy and lead our teams more effectively. As is so often the case, we learned from each other and left refreshed, with a renewed sense of hope that we can find small ways to maximize our well-being and effectiveness each day, especially if we stay connected to one another and let someone we trust know how we’re really doing.
During the small group discussions, I had the unexpected blessing of meeting the physician who designed a clinical resource I used as a medical student (a long time ago!) while rotating at a hospital in Pennsylvania. This was a pocket-sized House Officer book (remember those?!) for med students and residents to use while caring for children during the rotation. It was thorough, accurate, and so helpful that I’ve kept it all these years to remember that special time! Meeting this physician made me even more grateful for the gift of a solid foundation in education and training.
Other unexpected blessings included the honor of being introduced by the recipient of the 2019 Elizabeth Blackwell Award (Dr. Alma Littles), a leader whom I admire and love, and sharing the weekend with dear friends who encourage me to continue to be courageous as I work to help change the culture of medicine. I also enjoyed hearing from medical students and residents and considering ways to continue to meet their unique needs. Despite the many challenges we face in medicine, it is so inspiring to see so much meaningful work being accomplished in so many different settings and ways, each of us using our various gifts to benefit others.
As always, I am grateful for every opportunity to inspire and empower my colleagues, and very thankful for the blessings I receive by spending time with people so dedicated to serving people with excellence. Physician colleagues, as you continue to care for others…
Remember to be good to yourself!
I loved your talk! It was refreshing, important and so inspiring to all of us in medicine these days. I love how you take a stand for our value as physicians. I like how you speak the facts and are not afraid. If was perfect, at least for me. Loved how you addressed what physician burnout is and how to identify it in ourselves as well as our colleagues. How it looks to be well rounded and truly healthy in mind and spirit. What I am learning as well is how to be whole and complete. Thanks for teaching us how to be good to ourselves while we still take care of others. Inspiring & Hopeful. Thanks 2 U.
So very glad to hear you found the presentation hopeful, practical, encouraging. It’s so much easier when we encourage and empower one another! So glad you were there. Thank you for your words!