The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned. Wisdom Shared.

Have you ever thought you heard a familiar tune, perhaps out shopping, or on a walk, at a loud party, or in a noisy restaurant? In this episode, Dr White recounts a chance conversation he had with a stranger on a trip, occurring in a most unlikely place and circumstance. The exchange brings up a number of relevant topics, such as listening, purpose, commitment, advocacy, and career, and in a rathe...

In this episode, Dr Thomas White welcomes Dr Andrea DeSantis, a Family Physician from Charlotte NC, to the podcast. Hear Dr DeSantis describe her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia with strong family ties and traditions, the impact of her grandfather's family doctor's house calls, her early career in the hospitality industry, her ultimate decision to pursue medicin...

In this new "mini lesson" we discuss the topic of the new patient coming in for their first visit to their new doctor. Listen to an (almost) real story about the experience of one of Dr White's former patients. Some very wise NC Family Physicians weigh in with their perspectives, leading to five lessons to consider. We hope you find this episode on a topic not commonly discussed bot...

In this episode, we continue to explore the topic of "Time" and "Balance." Listen to Dr White's discussion with Dr Ben Aiken, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the MAHEC Family Medicine Residency who now leads Lantern Health, a direct primary care practice with two locations in Asheville NC. Dr Aiken shares the lessons he has learned in his first job as a "juggler&quo...

Welcome back to the podcast as ice melts and schools reopen here in North Carolina!  In this episode, Dr White talks with Dr "Takie" Hondros, a well-known family physician from Charlotte and former President of the NCAFP. The topic is a challenging one for physicians: creating and sustaining "balance" in one's professional life. Dr White leads off with a poignant lesson he...

As we close out 2025, and prepare to bring in 2026, Dr White reviews our episodes from the past year, providing a summary for each, and some memorable lessons and quotes. He goes on to share five gifts - five concepts with renewed appreciation - that he received as the result of these episodes and his reflection over the past year: namely, Relationships, Learning, Professionalism, Leadership, and...

"Learning" is essential for everyone, no matter what age or pursuit, but especially important for Family Physicians, who strive to provide informed, up-to-date, and compassionate care in an environment of rapidly-growing knowledge and discovery. In this episode, Dr Thomas White highlights the upcoming 2025 NCAFP Annual Winter Meeting in Asheville, a source of continuing education for man...

In this episode, Dr Thomas White explores the concept of "Leadership" - why it matters, how it is expressed, when it is needed, and whether it can learned and cultivated. Learn a bit of Olympic sports history and hear about his experience at the recent American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates in Anaheim, California. The highlight of this episode is a very insightful in...

Welcome back! We are excited to share a new episode, and a revised format. Ever think there might be a connection between nicknames and a commonly-used term in health care? Listen, and find out! This month, Dr Thomas White addresses the term "PCP" - its history, its positive and negative connotations, and (spoiler alert!) why he wishes the term would go away. He interviews two of our pop...

Our podcast "The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared" will be pausing for the summer, allowing us to re-evaluate what we are doing, and how we are doing it. We have been very proud of our work, and very grateful to our guests and listeners.  Go back and listen to any episodes you may have missed. Or maybe your favorite one again. Visit our website, https://thefamilydoctorpodcas...

In this "mini-lesson" episode, Dr Thomas White explores the topic of trust, a fundamental element of the physician-patient relationship, and how trust in the medical establishment, including physicians, has deteriorated in recent years. He begins with a very personal family story. He goes on to share some common examples of distrust in daily practice, and offers suggestions on how we as...

In this episode of The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared, Dr Thomas White speaks with Dr Mark McNeill, the current President of the NCAFP. Raised in Raeford NC from a family of educators, Dr McNeill describes his journey to establishing his unique, independent, patient-centered, portal-facilitated practice in Asheville in 2012. He clearly describes how good practice management is the k...

In this edition of the podcast, Dr Thomas White talks with Dr Brian Lanier, the founder, owner, and medical director of Promina Health in Wilmington NC. Dr Lanier shares his experiences as a young man growing up in eastern NC, his early interest in music, his somewhat bumpy college career, his service as a Marine, his life-changing automobile accident, and his decision to pursue a career in medici...

"It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is Time" - Steve Jobs. This Family Doctor "mini lesson" focuses on the subject of "Time"  as it relates to the education of Family Physicians, and to the day-to-day practice of Family Medicine. Dr White shares a very personal story about his career after nearly 40 years in practice. His story may reso...

In this month's episode, Dr Thomas White speaks with Dr Rebecca "Becky" Love from Shelby NC. Dr Love's journey has been unique. She grew up in rural Cabarrus County, the daughter of a minister and a teacher. After a successful career in banking and finance, she pursued a career in medicine. She has served her community as a Family Physician, providing care to the underserved an...

This month the podcast welcomes Dr Carson Rounds, a Family Physician from Charlotte NC and long time leader in Family Medicine in our state. A former president of the NCAFP, Dr Rounds shares his perspectives on truly caring for patients, his love of the exam room, and his ideas on administrative burden. You will be impressed with not only his "answers" but even more so by the "quest...

Dr Tommy Newton of Clinton N.C. returns to the podcast this month! Listen as he and Dr Thomas White discuss Dr Newton’s professional and personal activities since he retired from clinical practice in 2021, his perspectives on when and how to retire, his belief in the value of mentoring and serving as a mentor, and his views on the future of Family Medicine. Notably, Dr Newton pays tribute to the “...

How do we get through difficult times? In this "Mini Lesson," Dr Thomas White shares the teachings of a major college basketball coach on the importance of her players "handling harder better". Dr White goes on to explore the concept of "resiliency", which we have heard examples of many times on this podcast. He expands that to the the broader concept of "grit.&q...

"The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared" is back, and you will be the beneficiary! In this episode Dr Thomas White talks with Dr Shauna Guthrie, a Family Physician in Henderson NC and former President of the NCAFP. You will love hearing about her very famous grandfather and dedicated grandmother, and their contributions to medicine and health care in the Midwest. You will be r...

Pearls are considered synonymous with beauty and perfection. Pearls are coveted and considered valuable. In this month's podcast, Dr Thomas White shares "clinical pearls" gleaned from wise colleagues, pearls intended to help us be better clinicians in the exam room and at the bedside. You will find this episode to be both practical and inspiring. Listen, reflect, and add these to yo...

This month Dr White talks with Dr Bill Dennis, a now-retired Family Physician from Henderson NC. Hear Dr Dennis's fond memories of his childhood, his career role models, his first career as a journalist, and his determined achievement of a life's goal to become a physician. You will appreciate his sense of humor, his storytelling, and his deep appreciation of serving as the personal phys...

This month Dr Thomas White talks with another one of his mentors and role models - Dr. Christopher "Reb" Snyder. This is a very honest, heart-felt, introspective conversation, which will assist all physicians in their personal journey to be present for their patients, to provide comfort when needed, and to care for themselves and avoid the all-too-common tragedy of professional "bur...

In this episode of "The Family Doctor," we chat with Dr. William Hedrick, who recently retired after 61 years in practice in the same location in Raleigh. Listen as we learn about Dr. Hedrick's journey into family medicine, and how he developed his own "residency" with training in internal medicine, OB-Gyn, psychiatry, and pediatrics before the advent of actual Family Medi...

How does the Family Physician make an effective referral? How does the Family Physician create and foster beneficial relationships with subspecialty colleagues in the medical community? How do we negotiate with our patients regarding consultations? What is the role of office staff to facilitate referrals? How have these issues changed over the years? In this month's podcast, Drs White and Bea...

In May of 2023, Family Medicine lost a friend, a mentor, a leader, a trailblazer, a remarkable human being.  Dr. Jim Jones was a respected community family doctor who practiced full scope medical care, a revered educator instrumental in establishing the medical school at East Carolina University, and a leader in both North Carolina and American Family Medicine.   In short, Dr. Jim Jones was a gian...