The Worthy Physician

Send us Fan Mail We explore how a well-seasoned pediatrician, Dr. Joe Sherman, MD , shifted into coaching after recognizing a life mismatch and burnout, and how self-awareness, discernment, and self-compassion can restore a sustainable life in medicine. We share practical reflection habits, identify transferable skills, and highlight peer support that reduces isolation. • vocation versus role iden...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how chasing titles and external approval can erode health, relationships, and self-worth, and how to realign work with core values. Jillian shares a candid story of leaving surgery, surviving an eating disorder, and rebuilding a life by borrowing hope, setting boundaries, and reclaiming identity. • arrival fallacy and the myth of enough • moral injury in medicine and co...

Send us Fan Mail We explore gratitude that doesn’t silence our pain, and how to protect peace during a heavy holiday season. We name the invisible load physicians carry and practice small, honest ways to feel thanks without a performance. • difference between gratitude and guilt  • holiday expectations that drain energy  • invisible labor and emotional load at home and work  • how Thanksgiving mag...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how fear hides in perfectionism, avoidance, and imposter syndrome, and show how to turn it into values-based action. A brief breath exercise and practical prompts help you name the fear, reframe it, and choose the next right step. • fear as information, not instruction • perfectionism and avoidance in clinical life • amygdala and the physiology of fear • identity threat...

Send us Fan Mail We rethink surrender as a skill for physicians: not quitting, but aligning with reality to protect energy, clarity, and compassion. We share the serenity prayer, simple pauses, and the “just be” mindset to loosen the grip of control and reduce anxiety. • redefining surrender as strength, not defeat • the serenity prayer as a practical lens • medicine’s culture of control and its c...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how curiosity, play, and presence restore our humanity in medicine and keep clinical work meaningful. A bluegrass afternoon becomes a real-world reset that shows why fun isn’t optional for resilience, empathy, and good care. • losing curiosity under stress and paperwork • presence as a clinical skill and reset • bluegrass day as a model for restorative play • recharging...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Corrigan, co-founder of Physicians Anonymous, shares his mission to provide global peer support for physicians struggling with burnout, mental health issues, and addiction through anonymous, safe spaces where doctors can be vulnerable without fear of judgment or professional consequences. • Alarming statistics reveal 300-400 physician suicides annually in the US with burnout r...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Kaur takes us on a deeply personal journey from traditional healthcare settings to founding her own direct primary care practice, which she calls her "professional nirvana." After nearly a decade in corporate medicine, including positions at prestigious institutions, she found herself facing a critical realization: her mental health was suffering in ways that hadn&ap...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when physicians feel more like data entry specialists than healers? In this deeply reflective conversation, neonatologist Dr. Stephen DeMeo reveals how rediscovering meaningful human connections can transform both patient care and physician well-being. The NICU offers a unique healthcare environment where cutting-edge critical care intersects with deeply personal fami...

Send us Fan Mail Burnout recovery expert Scott Anderson shares counterintuitive approaches to overcome physician burnout and find a sustainable path to high achievement without sacrificing wellbeing. • Burnout involves oscillating between hypervigilance and avoidance, similar to patterns seen in PTSD • Traditional approaches like vacations and sabbaticals often worsen burnout rather than resolving...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Maha Mohamad returns to discuss authentic leadership strategies for women physicians, challenging the stereotype that women should remain silent and hold space. We explore how vulnerability enhances credibility and effectiveness as leaders when balanced with confidence, sharing personal examples from parenting and patient care. • Women physicians can lead by showing up to even...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Mohamad shares her journey as a physician leader, highlighting the delicate balance between micromanaging and providing autonomy. We discuss how building trust with team members creates the foundation for effective leadership while maintaining professional standards and clear expectations. • Finding the balance between professionalism and friendliness in communication • Leadin...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the essential yet often overlooked foundation of physician leadership: knowing yourself. Dr. Maha Mohamad and Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque dispel the "I was born ready" myth that permeates medicine, discussing how physicians are expected to lead without formal training. • Leadership must begin with self-knowledge about personality type, communication style, and values...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Una, founder of EntreMD, shares her journey from pediatrician to physician entrepreneur, revealing how doctors can rediscover autonomy and fulfillment through business skills. She explains how a moment of clarity in 2016 sparked her mission to help 100,000 physicians transform their professional lives and rewrite the narrative around physician burnout. • EntreMD began with jus...

Send us Fan Mail After celebrating Mother's Day, we explore a concept everyone needs regardless of parental status: mothering yourself. Medical training conditions us to abandon our humanity bit by bit, wearing sacrifices like badges of honor while neglecting our own basic needs. • The caregiver trap teaches us to neglect ourselves while caring for others • Even the most brilliant physician c...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a high-producing physician decides to walk away from a successful 25-year medical career? Dr. Susan Baumgaertel shares her transformative journey from traditional internal medicine to patient advocacy and authorship in this candid conversation. Dr. Baumgaertel's story begins with a familiar scenario—working nonstop, taking minimal vacation, and feeling the m...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when physicians reclaim their humanity after years of medical training that teaches them to ignore their basic needs? Dr. Manju Dawkins joins us to share her fascinating journey from traditional dermatology practice to healthcare entrepreneurship, revealing how creativity and medicine can powerfully intersect. Remember when you were taught that holding your bladder fo...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. David Weill shares his journey from transplant pulmonologist to consultant and author, exploring how he recognized the emotional and physical toll of clinical medicine after 20 years and strategically transitioned to his "second act." He provides honest insights into the realities of medical practice, the importance of knowing when to pivot, and the value of pursuing...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Sweet shares her 43-year journey in HIV/AIDS care, transforming a deadly condition with six-month prognosis into a manageable chronic disease where properly treated patients can expect normal lifespans. • Started practicing in 1982, drawn to medicine by hands-on patient interaction rather than purely diagnostic work • Encountered her first HIV patient in 1983 when stigma and d...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into an inspiring episode that chronicles the life journey of Dr. Sabharwal, a dedicated physician who broke barriers to shift his career from clinical work to entrepreneurship through real estate investing. Discover the unique challenges international medical graduates face as they adjust to the U.S. healthcare system, while exploring strategies for achieving financial indep...

Send us Fan Mail What if unlocking the full potential of physicians goes beyond medicine? Join us in an engaging discussion with Dr. Shai Efrati, as we uncover the secrets to enhancing efficiency and peak performance in the demanding world of healthcare. We explore the often-overlooked roles physicians play and how the drive to surpass "normal" benchmarks can lead to unparalleled growth....

Send us Fan Mail Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, offers physicians a powerful tool to process trauma and emotional stress. Dr. Jill Wener, MD shares insights on how tapping integrates easily into medical practice, emphasizing vulnerability, self-compassion, and effective stress management.  • Introduction to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)  • Understanding the science behind tappi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the importance of self-care among physicians and the crucial role that maintaining GABA levels plays in mental health. Dr. Scott Sherr discusses innovative methods to optimize health through the lens of Health Optimization Medicine, stressing the need for healthcare professionals to focus on their well-being. • Understanding the challenges physicians fa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Worthy Physician, host Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque speaks with finance expert Rocky Lalvani about the critical yet often neglected topic of financial literacy for physicians. They delve into the lack of financial education in medical training, the struggles of managing finances as a physician, and the importance of using strategies like compounding and smart invest...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where routine tasks breathe new life into your day with purpose and passion. Join me, Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque, and Dr. Sarah Wittry, as we uncover the transformative journey of finding inspiration and self-reflection in medicine. Together, we explore how aligning our core values with our daily work can fuel both personal and professional growth, even when facing the m...