Author's posts
All I ever wanted to do was to be a surgeon. But I was pushed out.
When people used to ask me what a typical day entailed for me, I would gladly share the early starts, the long days on my feet in the OR, and on-calls where anything would happen. I would laugh at how I must have a bladder of steel and cry over some of…
Physician deaths in the era of COVID-19: human sacrifice, not heroism
A COVID-19 positive resident physician in Detroit died recently, and reportedly two more who treated patients with the virus in New York City have died this week as well; although I can’t say for certain, because their names have not been release…
Are you angry, doctor? It’s about time.
It seems that many physicians finally realize that they are expendable. The fact that U.S. health care institutions view doctors (and every other employee) as disposable cogs in a machine is not a new phenomenon. I learned this lesson over a year ago a…
How dare you, America
I grew up with one guiding principle. One religion. One stone temple that I bowed to faithfully. I kneeled at the glorious shrine of medicine. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do with my life. My education was vigorous. I stayed at home and …
In the coronavirus crisis, for-profit health care kills doctors’ spirits
I am a physician. I have worked hard to get where I am in life. I went into medicine for many reasons. The intellectual challenges. Being in a field with lots of human interaction. And of course to help people. I went into emergency medicine because I …
A call to arms for hospital administrators
As the medical director of a Midwest community emergency department that has yet to see the New York City-levels of devastation, I am begging hospital administrators across the country to begin leading their front line health care workers in preparatio…
Are Boston hospitals prioritizing money over the safety of their employees and patients?
Growing evidence suggests that the novel COVID-19 virus can be aerosolized. To adequately protect employees, providers require not just “droplet,” but “airborne” precautions and the appropriate healthcare worker personal protective equipment (PPE). Ap…
The hospital doesn’t care: Physicians must advocate for themselves
On Doctors’ Day, my hospital celebrated our work by giving us each a pair of cheap headphones, and also announced the death of an attending. Though the personal risk to each of us was highlighted by the recent death, the administration did not gi…
The hospital doesn’t care: Physicians must advocate for themselves
On Doctors’ Day, my hospital celebrated our work by giving us each a pair of cheap headphones, and also announced the death of an attending. Though the personal risk to each of us was highlighted by the recent death, the administration did not gi…
What has changed for emergency physicians? Not much.
“You are a hero! “ “Thank you for all you are doing!” It is overwhelming and tremendous; it is touching and heartwarming; it is genuine and sincere. The outpouring of support and love for health care workers and first responders has been a bright ligh…
