Author's posts
Emergency department burnout: a cry for change
It’s a busy day in the emergency department. The waiting room is full, and we are short-staffed. I just read an email from administration that morning about how our treat and release times are “slipping,” and in the same breath, they …
Overcoming depression: a medical resident’s journey
How did I get here? Heading to the highest place I can find, in contemplation of jumping and falling to my death. I had always feared death before this point, but now it seemed the only logical solution. I seemed to have it all going my way. So why wou…
Disappointment with a specialty board’s response to Israel crisis
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in my specialty’s national board organization and its lack of response to the tragedy still unfolding in Israel. Ophthalmology oral boards are currently scheduled for 10/20/2023 through 10/22/2023…
The cost of silence: Dr. Nakita Mortimer’s tragic story
When I received an email from her in March, it was exceptionally helpful and genuine. You could tell she exuded that class president energy and was a true leader. Dr. Mortimer sounded excited for residency to begin. We met each other across the green a…
Open conversations about end-of-life care
An excerpt from The Adventures of Dr. Anonymous. During the COVID pandemic, I wished I could put out a public service announcement for physicians, patients, and families about end-of-life care. Palliative care is critical to hospitalist practice and on…
Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations
A phrase commonly heard is “reproductive rights,” and while there is some variability in what this entails, in most cases, this includes a woman’s right to choose not to be sexually active, to say no to unwanted sex, to access contrac…
Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates
As I sit here contemplating the beginning of this unsent letter, I find myself questioning its intended recipient and purpose. The truth is, I don’t have the answers just yet. Perhaps, by the end of these few paragraphs, some clarity will emerge….
In the trenches of health care: Facing unbearable strain
I’m so sorry, but the pain was too much, and I couldn’t continue. I have witnessed patients crying themselves to sleep while nurses held their hands, praying for their treatments to be approved, giving them one more chance at life. Nurses t…
Iranian doctors’ bravery: Upholding medical ethics amidst oppression
According to Sir William Osler, “The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business …” This calling inherently involves sacrifices. How many of us would sacrifice our freedom, livelihood, or even lives for this…
What do doctor and nursing burnout, the COVID pandemic, and the Easter Bunny have in common?
Question: What do doctors and nursing burnout, the COVID pandemic, and the Easter Bunny have in common? Answer: Not a damn thing. For the past few years, any article on medical labor shortages, disgruntlement, or changes in employment, such as the rise…
