Author's posts
How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot
Across America, physicians worry about malpractice litigation—but what happens when state policies unintentionally create a malpractice litigation magnet? New Mexico offers a troubling case study every health care provider should know about. Between 20…
Why some doctors age gracefully—and others grow bitter
“Some people learn. Some don’t. For the former, growing old is a joy. For the latter, it is hell.” I’ve seen both. In exam rooms, break rooms, ORs, and coaching sessions. One physician softens—more present, less defended. Another hard…
If I had to choose: Choosing the patient over the protocol
It was after dinner at The Goring, just the three of us—Ulla, David Chipp, and me. The kind of dinner where the wine lingers longer than the food, and the conversation slips into the quietly personal. David, once Reuters’ correspondent in Peking …
9 proven ways to gain cooperation in health care without commanding
You’ve probably had this experience. You ask someone—nicely—to do something that clearly needs to be done. And they don’t. Or they nod, walk away, and nothing changes. You’re not trying to be difficult. You’re just trying to kee…
ER threats aren’t rare anymore—they’re routine
I read Dr. Harry Severance’s recent piece, “Violence in health care: Why doctors and nurses are leaving,” with a sinking feeling of recognition. He’s right. Health care is becoming the most dangerous profession in America. Viole…
Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself
It’s not the easiest question to ask aloud—especially in medicine, where we pronounce death but rarely reflect on it. We chart it. Certify it. Explain it. But what does it mean to die? For most of us, the word carries a double weight. It means to…
