“Thank you so much for taking the time today and judging,” yet another person said as they approached me, smiling or shaking my hand. “You are welcome,” I said, smiling. It was my pleasure—my genuine internal pleasure. I have be…
Category: primary care
Embracing life’s unexpected turns and finding contentment along the way
I sometimes grieve the life I left behind … and that’s OK. Necessary, even. I wonder if I got in my own way, if I tried hard enough, if I fought hard enough. What would have happened if I believed in myself? Trusted that I could accomplish …
From failure to success: How a nurse overcame challenges and thrived in the medical field
I remember the day clearly – sitting in a convenience store parking lot after buying a pack of pencils on my way to my first day of nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Or, perhaps more realistically, I had no idea how il…
The magic of human connections
I was doing laundry last week when my engagement ring snagged on a shirt. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the four prongs holding the diamond in place was sticking up and on the verge of breaking. Quickly, I took off the ring and placed i…
Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life
It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer su…
Unlearning perfectionism: Embracing imperfection and finding my true self through improv
I walked into my local improvisational comedy theater a few years ago and started taking classes to escape burnout and have some fun. It was so freaking difficult. Here I was, a frazzled, tightly-wound mid-career pediatrician, surrounded by all these c…
The power of embracing life’s seasons: rest, reflection, and growth
If we look around and spend time in nature or just walk outside, we realize everything has a season. The trees, the flowers, the weeds—they all change during the seasons. Flowers don’t constantly bloom; trees show their beautiful display of color…
Breaking free from limiting habits: Unveiling the path to your full potential [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join us as we explore the habits that might be making your life harder than necessary. Our guest, Cindy Tsai, an internal medicine physician, shares valuable insights into common obstacles …
Physician excellence: Transitioning from the comfort zone to the growth zone for exceptional patient care
Health care is a dynamic, evolving field that demands a high degree of adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning from its practitioners. For physicians, improving patient care is often about the challenge of moving from a comfort zone – …
A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path
You may not have heard about the young girl from my neck of the woods who just graduated from high school and is heading to college in Arizona to study ichthyology. It’s been causing quite a stir because her father, a family medicine doc who runs…
