Medical
I challenge you to discuss death
My medical school’s secondary application, like that of many other medical schools, asked me to describe a personal or professional challenge or conflict and to explain how I worked to resolve it. However, unlike other medical schools, my school specified that they did not want to hear about the MCAT or another academic challenge. For…
Read MoreThe connection between atrial fibrillation and burnout
One of the greatest health challenges in our lives is the phenomenon of burnout. It occurs when there is enough negative stress that persists over time. As many of us know, stress is an integral part of being human. It can be positive (an upcoming wedding or birth of a child) or negative (job loss or…
Read MoreA physician embraces the power of the word, “and” [PODCAST]
“I struggle for words to describe life in the season of COVID-19. Depending on the day, I need at least a few adjectives: ‘peculiar,’ ‘fine, all things considered,’ ‘terrifying.’ ‘Joyous’ and ‘anxious’ certainly make odd bedfellows in my brain. As a mother and physician living this new reality, I’ve been extra thankful for Irene, who…
Read MoreDiscussing end of the life care with a pilot
An excerpt from Between Life and Death. Harry’s request to exclude Susan, from this conversation about cancer diagnosis and options of treatment was quite unusual, especially given how close I knew the couple to be. However, since Susan’s gaze remained on the carpet, I had no choice but to respect Harry’s request. As I led…
Read MoreA physician’s convoluted FMLA journey
I have dealt with unstable knees since childhood. In December 2019, I noticed knee swelling, which would improve with rest. This flare-up was not unusual, except that the swelling and pain gradually became a routine fixture in my life. This was still pre-COVID, but winter is busy in the ICU, so I ignored my own…
Read MoreThe implications of #medbikini and why women feel outraged
I have never expected to write a submission to KevinMD, nor have I ever felt I would be compelled to do so. But the recent social media firestorm in response to the August 2020 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery, a manuscript entitled “Prevalence of Unprofessional Social Media Content Among Young Vascular Surgeons,” unearthed unexpected…
Read MoreI can’t tolerate CPAP, what can I do?
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is the most common treatment prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP involves wearing a mask that fits into the nostrils, underneath or over the nose, or over the nose and mouth, through which pressurized air is delivered via tubing from a machine to keep the upper airway open…
Read MoreLet us talk about the underlying situation of #medbikini
The perception of women being the weaker sex permeates every aspect of society, and it is shameful to admit that this also exists within the world of medicine. But this is no secret. It is not new. It has been a part of the culture of medicine that, unfortunately, has been long overdue for an…
Read MoreBlack lives will not start to matter until Black health matters
The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minnesota has awakened a country out of hibernation and put Black Lives Matter on the national platform. Practicing primary care in Springfield, Massachusetts, I have known for a long time that Black lives do matter. It is important to understand that Black health…
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