Dr. Susan Abookire is a professor, medical executive, internal medicine practicioner, and certified forest therapy guide. In this episode of Coaching Revealed, Susan is interviewed by IOC podcast hosts, Emily Terrani and Austin Matzelle about her journey into and experiences with Forest Guiding.

Susan’s journey to forest bathing began with a role as an electrical engineer. She then received her physician training at Harvard. Within her coaching practice, Dr. Abookire focuses on helping residents learn systems design and healthcare leadership with a nature-based outlet that provides a safe haven for self-disocvery.

In this episode, Dr. Abookire shares her personal connection to nature and how it influences her coaching practice. She describes how spending time in the forest has helped her gain insights and connect with her physician clients on a deeper level.

Suan, Emily, and Austin discuss the benefits of forest bathing, which go beyond the empirical data of being in nature. Susan details how uncovering new perspectives brought on by invitations to be aware of what is happening around us has a profound, life-changing impact. This awareness transforms the mental well-being of her clients, as well as the healthcare systems they work in and impact.

We close out this episode with an invitation from Susan to begin one’s own relationship with forest bathing and an opportunity for coaches to experience the power of this practice.

Dr. Gail Gazelle, a former hospice physician, professor, coach, and author, and Dr. Les Schwab, a primary care physician and healthcare leader, have spent many years coaching physicians and working within many facets of the healthcare space. In this episode of Coaching Revealed, the pair are interviewed by Jeff Hull, Executive Director of the Institute of Coaching.

They share how they began their careers as practicing physicians, to working in the healthcare industry as physician coaches, and shed wisdom on the intersection of medicine and coaching. We dive into their own personal transformations through coaching, which helped establish their desire to themselves become physician coaches. In addition to overcoming the challenges of medicine, both Gail and Les emphasize the need for physicians to embrace vulnerability and adapt to the changing landscape of healthcare.

With Jeff Hull, Gail, and Les discuss the systemic issues contributing to physician burnout and the cultural expectations placed upon medical physicians. We also explore insights from current research currently underway on effective coaching practices for physicians; research which highlights the role of self-awareness and relationship-building in coaching engagements.

To round out the episode, the future of coaching in healthcare is explored, touching on the role of coaching programs in medical education and the potentail for an emphasis on a relational leadership style to reduce burnout among physicians.

Dr. Heidi Hanna, CEO of Synergy Brain Research, Instructor at Harvard Extension School, and NYT best selling author, talks with IOC Director of Education, Dr. Pamela Larde.

Dr. Hanna shares her personal journey through challenging times, including navigating the pandemic and overcoming health struggles. Despite facing adversity, she emphasizes the importance of curiosity and finding humor in difficult situations.

Dr. Hanna’s holistic approach to brain fitness emphasizes five pillars: eat, sleep, move, connect, and rest, and she and Dr. Pamela discuss practical strategies for improving mental well-being. The discussion specifically highlights the power of connection, and the role of energy in professional and private life.

We close out the episode by looking at how coaches can play a pivotal role in helping individuals develop self-awareness and navigate intense moments by providing support, listening, and offering resources.