Episode 121: Coaching Physician Moms to Thrive Beyond Burnout

Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast! In this compelling episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. La Toya Luces-Sampson—known as Dr. Toya—to discuss her transformative journey through medicine, from her beginnings in Trinidad and Tobago to her training as an OB/GYN in the US, and ultimately her bold decision to step away from clinical practice. Dr. Toya candidly opens up about her experiences with burnout in residency and corporate medicine, the toll it took on her personal well-being, and the moments that sparked real change in her career and life. She shares how a leap into entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic rekindled her confidence and purpose beyond clinical work, eventually inspiring her to become a coach for physician moms navigating medicine and motherhood. Dr. Toya reveals practical tools she used for efficiency, like templates and support systems, and emphasizes the importance of advocacy, boundaries, and accepting support—whether at work or at home. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, redefining success in medicine, and the power of community and self-compassion in building a sustainable clinical career. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode: Support Matters at Work and Home: Whether advocating for yourself in a tough clinical environment or building a support system at home, allowing yourself to be supported is crucial. As Dr. La Toya shared, “We have worked so hard to get where we are. Allow yourself to be supported.”Efficiency and Boundaries Fight Burnout: La Toya emphasized the power of systems, templates, and boundaries, both in patient care and personal life. Tackling the inbox right away, leveraging dictation and templates, and having clear work/home boundaries helped her stay efficient—and sane. Burnout Isn’t the End—It’s a Call to Innovate:Experiencing burnout multiple times gave Dr. La Toya new perspectives and fueled her pivot into entrepreneurship and coaching. She now empowers physician moms to carve their own pathways—inside or outside medicine: “They can stay in medicine if that's what they want. They can leave medicine if that's what they want. They can find their balance.” Dr. La Toya Luces-Sampson Bio: Dr. La Toya Luces-Sampson aka Dr. Toya, is a wife, mother, board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, perinatal mental health specialist, and Coach. She helps Physician Moms thrive in medicine and motherhood without complete self-sacrifice. With over a decade of experience in women's health, Dr. Toya empowers physician moms through private and group coaching and her podcast, ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ a space where physician moms can feel a little more seen and a lot less alone. -------------- Would you like to view a transcript of this episode? Click here Learn more about our guest: Website: https://drtoyacoaching.comPodcast: https://www.drtoyacoaching.com/podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/latoya.luces.5/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtoyacoachingLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/latoyalucessampsonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFusqULGoxtWl0IOyJPBZ-w **** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine. Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca **** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released. **** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life. **** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. I would love to hear from you.