Host Dr. Dael Waxman welcomes Dr. Stuart Slavin, Vice President for Well-Being at the ACGME, for a deep dive into the systemic challenges and solutions surrounding physician well-being in medical training. Dr. Slavin recounts his transformative work at St. Louis University, where interventions like reduced class time and pass-fail grading slashed student depression rates by 80%—without sacrificing academic performance. The conversation exposes the harsh realities residents face: sleep deprivation, productivity pressures, and cultures that stigmatize vulnerability. Dr. Slavin details how the ACGME is pushing structural reforms, from embedding well-being in accreditation standards to providing programs with data-driven tools to diagnose and address environmental stressors.

The discussion also explores the psychological burdens unique to trainees, including imposter syndrome and the "Stanford Duck" effect—the tendency to hide distress beneath a calm exterior. Dr. Slavin advocates for dual solutions: fixing toxic systems (like inefficient workflows and punitive feedback cultures) while equipping individuals with cognitive tools to reframe maladaptive mindsets. He shares promising models, such as Mount Sinai’s Well-Being Champions program, and stresses the need for iterative, trainee-informed change. A rallying cry for educators and leaders, this episode balances stark truths with actionable hope for a healthier future in medicine.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

In this episode of Life-Changing Moments, Dr. Kelly Schmidt, a fifth-year otolaryngology resident at the University of Missouri, shares pragmatic insights on resilience and self-care in medical training. Moving beyond conventional wellness advice, she emphasizes sustainable, small-scale habits—such as integrating personal checklists and celebrating incremental progress—to navigate residency’s demands. Crucially, she reframes resilience as a systemic issue, challenging the notion that burnout reflects individual failure.

Dr. Schmidt candidly discusses the pressures of rigorous schedules, imposter syndrome, and the importance of redefining success in an imperfect system. She advocates for building supportive peer and mentor networks while normalizing professional mental health care as a proactive step, not a weakness. Her perspective balances realism with optimism, acknowledging residency’s challenges while highlighting the growth they foster.

This episode offers actionable strategies for medical trainees and professionals in high-stakes fields, underscoring how self-compassion, community, and adaptable self-care practices can sustain well-being and improve patient care. Dr. Schmidt’s reflections serve as both a guide and a reminder: progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Rethinking Residency — https://rethinkingresidency.com/
Self-Care Mantras That Help Me Survive Surgical Residency, Dr. Kelly Schmidt - Essay

This episode of Prescription for Success features Dr. Stephanie Wu, an internationally renowned podiatrist and dean of the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Wu shares her unconventional journey into medicine, beginning with a career in marketing before serendipitously discovering podiatry through an unplanned MCAT exam. Her story highlights the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities and embracing career changes. She also reflects on her deeply personal decision to become a U.S. citizen following the events of September 11, emphasizing the resilience and unity she witnessed in the aftermath.

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Dr. Wu’s passion for wound care, a specialty she describes as uniquely rewarding due to the deep patient connections and interdisciplinary collaboration it fosters. She underscores the profound impact of chronic wounds on patients' lives and the satisfaction of providing long-term, life-changing care. Additionally, Dr. Wu discusses her transition into academic leadership, including the challenges of guiding her institution through the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with her “prescription for success,” a thoughtful acronym (A-E-I-O-U) that emphasizes availability, enthusiasm, inspiration, seizing opportunities, and the value of hard work—principles that have shaped her distinguished career.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

In this episode of Prescription for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook speaks with Dr. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Lieberman, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and a core faculty member at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Lieberman shares her journey into medicine, reflecting on her unconventional path—initially resistant to following in her father’s (a urologist) footsteps before finding her passion in orthopedics. She discusses the challenges of entering medical school off the waitlist, the exhilaration of surgical rotations, and the pivotal moment she realized orthopedics was her calling.

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on diversity in medicine, particularly the underrepresentation of women in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Lieberman, an advocate for inclusivity, highlights systemic biases and the importance of mentorship and early exposure to shift demographics. She also offers her "prescriptions for success," emphasizing a growth mindset, embracing discomfort, and the power of assuming good intent in professional interactions. Her insights serve as both inspiration and a roadmap for aspiring surgeons navigating similar challenges in medicine.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

Please see https://www.mymdcoaches.com/podcast/episode/a7461b32/199-the-ibmer-dennis-mihale-md-mba for previos Rx For Success Episode.

Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Dennis Mihale, a physician whose career has spanned clinical medicine, healthcare leadership, and corporate innovation. The conversation explores the universal challenges of professional reinvention, particularly for physicians navigating transitions between clinical and non-clinical roles. Dr. Mihaly reflects on the skills that bridge these worlds—from the interpersonal lessons learned at IBM to the resilience required in medicine—and underscores the importance of purpose, mentorship, and incremental change when stepping into the unknown.

The discussion delves into the emotional and practical complexities of career shifts, emphasizing that fulfillment often lies at the intersection of adaptability and self-awareness. Dr. Mihale shares insights on recognizing when to pivot, the value of maintaining ties to patient care, and the power of leaning on trusted advisors during moments of uncertainty. Themes of meaning, identity, and the evolving physician role resonate throughout, offering listeners a roadmap for embracing change without losing sight of their core values.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

In this episode of Prescription for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook interviews Dr. Ed Foxall, a surgeon with a unique career journey. Dr. Foxall shares how he overcame early challenges, including attending medical school in Guadalajara after U.S. rejections and persevering through board certification struggles. He emphasizes the "three A's" of success—being available, affable, and able—and highlights the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and building meaningful relationships in medicine. Now an associate program director for a general surgery residency, Dr. Foxall reflects on embracing change, transitioning from private practice to academia, and the value of mentorship in shaping his fulfilling career.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

In this episode, Dr. Randy Cook speaks with Dr. Sanj Katyal, a radiologist who uniquely blends medicine with positive psychology. Reconnecting after three years, Dr. Katyal reflects on his journey to find greater joy and fulfillment, despite achieving many professional and personal goals. He shares insights into the emotional challenges physicians face, including the pervasive discontent he observed among peers, which inspired him to explore the science of happiness. Dr. Katyal discusses his experience managing a large radiology group, his studies under Harvard psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar, and transformative concepts like "hedonic adaptation" and "Rapid Transformational Therapy" (RTT). These tools help individuals reframe subconscious beliefs formed in childhood, paving the way for a more fulfilling life.

Dr. Katyal also highlights his mission to empower physicians through candid discussions about mental health and well-being. He introduces his online course, ThriveRx, and his book, Positive Philosophy: Ancient Modern Wisdom to Create a Flourishing Life, which offers evidence-based strategies for personal and professional growth. This conversation underscores the importance of introspection, community, and support in achieving lasting fulfillment, especially within the demanding healthcare landscape. Dr. Katyal’s integration of radiology and positive psychology serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins from within.

-+=-+=-+=-+=

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

---

Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com