Sarah Samaan Sarah, MD, FACC, FACP, FASE, a retired cardiologist turned physician coach and art educator, explores how visual thinking strategies and leadership coaching can transform healthcare culture and combat physician burnout.

• Completed Harvard's visual thinking strategies program using art to develop communication, collaboration, and comfort with ambiguity in healthcare
• Visual thinking involves group art observation with two key questions: "What's going on in this picture?" and "What do you see that makes you say that?"
• Art-based approaches help physicians develop emotional intelligence and openness to multiple perspectives
• Many physicians struggle with time management, EHR burdens, and leadership issues that contribute to burnout
• Leadership in medicine often lacks proper training, with many promoted for technical skills rather than leadership abilities
• Facing dilemmas (choices with no perfect solution) requires different skills than solving problems with clear answers
• Competition, volume metrics, and ego-driven incentives are destroying medicine's culture
• Setting boundaries is crucial - integrating personal values with professional values prevents saying yes to work while saying no to family
• Create a personal mission statement to guide decision-making aligned with your true priorities

• Free values workbook available at mindfulphysiciancoaching.com

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Joy Glasser, a certified leadership coach with over two decades of experience, shares insights on how coaching differs from therapy and addresses the unique challenges physicians face in their professional lives. She illuminates pathways to self-awareness, better leadership, and finding balance in a demanding healthcare system.

• Coaching fundamentally differs from therapy—coaches believe clients aren't broken and need no fixing
• Physicians typically struggle with being "fixers" while lacking self-awareness about their own needs
• System pressures create burnout with physicians feeling pushed to perform without adequate support
• Self-leadership starts with being present and making intentional choices rather than reactive decisions
• Building trust requires vulnerability and honesty, both with oneself and with colleagues
• Finding time for self-reflection isn't about having more hours but prioritizing meaningful presence
• Dealing with uncertainty means shifting from hope (expectations) to wonder (curiosity)
• Putting your phone in airplane mode creates space for genuine connection and self-awareness

If you're looking for a coach to help you get to the next level, contact Joy Glasser at Glasser Group.

https://www.glassergroup.net/

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Samantha Propper, founder of "Don't Miss a Beat" joins Bill to discuss the challenges and solutions for creating better cath lab environments through improved communication, education, and psychological safety.

• Sam's journey from cardiovascular technologist to educator and founder of educational resources for cath lab professionals
• Creating visual educational resources that bridge knowledge gaps for staff at all experience levels
• How understaffing and lack of structured orientation contributes to high turnover in cath labs
• The psychology of fear that affects both physicians and staff during procedures
• Why learning happens best through failure, not success
• The importance of practicing complication management, not just routine procedures
• How physicians can create psychological safety by inviting questions and feedback
• Practical strategies for preventing burnout among experienced staff
• Teaching outside the procedure room to build skills in a low-stress environment
• The value of curiosity and compassion as foundational qualities for team members

If you're feeling unvalued in your lab, consider what specifically makes you feel valued – each person's needs are different. If you're a leader, ask your team members directly what makes them feel appreciated rather than assuming you know.

Don't Miss a Beat on X - https://x.com/dontmissabeat_x

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Robert Ricker shares his transformative journey from competitive, achievement-driven professional to a leader focused on building meaningful connections through vulnerability, reflection, and authentic listening. His story illustrates how personal growth requires challenging your identity and developing new skills to create environments where others can thrive.

• Transitioning from going fast alone (competitive individual contribution) to going far together (collaborative leadership)
• Recognizing when achievement-focused behavior limits connection with colleagues and loved ones
• Developing practices for self-reflection including meditation, faith, and deliberate communication changes
• Creating a "three-second rule" before responding to allow others space to share
• Understanding the difference between listening (hearing words) and truly hearing (comprehending meaning)
• Building vulnerability as a leadership strength that fosters trust and psychological safety
• Recognizing that "none of us will ever be as smart as all of us" in team environments
• Measuring growth by how people feel after interactions and if they reach out spontaneously
• Using mirroring techniques from negotiation practices to demonstrate genuine curiosity
• Finding balance between execution and relationship-building in professional settings

None of us are perfect, but by practicing vulnerability, active listening, and creating safe environments, we can build stronger connections with those around us and achieve more together than we ever could alone.

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Bringing to light the incredible journey of Odayme Quesada, MD, MHS, FACC FAHA, FESC, Endowed Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health, Board-Certified Cardiologist, Medical Director of The Women’s Heart Center, Physician Scientist, Assistant Professor University of Cincinnati, this episode offers a unique perspective on women's heart health and the challenges professionals face in the medical field. We discuss key moments in her life that have shaped her career, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and representation.

- Dr. Quesada's childhood in Cuba and the transition to Miami
- The pivotal role of mentorship in shaping a medical career
- Insights from the summer programs at Yale for underrepresented minorities
- Challenges women face in receiving proper cardiac care
- The importance of collaborative approaches in cardiology
- Addressing systemic biases in diagnosing women with heart conditions
- Future opportunities in cardiology and empowerment through education
- Inspiration for aspiring medical professionals to embrace their unique journey

Thank you for listening! Please share this episode and leave us a review.

https://x.com/OdaymeMD

https://www.linkedin.com/in/odayme-quesada-md-mhs-facc-faha-fesc-2021605a/

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We sat down with the esteemed Dr. Larry Sperling from Emory University to uncover the fascinating intersections of personal stories and professional insights in medicine.

Larry's journey from his Northeast upbringing to his pivotal role in preventive cardiology at Emory is a tapestry woven with global health initiatives and familial roots tracing back to Lithuania and Ukraine.

Through his narrative, we explore the profound impact of personal history on professional paths, all while addressing the pressing issue of moral injuries within the medical field.

Our discussion with Larry highlights the critical need for cultural evolution in healthcare.

We examine the daunting challenge of burnout, advocating for systemic changes that go beyond individual resilience. The conversation reveals the importance of supportive microcultures in clinical settings and the shift towards acknowledging burnout as a significant issue. By advocating for servant leadership and collaborative teamwork, we emphasize the role of a nurturing environment in enhancing physician well-being and improving patient care.

As we round out the episode, we delve into the essence of teamwork, collaboration, and the celebration of every role within the medical profession. From fostering mentorship to addressing institutional silos, we discuss strategies for sustainable growth and workplace harmony. Larry and I reflect on the importance of spreading grace and compassion in our professional lives, encouraging a culture where each member's contributions are valued.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we advocate for a more humane and equitable healthcare system, where both personal and professional lives can truly flourish.

https://providers.emoryhealthcare.org/provider/laurence-s-sperling/777032

https://familyheart.org/dr-larry-sperling-appointed-as-chief-medical-officer

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This episode delves into the intersection of healthcare professional experiences and patient care, as Jesse Gibson and Rebecca Gibson, PA-C share their own stories of vulnerability amidst health crises.

The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, open communication, and emotional understanding in creating a more compassionate healthcare environment, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences in fostering human connections within medical practice.

• Jesse recounts his experience with chest pain and vulnerability as a healthcare provider
• Rebecca discusses the emotional toll on healthcare professionals when facing patient crises
• The importance of empathy and compassion in patient interactions is highlighted
• Tackling compassion fatigue and maintaining a sense of human connection in healthcare
• The call for open communication regarding uncertainties in healthcare is emphasized
• Encouraging vulnerability among healthcare providers to strengthen patient relationships
• The role of patients and providers in shaping a more empathetic healthcare culture
• A shared responsibility in improving the emotional well-being of both patients and providers is proposed

https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/cathlab/content/my-experience-other-side-our-job

https://doctors.premierhealth.com/provider/jacob-b-gibson/1779782

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This episode dives deep into the experiences of Dr. Najah Khan and Dr. Merna Abdou, two cardiology fellows, as they discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their training and patient care. They share personal stories of trauma, the importance of spirituality in healing, and the necessity of compassion in modern medicine, urging the healthcare community to reconnect with humanity and prioritizing quality of life for their patients.

• Insights on how COVID-19 reshaped their medical practice
• The role of spirituality in patient care discussions
• Moving from treating numbers to prioritizing quality of life
• Building supportive environments in medical training
• The necessity of vulnerability and empathy in healthcare

https://x.com/najahakhan
https://x.com/MernaAbdou28

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