Moms of Medicine

Summary In this episode, I talk about grieving my dad's death while preparing for the birth of my son and navigating cancer treatment. Key topics Coping with grief after losing a parent Balancing emotional pain with joyful moments Preparing for childbirth amidst health challenges The significance of meaningful keepsakes and rituals The coexistence of sadness and happiness in life Keywords grief, motherhood, cancer, resilience, personal story, loss, emotional strength, life challenges Chapters 00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 00:28 Personal reflection on the impact of losing her father 01:21 The challenge of coping with grief in daily life 02:21 The unpredictability of grief and emotional responses 03:19 A moment of humor during a difficult day 04:49 The significance of photos and memories 05:48 Managing cancer pain while preparing for childbirth 07:12 Medical check-up and reassurance about the baby 08:54 The innocence of children and their impact on grief 09:33 Scheduling conflicts between birth and funeral arrangements 11:22 Deciding on the timing of induction and funeral 12:46 Making the most of last family moments before birth 14:24 The significance of meaningful keepsakes and symbols 16:32 Carrying a piece of her father with her during labor 17:54 Conclusion and upcoming episode focus Support the show

In this episode, I talk about my experience with my father’s death, navigating difficult conversations, and how my medical background both challenged and supported me during this time. Main Topics Covered: The reasons behind my hiatus The significance of storytelling for connection, reflection, and emotional resilience Walking through the emotional and logistical experience of my father’s death in the hospital Challenges of end-of-life conversations within my family and the impact of medical burnout Lessons I learned about planning for chronic illness, death, and the importance of having honest, compassionate discussions The emotional aftermath, including feelings of grief, guilt, and gratitude The cathartic process of sharing my story and the future of my podcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Why I stepped back 02:00 - The healing power of storytelling in connecting with others 03:30 - Navigating personal grief while balancing a medical career 05:00 - The moments leading to my father’s death 07:00 - The hard realities of end-of-life decisions and family discussions 09:00 - The emotional toll of seeing a loved one suffer and die 11:00 - The impact of healthcare burnout on personal and family moments 13:00 - Reflections on medical planning, directives, and difficult conversations 15:00 - The experience of loss and feelings of guilt and sadness 17:00 - The significance of presence, love, and memory in grief 19:00 - Returning to the podcast: sharing my story to heal and connect 21:00 - Future plans for solo episodes and interviews Support the show

Keywords cancer treatment, chemotherapy, motherhood, emotional support, personal journey, health challenges, parenting, medical experiences, resilience, community support Summary In this solo episode, Dr. Alison Trainor shares her personal journey through cancer treatment while balancing motherhood. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy, the impact of hair loss, and the support she received from friends and family. Alison reflects on the complexities of navigating her health while being a parent and the importance of community support during difficult times. Takeaways The transition from work to medical leave was emotionally challenging. Chemotherapy brought both physical and emotional struggles. Hair loss was a significant emotional hurdle during treatment. Support from friends and family was crucial during this journey. The experience of being a patient gave insight into patient care. Navigating treatment while pregnant added complexity to her situation. The emotional toll of scan results can be overwhelming. Community support, like meal trains, made a big difference. It's important to communicate openly about what support is needed. Finding joy in small moments with family helped cope with challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:28 Navigating Work and Cancer Diagnosis 05:41 Chemotherapy Regimen and Initial Experiences 12:27 Emotional and Physical Challenges of Treatment 16:03 Hair Loss and Its Impact 20:13 Adjusting to Public Perception and Normalcy 23:02 Additional Treatment Considerations and Reflections 26:20 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Illness 34:07 The Impact of Community Support 47:39 Finding Meaning in Difficult Times Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Ali and Polly reflect on the past year since their last chat, discussing personal growth, work-life balance, and the challenges of parenting. Polly shares her experiences with returning to work, navigating childcare, and the impact of illness on their family. They delve into the pressures of the medical profession, the importance of mental health support, and the benefits of couples therapy. The discussion also touches on family planning and the considerations that come with it, particularly in light of Polly's husband's health. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of parenting, relationships, and self-care. Takeaways Polly has experienced significant personal growth over the past year. Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial for well-being. Childcare can provide valuable socialization and learning opportunities for children. Illnesses in daycare can be challenging but are often part of the experience. The pressure to show up in the medical field can lead to neglecting personal health. Therapy and support systems have been vital for Polly's mental health journey. Communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship, especially during stressful times. Considering family size involves weighing personal desires against practical realities. The experience of parenting can evoke nostalgia and a desire for more children. It's important to discuss and normalize the challenges of postpartum mental health. Keywords parenting, mental health, work-life balance, childcare, couples therapy, family planning, postpartum anxiety, child development, daycare challenges, personal growth Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Growth and Change 02:45 Finding Balance in Work and Family Life 05:44 Navigating Childcare and Developmental Milestones 08:50 The Challenges of Illness in Daycare 11:29 The Pressure to Show Up in Medicine 14:20 Mental Health Journey and Support Systems 17:28 Couples Therapy and Communication 20:36 Considering Family Size and Future Plans Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Jenn Gates-Nassar shares her journey as a pediatric resident, balancing the demands of her medical training with motherhood. She discusses her motivations for pursuing medicine, the challenges of being a resident with young children, and the emotional toll of caring for sick kids. Dr. Gates-Nassar also highlights the importance of advocacy in public health, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on long-term health, and the challenges posed by misinformation in healthcare. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on her aspirations for the future and the ongoing learning process in medicine. Takeaways Dr. Gates-Nassar is a second-year pediatric resident at Mount Sinai. She balances her demanding residency with being a mother to two young girls. Her journey into medicine was influenced by her family's public health background. She emphasizes the importance of reliable childcare for working parents. Guilt when away from her children but recognizes the need for stable caregivers. She discusses the emotional challenges of being a pediatric resident. Advocacy and public health are significant aspects of her career aspirations. Adverse childhood experiences can have lasting impacts on health outcomes. Misinformation in healthcare is a growing concern for pediatricians. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Journey into Medicine 05:57 Balancing Family and Residency 09:00 Navigating Parenthood and Guilt 11:58 Career Aspirations in Pediatrics 15:12 Challenges in Pediatric Care 17:53 Addressing Systemic Barriers 21:05 Misinformation and Public Health Advocacy 27:29 Balancing Clinical Work and Personal Life 31:03 Navigating Parenthood and Medical Training 34:14 Advice for Future Parents in Medicine 38:06 Influences and Inspirations in Medicine 43:24 Experiences and Challenges in Residency 48:45 The Ongoing Journey of Learning in Medicine keywords pediatrics, residency, motherhood, public health, advocacy, work-life balance, adverse childhood experiences, healthcare challenges, physician insights, medical training Support the show

In this episode we catch up with Dr. Lauren Puretz from episode 33. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I would suggest listening to that episode first. In this episode we talk about: - How Lauren's practice has been doing since opening 8/2024. We last spoke when she was 2 months in and there have been some bumps in the road - How her running career has been going. Also, a few bumps. - Feeling a bit like she was in the hole and how she's been digging herself out - and so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Lauren: - Instagram @Lauren1642 Support the show

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Janelle Nassim shares her journey as a dermatologist and a mother, detailing her experience with a life-altering heart attack caused by a coronary artery dissection (SCAD) shortly after the birth of her second child. She discusses the symptoms leading up to the event, her hospital experience, and the emotional and physical recovery process. Janelle reflects on the changes in her perspective towards life, motherhood, and work, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and accepting help from others. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:52 Life as a Dermatologist and Mother 09:53 The Day of the Heart Attack 19:58 The Experience in the Hospital 24:30 Processing Trauma and Growth 24:30 Navigating the Hospital Experience 25:57 The Journey of Recovery 29:25 Reconnecting with Family 31:25 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting 31:53 Physical Recovery and Exercise 35:38 Emotional Grief and Acceptance 44:03 Work-Life Balance Post-Diagnosis 47:02 Current State: A Year Later Keywords dermatology, heart attack, SCAD, recovery, motherhood, emotional health, trauma, resilience, work-life balance, personal growth Support the show

summary In this conversation, Dr. Tali Lando shares her journey as a pediatric ENT and a mother of three daughters. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding medical career with motherhood, the importance of support systems, and the evolution of parenting dynamics as children grow. Dr. Lando reflects on her experiences with burnout, the role of passion projects in rejuvenating her career, and the lessons learned from her journey through cancer treatment. She emphasizes the significance of honesty in parenting and the power of anecdotes in medicine, providing valuable insights for working parents in the medical field. In this conversation, Tali Lando shares her deeply personal journey through medical challenges, including her experience as a mother in the NICU and her battle with breast cancer. She discusses the emotional toll of these experiences, the impact on her family, and how writing became a therapeutic outlet. Tali also reflects on her return to work after treatment and the process of writing her upcoming book, 'Breathless,' which aims to provide insights from her medical career and personal experiences. takeaways Dr. Tali Lando is a pediatric ENT with a busy practice. She had her first child during her chief year of residency. Balancing motherhood and a demanding career is challenging but rewarding. Support systems play a crucial role in managing work and family life. Quality time with children is more important than quantity. The dynamics of parenting evolve as children grow older. Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals. Passion projects can rejuvenate a career and provide fulfillment. Experiences during cancer treatment inspired her writing. Honesty with children about career sacrifices fosters understanding. Tali's experience in the NICU highlighted the emotional toll on parents. The transition from being a doctor to a patient is profound and challenging. Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Tali during her cancer journey. The importance of family support during health crises cannot be overstated. Tali's father's glioblastoma diagnosis added another layer of complexity to her journey. Navigating treatment options for cancer can be overwhelming and confusing. The impact of cancer on family dynamics is significant and often heartbreaking. Tali's writing process was influenced by her personal experiences and desire to help others. Returning to work after treatment requires careful consideration of one's health. The upcoming book 'Breathless' aims to share valuable insights from Tali's medical career. keywords pediatric ENT, work-life balance, motherhood, residency, surgical training, parenting, career fulfillment, burnout, passion projects, breast cancer, medical challenges, NICU experience, cancer diagnosis, family dynamics, writing, coping mechanism, health, career, book release, personal journey ENT Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Tali Lando: - Instagram @drtalilando - Preorder her upcoming book Breathless - Drtalilando.com Support the show

Picking up where we left off from the last solo episode. This one goes into everything from initial diagnosis leading up to starting treatment. Thanks for listening Support the show

keywords career transitions, parenting, work-life balance, family dynamics, health journey, personal experiences, professional choices, future planning, medical education, lung transplantation summary In this conversation, Ali and Kashi reconnect after two years to discuss Kashi's recent transition to faculty in lung transplantation, her family's dynamics, and the impact of Anika's health journey on their lives. They explore themes of work-life balance, career aspirations, and the emotional complexities of parenting, especially in light of past challenges. Kashi shares her insights on navigating uncertainty and the joy of expanding their family, while reflecting on the lessons learned from their experiences. takeaways Kashi has transitioned to faculty in lung transplantation after completing her fellowship. She emphasizes the importance of taking things year by year in her career and personal life. Kashi's husband has taken on a new role with a more stable schedule to support the family. Anika's health journey has profoundly impacted their family dynamics and future planning. Kashi is exploring her interests in medical education and research. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing clinical work with family time. Kashi reflects on the emotional weight of her past experiences and how they shape her present. The couple is excited about expanding their family and preparing for a new baby. Kashi shares the importance of setting anchors in her job search based on core values. They discuss the complexities of parenting and the joy of watching Anika thrive. Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting After Two Years 02:54 Navigating Career Transitions 05:57 Family Dynamics and Parenting 08:56 Reflections on Work-Life Balance 11:53 Career Goals and Aspirations 14:45 Impact of Personal Experiences on Professional Choices 17:40 Anika's Health Journey and Family Planning 20:48 Embracing Uncertainty and Future Possibilities 23:44 Preparing for a New Addition to the Family Support the show

Summary In this episode, Dr. Joyce Park shares her journey as a board-certified dermatologist and social media influencer, discussing her unique path into teledermatology and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career. She reflects on the evolution of her practice, the importance of social media in driving patient engagement, and the realities of outsourcing childcare. Dr. Park emphasizes the need for women to redefine success and not be afraid to take non-traditional paths in their careers. Takeaways Dr. Joyce Park is a board-certified dermatologist with a teledermatology practice. She began her journey in social media in 2011, initially as a blog. Her telehealth practice allows her to balance work and motherhood effectively. Social media drives all her patients, eliminating the need for traditional advertising. Dr. Park emphasizes the importance of flexibility in her career to spend time with her children. She discusses the challenges of maternity leave in the medical field. Outsourcing childcare is essential for working mothers to maintain balance. Dr. Park is launching a new haircare line, focusing on specific conditions. She believes in the importance of training the next generation of men to share household responsibilities. Success in medicine should not be defined by traditional metrics but by personal fulfillment. Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Joyce Park: - Instagram @teawithmd - teawithmd.com keywords dermatology, telehealth, motherhood, social media, skincare, haircare, women in medicine, work-life balance, parenting, entrepreneurship Support the show

"Because then I had to go back to residency, and I could have quit but I didn't want to. I was feeling better, but going back as a brand new first time mom - breastfeeding, not sleeping, all the things - was so much easier than going through residency with depression." This episode is with Dr. Padget Skogman who is a board certified pediatrician. In this episode we talk about: - Dealing with depression in residency - The disconnect between what her program director thought was an appropriate mental health leave (1 week) vs her psychiatrist advocating for much longer - The difference between doing residency training depressed vs as a new mom coming back from maternity leave - Second episode of postpartum depression, taking much longer to recover from as she only had 6 weeks of maternity leave - Being a physician with type I diabetes - Being the first woman physician to join a practice - Her current passion project - and so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Padget Skogman: - Instagram @padgetskogmanmd - Padgetskogmanmd.com Support the show

Solo episode today sharing a big secret I've been keeping (I promise this isn't click bait) and everything leading up to my cancer diagnosis. Thank you for listening xoxo Support the show

"It’s really just an extension of the general ethos in medicine which has existed for a very long time – generations, centuries - which says that in order to make other people well we have to make ourselves sick. That is only recently being questioned. " This episode is with Dr. Suzanne Koven who was a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital for over 30 years, has had a prolific literaray career and now serves as the Writer in Residence of Massachusetts General Hospital full time. In this episode we talk about: - Her experience having a baby in residency - Pre-eclampsia - Being asked to write her own maternity leave policy - Her feelings about going part time and what her primary care patients thought about this - What it was like to retire from clinical medicine (spoiler alert - she doesn't miss it) - How she got started in her literary career - The importance of sharing stories - Her book Letter to a Young Female Physician and how that came about - The memoir that she is currently writing Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Suzanne Koven: - Instagram @kovensuzanne Support the show

"I think we're so geared on the next step - what do I have to do next, I need to complete this before I get to the next step, then this will make me happy. I think we're constantly doing that to ourselves and we don't even know what happy means or what we wanted. My husband and I sat down, we were at Red Robins getting french firies and burgers, and we looked at each other and were like 'Is this what we worked our whole lives to be? This is not great. This is not that fun'." This episode is with Dr. Nicole Basa who is a private practice general and bariatric surgeon in Austin , Texas. In this episode we talk about: - Female mentorship in surgery (spoiler alert, it wasn't always positive) - How she thought about having a child in surgical residency vs not - Getting pregnant with her first child while she was in the thick of starting a private surgical practice with her husband - Starting a private practice with her husband and what it's like working with your husband - The logistics of owning a practice with your spouse when you have to deal with the unpredictability of childcare (daycare illnesses...) - and so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Nicole Basa: - Instagram @nicolebasamd - Her practice B+A Medical Center Support the show

"That was the moment where I almost quit. That was my pivotal moment. We saw so many people die as a level 1 trauma center so there was so much emotional baggage that we carry as doctors through that, but I never faltered. It was always 'this is what I want to do, this is what I was born to do,' and that moment when I was verbally attacked at this grand rounds, that questioned everything to me about my choices in neurosurgery." This episode is with Dr. Sheri Dewan, a board certified neurosurgeon practicing in Chicago. In this episode we talk about: - Sheri's inspiration behind becoming a neurosurgeon - Talking with her husband while they were dating about what it would look like for the two of them to get married and her have a career in neurosurgery - How she dealt with the numerous people who told her she couldn't be a neurosurgeon - Having her children in residency training - The pivotal moment in which an attending clearly didn't want her in the residency program, publicly humiliated her and how that was the first time she thought about quitting - The support of her parents, husband and mentors that carried her through - The times in training when she might go several days where she only saw her children while they were asleep - Writing her memoir, Cutting A Path - Doing pro-bono surgeries in India, another thing people told her she couldn't do or would no longer have the desire to do after finishing her training - And so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Dewan: - Instagram @drsheridewan - drsheridewan.com - Grab a copy of her book, Cutting A Path Support the show

"I got in a lot of trouble and so I will never forget my attending said you will never keep the lights on if you practice like that." This episode is with Dr. Lauren Hughes who is a primary care pediatrician in Kansas City. In this episode we talk about: - Having kids in residency and how this might have been the worst time to have kids but there's also no good time - Having a baby intern year and then having twins in March 2020, a few months before she was going to finish residency and start her own practice - Her breastfeeding story and how it inspired her to get extra training in lactation medicine - Being a physician and caring for a child with a rare disease (her son has MCAD where he is missing an enzyme that converts fat to sugar) - The inspiration behind opening her own direct primary care practice - Operationally what it looks like to run a direct care practice and how this differs from a concierge practice - How she got started on social media and what she uses it for today - and so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Hughes: - Instagram @bloomdpc - drlaurenhughes.com Support the show

" I remember I was working a morning shift and it was 7 or 730 and I remember exactly where I am because I have a spatial memory and I was in between these two rooms. One had a STEMI and I was trying to get him to the cath lab, the other had a stroke I was trying to administer tpa and I get a phone call and the nanny is calling out." This episode is with Dr. Camie Sorenson who is an Emergency Medicine physician in Fresno, California. In this episode we talk about: - Meeting her husband and the decision not to factor in where he was living when she made her rank list - Making a long distance relationship work - Infertility and how she thinks her job contributed to this - How she managed to undergo fertility treatments - Being the first woman at her job to take maternity leave - Going on to have 4 children and what that looks like today now that they are a little older - Quitting her job when it wasn't working for her - Advocating for yourself and knowing your worth and so much more! Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Support the show

I answer some listener questions in this episode including: - My journey through med school, residenc, fellowship into being an attending - The specifics of my current job - What it's like training and raising a family in Boston - If I ever feel guilty about choosing medicine as a mom - Expectations vs reality - what I hold onto and what I let go - Best time to have a baby - Using a financial planner - Self doubt as a new attending - Dealing with childhood illness - Balancing things with spouse - Setting boundaries with work and more! Support the show

"I had Ethan when I was a fourth year resident and then my younger son, Lane, I had as a first year attending. Both of them were NICU babies. They were both preterm delivieries, both had quite a number of complications and even more prominent a memory than the experience in the ICU was that desire to avoid being a burden to your colleagues." This episode is with Dr. Erika Rangel, who is a trauma and critical care surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. We discuss: - Parental leave policies and how these effect birth and non-birth parents - Health outcomes for pregnant surgical trainees - Culture change - Her own story with having a child in training and another child later through IVF, both of whom spent time in the NICU Support the show