So often in medicine—and particularly since the beginning of the pandemic—healthcare workers have been hailed as heroes, people who are always strong in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances.
But healthcare workers are not alright. We are…
Read MoreMarch is Women’s History Month. Below are some resources to learn more about the history of women in medicine. Once you’re done reading up, take some time this month to celebrate women in medicine—past, present, and future…
Read MoreWe've all been there—feeling unlike ourselves, when something that we can't quite pinpoint just doesn't feel right. Usually, that's an indication that part of our life is out of line with what is most important to us in our heart of hearts.
That's one of the many reasons it's essential to…
Read MoreI begin this month with prayers for peace and healing in my heart.
For Christians, March 2nd marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. In the Catholic tradition, accepting ashes on the forehead symbolizes that we are sorry for our wrongdoings and commit to doing better. We take up this commitment in the hopes that we can…
Read MoreI’ve been thinking lately about the importance of what Katherine May calls “wintering.”
In a conversation about her book, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, May tells Krista Tippett, “I wanted to make it really clear that, although a lot of Wintering is about my love of winter and my affection for the cold and even the dark, that wintering is a metaphor for those phases in our life when we feel frozen out or…
Read MoreToday on the blog, check out these podcasts by and for emergency medicine physicians:
Read MoreRecently, an article called Am I invisible? One mom's pain-relieving response to being excluded resonated deeply with me.
In it, a young mother describes trying to get to know other parents at her daughter's new extra-curricular activity and feeling left out.
To be excluded, whether out of simple oversight or malice, is…
Read More“In the coldest February, as in every other month in every other year, the best thing to hold on to in this world is each other.”
— Linda Ellerbee
Recently, I came across an article that shared the surprising places people are finding joy during the pandemic…
Read MoreThough new coronavirus variants may initially cause mild infections, there is still the risk of developing symptoms of Long COVID, also known as a Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some estimates find that nearly half of all people who become infected with COVID-19 will develop long-term symptoms…
Read MoreToday on the blog, three poems of healing for difficult times…
Read MoreRecently, I came across a Facebook post with a beautiful meditation on expected death by Sarah Kerr, and I wanted to share it with you today.
Expected Death
by Sarah Kerr, Ritual Healing Practitioner and Death Doula
“When someone dies, the first thing to do is nothing…
Read MoreHappy 2022. The new year is a time for renewal, reflection, and gratitude.
If you’re setting intentions or planning on resolutions in the early days of January, let this be a note to remind you that your goals do not have to be big, lofty endeavors.
These early weeks of the year can be a time for…
Read MoreWe did it. We made it through the year. Perhaps a little worse for wear, but we’re here. No matter how you intend to spend New Year’s Eve, either with family and friends or celebrating on your own, the evening of December 31st is a beautiful time to reflect.
Here are some questions to take stock of the year behind you, and to invest in hope for the year ahead:
Read MoreThe tone of a workplace is set by its leaders, and a joyful leader can make all the difference for workplace culture.
A 2017 white paper called “IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work” says, “With increasing demands on time, resources, and energy, in addition to poorly designed systems of daily work, it’s not surprising health care professionals are experiencing burnout at increasingly higher rates, with staff turnover rates also on the rise. Yet, joy in work is more than just the absence of burnout or an issue of individual wellness; it is a…
Read MoreIf last winter is any indication, the cold will bring with them a rise in coronavirus cases. As we enter another pandemic winter, here are some things to consider as you plan the months ahead, ways to take care of your physical and mental health.
Get vaccinated…
Read More2021 is coming to a close, and I’m grateful to have shared this small corner of the internet with you for another year.
In many leadership and wellness circles, there is much talk about resilience—how to cultivate it, and how to teach positivity in the face of adversity.
But as we enter December, I’ve been thinking not of resilience, but of tenacity…
Read MoreWe know that having a sense of gratitude is essential—research shows it helps us feel more satisfied in our relationships and positively impacts our overall well-being.
There is even evidence that thankfulness can improve your health, helping you sleep better and giving your immune system a boost…
Read MoreTo end the pandemic, it is essential that anyone who can receive a COVID-19 vaccine do so. But about a quarter of Americans have expressed hesitancy about coronavirus vaccination. The reality is that the more people refuse the vaccine, the more unlikely herd immunity becomes, creating ongoing risks for everyone…
Read MoreThe greatest thing you can do to support healthcare workers is getting your free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccination. You can also send a note of gratitude or support. Here are some quotes to offer encouragement for the healthcare workers in your life:
Read More“What you remember saves you.”
― W. S. Merwin
In the Catholic tradition, November is all about remembrance—All Saints’ Day is on the first of the month, and All Souls Day on the second…
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