Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen: Q&A on Becoming a Healer

In this special Q&A episode, the Surgeon General sits down with his long-time medical school mentor, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, to talk about their journeys to becoming healers. Dr. Remen is the creator of a medical training course called “The Healer’s Art,” which Dr. Murthy took as a medical student. 

As a follow-up to their House Calls episode “Can We All Be Healers?”, the pair decided to reunite and field questions from medical students and other healthcare trainees, including: How do you stay compassionate in the tough environment of the healthcare system? How do you get through career disappointments? And how can we lean our relationships to help us? 

Tune in for wisdom and stories from two of our country’s most compassionate healers. 

(04:08)    What hardships did Dr. Remen face on her road to becoming a physician healer? 

(07:57)    On dealing with Dr. Remen’s heartbreak of not matching for a residency 

(10:46)    How did Dr. Remen stay true to her humanity during the taxing time of medical training? 

(14:52)    Where does Dr. Remen turn when she feels burned out? 

(17:05)    How does Dr. Remen cope with the reality that doctors can’t always heal? 

(20:04)    How can the act of healing heal the healer? 

(27:54)    How does Dr. Remen find hope in difficult times? 

(34:08)    How do cats and social connection help Dr. Remen? 

(38:32)    What advice does Dr. Remen offer doctors? 

We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   

 

Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Physician & Teacher

Facebook: @rachelnaomiremen 

 

About Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen

Rachel Naomi Remen, MD is Clinical Professor Emeritus of Family and Community Medicine at the UCSF School of Medicine and Professor of Family Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Ohio. In 1991, she founded the Remen Institute for the Study of Health and Illness (RISHI) a national training institute for physicians, nurses, medical students, nursing students, veterinarians and other health professionals who wish to practice a health care of compassion, meaning, service and community. She is an internationally recognized medical educator whose innovative discovery model course in professionalism, resiliency and relationship-centered care for medical students, The Healer’s Art, is taught at more than 90 American medical schools and schools in seven countries abroad. Her bestselling books “Kitchen Table Wisdom” and “My Grandfather’s Blessings” have been published in 23 languages and have millions of copies in print. 

  

In recognition of her contribution to medicine and medical education, she has received numerous awards including three honorary degrees, the prestigious Bravewell Award as one of the earliest pioneers of Integrative Medicine and Relationship Centered Care. In 2013, she was voted the Gold-Headed Cane award by UCSF School of Medicine for excellence in embodying and teaching the qualities and values of the true physician. Dr. Remen has a 70-year personal history of chronic illness, and her work is a potent blend of the perspectives and wisdom of physician and patient.