The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

When physicians consider the field of informatics, many think the only opportunities are working in a hospital- and they want to run the other way! But as today’s guest Dr. Dan Drozd shares, informatics has so much more to offer. As the CMO of PicnicHealth, Dr. Drozd leads a multidisciplinary team that collects data from electronic medical records and uses it to improve patient care at both the micro and macro levels. He’ll discuss what he loves most about his new role, the steps he took to get there, and how you can explore opportunities in digital health and healthcare analytics.   You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/65 In this episode we’re talking about: What led Dr. Drozd to pursue a new career path The many hats Dan wears in his CMO role What he loves most about his job (and why this surprised him!) How networking paved the way for Dr. Drozd’s career transition What types of roles are available in the digital health field How to make the leap into this growing area Dan’s advice for transitioning to a nonclinical role   Links for this episode: Rock Health

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do another residency or fellowship? Many physicians consider this option, but worry they may be too old or far along in their career path to change course. Pediatrician Dr. Betsy Baker knew she needed to make some significant changes and decided to take on a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship later in her career. Her initial goal for the training was to enhance her skill set as a forensic pediatrician working in the area of high conflict co-parenting. Today she shares the ups and downs of her three year fellowship and the unexpected outcome of this training. In addition, Betsy offers specific advice for those of you considering further training later in your career. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/64 In this episode we’re talking about: Dr. Baker’s unique career in child abuse pediatrics How an imperfect work-life balance offered inspiration for change Why Betsy was experiencing burnout in her long-time role How she knew further training was the right option for her Betsy’s highs and lows during her fellowship training Dr. Baker’s experience finding a new role to fit her purpose Betsy’s advice for later-career physicians considering further training Links for this episode:   A Mid Career Fellowship Sparks a New Direction - Podcast #29 - A Family Medicine physician turns her burnout around by doing a fellowship in hospice and palliative care. An Intern Leaves and Then Has a Change of Heart - Podcast #11 - This episode features an Internal Medicine resident who left after her intern year thinking clinical practice was not for her. She worked in medical communications for 2 years and then decided to return and do an anesthesiology residency followed by a CT fellowship!

If you’re dealing with anxiety as physician, you’re not alone. And while a certain amount of anxiety can serve a purpose, it sometimes tips the scales and becomes a problem that interferes with everyday life. Excessive worry may even cause a highly competent doctor to consider leaving medicine. Today we’re talking to Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a psychologist who specializes in helping physicians cope with anxiety. She’s going to share her 4-tiered process for facing anxiety and dispel common misconceptions that keep physicians from seeking the help they need to overcome anxiety and build resilience. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/63   In this episode we’re talking about: How Dr. Jenkins became interested in working with physicians Sarah’s 4-tiered model for recognizing and managing anxiety Addressing myths that prevent seeking help Recognizing cognitive distortions that contribute to anxiety How to know if your anxiety has become maladaptive Common excuses that come up around facing anxiety Building skills to successfully cope with anxiety and increase confidence   Links for this episode: Dr. Sarah Jenkin’s Website Coping With Anxiety as a New Attending - Podcast with Dr. John Fondran A Cool Technique to Be More Present and Reduce Anxiety - Podcast Episode #7 Your CV to Resume Conversion Kit – This DIY kit guides you step-by-step on creating a customized resume for nonclinical jobs. It includes easy-to-use templates as well as a bonus section on cover letters.

When you’re feeling burned out, sometimes all it takes is just one little thing to spark an “a-ha” realization that it’s time for a change. That’s what happened to Dr. Lara Salyer when an email about a new workplace dress code proved to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Today we’ll learn how Dr. Salyer used creativity and fun as key elements in transforming her career, a process which led to her starting a solo integrative practice and publishing the book, Right Brain Rescue.  Lara shares with us why bringing in creativity and fun are so important when you’re figuring out your career path. In addition, she offers a 4-step process you can use to incorporate more creativity and fun in your life and career.    In this episode we’re talking about: What led Dr. Lara Salyer to realize she was burned out The tools Lara used to find clarity, flow, and her muse What exactly is functional and integrative medicine Dr. Salyer’s new day-to-day life practicing functional medicine Four steps to bring more fun and creativity into your life and career How to become realigned with who you really are Lara’s book, Right Brain Rescue  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/62   Links for this episode: Dr. Lara Salyer’s Website Right Brain Rescue: One Physician’s Journey from Burnout to Bliss Reveals the Creative Muse in All of Us, by Dr. Lara Salyer See One Hear One Feel One Podcast - Technique for being present

Many physicians experience anxiety, especially in those first few years of practice. And for some, this overwhelming worry can even be debilitating and affect both their professional and personal lives. Today’s guest, colorectal surgeon Dr. John Fondran, knows what it’s like to worry about your patients and your performance. He shares with us both his own experiences with anxiety in his first years practicing independently and also a helpful five-step process for coping with anxiety as a new attending. In this episode we’re talking about: Dr. Fondran’s experience with anxiety as a new attending Why some amount of worrying is normal How to identify intrusive levels of stress Who you can to turn to for help The role of getting objective feedback How perfectionism can promote anxiety Coping strategies that build confidence You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/61 Links for this episode: A cool technique to reduce anxiety and be more present - Podcast Episode #7 https://doctorscrossing.com/7/ Susan’s Story - A Surgeon’s Triumph Over Anxiety - Blog Post 

Although physicians are trained to heal others, this is often done at the expense of caring for themselves. When Dr. Danielle Gerry found herself struggling with trying to meet her patients' needs in extremely limited time, she tried to push through, but her body had other ideas. In this episode, Danielle shares seven valuable lessons she learned over the past ten years from her career transition. She discusses topics such as dealing with shame, knowing your worth, whether or not an MBA is needed, and more! You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:  www.doctorscrossing.com/60

If you’re like a lot of physicians, it can be scary to take a big leap from your secure job into something totally new. You don’t want to make a mistake or jeopardize your financial security. What if you could test drive a career idea before risking the family farm? My guest, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Sue MacLellan-Tobert, joins us to talk about how to do a test drive to explore a potential career direction or interest. She also shares how her own test drive led to work she loves as a physician coach. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/59

Not everyone who attends medical school goes on to do a residency. And for different reasons, not all physicians finish a residency. What kind of opportunities are available if this happens to be you? The short answer is, there are an infinite number of options. Dr. John Jurica, host of the Physician NonClinical Careers Podcast joins me today to discuss the wide variety of options for MD and DO graduates. He also offers a simple 3 step approach for moving forward to find a new direction for yourself. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/58

Many physicians are reluctant to work in health insurance but once they become an employee, they often like their job. Today we hear from interventional radiologist Dr. Robert Kanterman why he enjoys his work as a medical director for a large health insurer. We learn about his role doing utilization management, what he likes and dislikes, and what’s required to get hired. He addresses the common concerns around doing this work and why believes it is not going to the dark side but helpful in different ways. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/57

Today we’re looking at this question of whether or not work culture can trump the work itself. My guest, Dr. Jenny Goss, a board-certified OB/Gyn thought she was taking a temporary nonclinical job to help with burnout but ended up loving the company culture so much she decided to stay. We look at the different ways this company makes it so enjoyable to be an employee and what the work itself is like. Dr. Goss also shares some key tips on how to assess a company’s culture when you’re interviewing for a job. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/56