The Doctor's Art

The history of cardiac surgery is filled with tales of intrepid surgeons with larger-than-life personalities who pushed the limits of the human body and the bounds of what were then considered acceptable medical practices. The result? Heart transplants, pacemakers, artificial heart valves, heart-lung machines, and other once-unthinkable and experimental procedures that have now saved millions of lives. Our guest in this episode, Gerald Imber, MD, charts these remarkable developments in his 2024 book Cardiac Cowboys: The Heroic Invention of Heart Surgery. While not writing books on the history of medicine, Dr. Imber is a practicing plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Imber talks about the challenging yet rewarding training he underwent as a surgery resident, what it means to have an “eye for aesthetics,” why he decided to write a book on the history of heart surgery, stories of daring surgeons from this history, how he reconciles the drive to push the frontiers of medicine with a regard for patient safety, and more.In this episode, you’ll hear about:2:15 - What drew Dr. Imber to a career in surgery 7:55 - Dr. Imber’s grueling experiences as a general surgery resident11:52 - Dr. Imber’s transition into plastic surgery and the aesthetic sensibilities necessary for this speciality 22:46 - What Dr. Imber’s current plastic surgery practice looks like 24:28 - How Dr. Imber finds fulfillment and meaning in his work 25:21 - What motivated Dr. Imber to write Cardiac Cowboys, a book about the history of open heart surgery 30:47 - Balancing risks to patient lives with medical and surgical experimentation34:25 - A brief history of open heart surgery40:02 - Key milestones in the development of open heart surgery 45:24 - What Dr. Imber hopes readers take away from Cardiac Cowboys Dr. Gerald Imber is the author of Cardiac Cowboys: The Heroic Invention of Heart Surgery (2024) and Genius on the Edge: The Bizarre Double Life of Dr. William Stewart Halsted (2010).Dr. Imber can be found on Instagram at @geraldimbermd.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2024

Rotavirus, a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, used to kill more than half a million children annually. But the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine has slashed that number dramatically, saving hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Joining us in this episode is Paul Offit, MD, a co-inventor of one of the two most widely used rotavirus vaccines worldwide. Dr. Offit is a professor of pediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A leading world expert on vaccines, he served on the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the author of more than 15 books, most recently Tell Me When It's Over: An Insider's Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating our Post-Pandemic World (2024). Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Offit shares what drew him to pediatrics, how he developed a vaccine that now saves hundreds of kids every day, the stringent process by which new medications are approved, the origins of vaccine hesitancy. Why public health communication failed during the COVID-19 pandemic, what we can do to restore public trust in medicine, and more.In this episode, you’ll hear about: 2:24 - The harrowing experience Dr. Offit endured as a young child that inspired him to a seek a career in pediatrics6:40 - How Dr. Offit’s research led to a successful rotavirus vaccine in 2006 10:46 - A brief history of vaccines16:40 - Why Dr. Offit chose to become a public advocate for vaccines 20:14 - Why vaccines have garnered such intense backlash from large proportions of the public 26:44 - Factors that have led to an erosion of trust in public health over the past four years33:01 - What Dr. Offit means when he talks about “following the science”40:35 - How public health officials can speak about scientific knowledge in a way that acknowledges uncertainty47:37 - The future of vaccines mandates in our society 54:16 - Dr. Offit’s advice for building trust with skeptical parents Dr. Paul Offit is the author of 13 books, including Tell Me When It's Over: An Insider's Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating our Post-Pandemic World (2024).Dr. Offit can be found on Twitter/X at @DrPaulOffit.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2024

Jim Yong Kim, an influential leader in global health and poverty reduction, shares his journey from a social justice advocate to a key figure in international medicine. He discusses his unique blend of medicine and anthropology, emphasizing the moral responsibility of healthcare professionals. Dr. Kim highlights his groundbreaking work in fighting HIV and tuberculosis, insights into the World Bank's mission, and the pressing need for sustainability in global efforts. He also reflects on balancing ambition with meaningful relationships, showcasing a commitment to healthcare equity.

Ilana Yurkiewicz, MD, a Stanford oncologist and journalist, dives deep into the frustrations of a fragmented healthcare system. She shares her experiences connecting with cancer patients and the emotional toll of their journeys. The discussion highlights the failures of electronic medical records and the complexities of survivorship. Yurkiewicz stresses the importance of specialized care and improving communication within the healthcare landscape. Plus, she provides insights on navigating the burnout faced by healthcare providers while maintaining meaningful patient interactions.

Nick Riggle, a philosophy professor at UC San Diego and author of 'This Beauty,' delves into the essence of life’s worth. He shares his journey from pro-skater to philosopher, illustrating how aesthetics shape our understanding of life’s meaning. Riggle emphasizes the importance of beauty and aesthetic communities for human well-being, even amid suffering. He also reflects on the relevance of living in the moment and the subjective nature of art, arguing that appreciating beauty can transform our experiences.

Eric Horvitz, Microsoft's Chief Scientific Officer and a leader in AI, shares insights blending medicine and artificial intelligence. He reflects on how AI can enhance human well-being while acknowledging its limitations in capturing the full spectrum of human experience. Horvitz explores the fascinating relationship between human cognition and AI, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations. The conversation culminates in a vision of human-centered AI that prioritizes creativity, connection, and overall flourishing in society.

If you were to rank all the medical specialties by the arduousness of the training required, the technical complexity and high stress of the interventions involved, and the harshness of the working hours, cardiothoracic surgery would be near or at the top of anyone's list. In this episode, cardiac surgeon and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center Craig Smith, MD takes us into the heart and mind of a physician who regularly cracks open a person's chest to manipulate some of their most anatomically intricate parts in order to save their lives. He is the author of the 2023 memoir Nobility in Small Things: A Surgeon's Path, and famously performed the quadruple bypass surgery that saved former US president Bill Clinton's life in 2004. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Smith discusses the joys of exploring the human body, what motivates him to get up at 4 a.m. every day with the same burning passion for his work, why his family is one of the most important elements of work life balance, how he deals with mistakes and adverse events in the operating room, and more.In this episode, you will hear about: 2:23 - Dr. Smith’s initial path to medicine 4:43 - What drew Dr. Smith to the field of cardiothoracic surgery and how he handles the high-stakes nature of the work. 15:47 - What happens when a surgery goes not go according to plan 18:54 - Dr. Smith’s approach to comforting and connecting with patients prior to surgery 22:24 - Dr. Smith’s experience performing surgery while struggling through what he later learned was a very early case of COVID-19 in early 202029:03 - How Dr. Smith views work-life balance 34:17 - The role of spirituality and religion in Dr. Smith’s work35:51 - How Dr. Smith has retained his sense of purpose and calling throughout his career 45:28 – A patient story that encapsulates why performing surgery is so meaningful for Dr. SmithDr. Craig Smith is the author of Nobility in Small Things: A Surgeon’s Path (2023).Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2024

Kathy Guisti, a resilient cancer survivor and founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, shares her transformative journey after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She discusses her proactive approach to researching treatments, resulting in the launch of over 150 new drugs and a significant increase in life expectancy for patients. Kathy also touches on her recent breast cancer diagnosis, the emotional complexities of her experiences, and the vital role of patient advocacy in navigating the healthcare system effectively.

In the 100th episode of The Doctor's Art, we reflect on the lessons and insights we have heard from guests over the past two years. We first share the story of how The Doctor’s Art podcast came to be, then we discuss some of the most meaningful and impactful episodes for us and how the show has changed the way we practice medicine and approach life. Finally, we share exciting new directions in which we hope to take the program.In this episode, we discuss: 1:45 - How The Doctor’s Art podcast came to be 9:20 - Reflections on the growth and evolution of the podcast16:05 - The deep meaning that Tyler found in recording Episode 19 (Art, Drama and a Terminal Illness, with Ellen Dunphy), which featured a terminally ill patient under his care shortly before her passing22:35 - How Episode 41 (Love and Mercy in the ICU, with Wes Ely) set Henry up for success as he began his career as a physician30:22 - The insights on suffering in Episode 52 (A Space for Mystery, with Elisha Waldman) that have influenced Tyler’s personal and professional lives 33:25 - How Episode 65 (Everyday Wonder in Medicine and Beyond, with Dacher Keltner) helped Henry find awe in everyday moments while working in the hospital36:07 - The single sentence in Episode 73 (The Physician Who Cured Himself, with David Fajgenbaum) that has stayed with Henry and reminds him to cherish how our bodies work39:10 - The two episodes that challenged the way Tyler perceives the world (Episode 86: Reflections at the End of Sight, with Andrew Leland and Episode 91: Inside a Suicidal Mind, with Clancy Martin) 41:24 - How Dacher Keltner’s explanation of awe points to the kinds of experiences and activities we can value and why some are more transformative than others44:01 - The unexpected effect that Episode 21 (Pain, Pleasure, and Finding the Balance, with Anna Lembke) had on Tyler’s perception of addiction within our modern lives51:37 - What’s next for The Doctor’s Art podcast We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for listening to this show. We would also like to thank our guests for their generosity in sharing their time with us.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2024

In this discussion, Neil Theise, a pathologist and complexity theorist, dives into the fascinating world of complexity theory. He shares his unique journey from Jewish studies and computer science to pathology. Theise explores the intersection of science and spirituality, emphasizing how complex behaviors emerge from simple systems. He highlights the 'edge of chaos' and its role in understanding adaptive behaviors in nature. With insights on the connection between cells and consciousness, he advocates for a holistic approach that merges science with metaphysical perspectives.