The Doctor's Art

Terminal lucidity is a mysterious yet well-documented phenomenon in which someone at the end of life—including those who have suffered strokes or other brain injuries, or those afflicted by dementia—suddenly returns with mental clarity and is able to recognize loved ones and engage in meaningful and emotionally rich conversations. It challenges our fundamental understanding and assumptions about the nature of consciousness, brain function in the context of severe illness, and personhood. In this episode, Alexander Batthyány, PhD, a cognitive scientist and the Director of the Viktor Frankl Institute, offers insights on terminal lucidity from his years of study on this phenomenon from a philosophical, ethical, neurological, and psychological perspective. He is the author of the 2023 book Threshold: Terminal Lucidity and the Border of Life and Death.Over the course of our conversation, he shares how witnessing terminal lucidity in his grandmother has shaped his life purpose, why he chooses to use the word “soul” in his academic research, the role of spirituality and religion in making sense of terminal lucidity, the limits of our scientific and materialistic understanding of the brain, what terminal lucidity reveals about the dignity and unpredictability inherent in the human condition, and what it ultimately teaches us about kindness and compassion. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 2:31 - The personal experience that drew Dr. Batthyány to study terminal lucidity 6:34 - An exploration of human dignity12:26 - The importance of talking and thinking about the human “soul”18:26 - Definition and phenomenology of terminal lucidity23:57 - What is known about brain functioning during episodes of terminal lucidity 31:44 - Advice for caregivers, family members, and clinicians if a patient experiences terminal lucidity36:55 - The prevalence of terminal lucidity 40:14 - Whether individuals who experience terminal lucidity have insight into their condition42:15 - Why phenomena like terminal lucidity matterDr. Alexander Batthyány is the author of Threshold: Terminal Lucidity and the Border of Life and Death (2023).Dr. Batthyány can be found in Twitter/X at @Alxdr_Batthyany. 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

David Skorton, a leader in medical education and former president of Cornell University, shares his inspiring journey from aspiring musician to prominent cardiologist. He discusses the impact of his immigrant background and the significance of arts in medicine. Skorton emphasizes humility in leadership, the value of learning from every healthcare interaction, and the need for inclusive decision-making in organizations. He also explores the evolving landscape of medical education amid technological advancements and advocates for diversity in healthcare teams.

In spring of 2020, Cornelia Griggs, MD was finishing her nearly decade-long training to become a pediatric surgeon in New York City, when COVID-19 struck and life fell apart. The hospital was flooded with mysteriously sick patients for whom no known treatments existed, basic supplies disappeared from shelves, and each day at work took on an existential burden as she wondered if this would be the day she caught the deadly disease herself. Dr. Griggs describes these dramatic stories from the early days of the pandemic in her 2024 memoir, The Sky Was Falling. Today, she is a triple board-certified pediatric surgeon, having completed medical school and pediatric surgery fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center, and her adult general surgery residency and surgical critical care fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she currently practices. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Griggs describes the course of her challenging training in medicine, why it takes “a little crazy” to succeed as a surgeon, harrowing moments that defined heroism amid the throes of the pandemic, how she continued working even when giving up was the easy option, and more.In this episode, you’ll hear about: 2:26 - What initially drew Dr. Griggs into the field of medicine and to the speciality of pediatric surgery 14:35 - Why the operating room is a “safe space” for Dr. Griggs19:36 - The sense of alarm that Dr. Griggs experienced in the early days of the pandemic that drove her to write her viral New York Times op-ed, The Sky is Falling 28:26 - How Dr. Griggs fell into an “investigative reporter” headspace as the pandemic raged around her in New York City 30:26 - The sense of fear that enveloped both patients and the medical community during the first months of the pandemic 40:27 - A moment during the early pandemic when Dr. Griggs seriously considered leaving the city and her post in the hospital46:30 - How ICU nurses brought dignity and humanity when tending to seriously ill COVID-19 patients51:16 - The hopefulness Dr. Griggs carries in seeing the large number of people who have entered medicine since the pandemicDr. Cornelia Griggs can be found on Twitter/X at @CorneliaLG.Dr. Griggs is the author ofThe Sky Was Falling (2024).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 engaging discussion, Linda Fried, a respected researcher and Dean at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, shares her insights on addressing the health challenges of an aging population. She reflects on her unique journey from social work to medicine, highlighting how early experiences shaped her view on justice and healthcare. Dr. Fried discusses the consequences of over-medicalizing health issues and the critical role of community in enhancing joy among older adults, advocating for a more holistic and equitable approach to health.

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.