In this episode, I reconnect with Dr Frances Mei Hardin, who shares her decision to leave medicine as an ENT surgeon. We talk about the impact of moral injury, the pressures of prestige in the medical field, and the vital role of self-reflection and therapy when facing life-changing choices. Frances Mei opens up about the difficulty of disappointing family and societal expectations, and how she’s now building the Hippocratic Collective to foster a supportive community for physicians. Our conversation highlights the importance of personal freedom and the courage it takes to pursue new opportunities, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.

Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/

Follow Frances Mei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/francesmeimd

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mel, who shared her journey from being an ENT surgeon to becoming a professional coach. We explore her difficult experiences in childhood and in medical training, and how coaching has helped her reclaim her sense of self-worth and empowerment. Mel introduced the concepts of black swans and red swans, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to recognize the unknowns in a patient encounter in order to be effective

Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/

Connect with Mel: https://www.melthackercoaching.com/empoweredsurgeon

https://www.instagram.com/the_surgeon_coach/

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

In this episode, I speak with Hannah and Chris, a married couple navigating the challenges of medical residency and parenthood. They share their journey from meeting during medical training to managing the complexities of Hannah's OB-GYN residency while balancing their relationship and impending parenthood. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, expectation management, and the unique challenges faced by couples in the medical field, especially when pregnancy and parenting are involved. The couple emphasizes the significance of community support, the dehumanization often faced in medicine, and the journey of sharing their story publicly to help others.

Connect with Chris and Hannah:

https://www.othersidemed.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theothersidemed/

Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd