In Catholic tradition, Advent is about waiting….waiting for Christmas, the coming of Christ. It’s more than presents and Jolly Ole’ St. Nicholas, who yes is a real saint! I digress. Waiting, being patient, and delayed gratification are all mantras we have been taught, embraced, and lived while studying and practicing medicine. -Putting in the long […]
The stretch between expectation and reality often feels widest during the holidays—especially for physicians who carry both professional pressure and family emotional labor. Many physicians enter the Holiday Season already depleted, yet expected to show up bright, grateful, composed, and emotionally available. The usual script sounds noble: Others have it worse. Keep going. Be thankful […]
Fear shows up in medicine in quiet, familiar ways: the extra hour spent tweaking a chart, the email that sits unsent, the tough conversation that keeps getting postponed. We often dress it up as professionalism or productivity, but underneath, it’s a protective instinct. Fear tries to shield us—from risk, embarrassment, or losing control. But when […]
Surrender Is Not Giving Up—It’s Letting Go In medicine, we’re trained to control variables, plan meticulously, and anticipate every outcome. Control feels like safety. Yet, true peace and strength often come not from control—but from surrender. In this episode of The Worthy Physician Podcast, host Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque explores surrender as an act of courage, […]
What Stillness by Laura Foley Lily pads ripple in summer breeze,as if they bloomed for me,revelation-white clouds floatthrough a divine blue sky.No human voices breakthe stillness of this hilltop pondwhere I come to forgetthe foolishness of homo sapiens—where a trout leaps from the lake,splashes shining down,opening a glimpse intothe world below the surface.My dog, wet […]
First, the audio in the most recent uploaded episode was choppy. I apologize. I have uploaded a new file that is clearer. This Wednesday is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day [9/17]. This Wednesday, there will be a re-release of the episode with Dr. Dominic Corrigan, the co-founder of Physicians Anonymous. Why? I am appreciative of […]
In a heartfelt and thought-provoking dialogue, Dr. Stephen DeMeo, a neonatologist based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I explored the intricacies of medical practice, the challenges of work-life balance, the evolving role of technology in healthcare, and the future of medical education. Our candid conversation offers invaluable insights into both the personal and professional dimensions […]
In our latest Worthy Physician episode, I had the privilege of continuing my conversation with Dr. Maha Mohamad on a topic that resonates deeply with many in healthcare: how women physicians can authentically embrace leadership. This robust discussion explored the unique challenges women face in medical leadership and offered practical strategies for overcoming them. The […]
Leadership. It was a word and title from which I would hide, like a monster looking for me as if I were in a horror movie. Why was I initially scared of it? I think it is multifactorial. Although I hold an MD and MBA, leadership was never formally taught or discussed. Although it was […]
Physicians are at a crossroads in a healthcare landscape increasingly dominated by metrics, productivity targets, and administrative pressures. Do they continue down the traditional path of medical practice, potentially sacrificing their well-being and passion, or do they explore alternative avenues that allow them to stay true to their core values while still serving patients? Dr. […]
