Ripples: Physician Well-Being

Specializing in treating chronic stress and anxiety, psychologist and adjunct faculty at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Lindsay Bira explains the importance of fostering emotional awareness to benefit our daily interactions and long-term health. We talk through feelings of guilt, regret, and shame and connect our reactive behaviors to the emotions we feel. In this episode she touches upon the use of tethers or practices that help guide or extricate us from maladaptive thinking or behaviors. The pebble she leaves us with is an example of one type of tether.

Dr. Kanapa Kornsawad speaks about her experience practicing compassionate living and self-compassion. We also discuss the importance of noticing, feeling, and responding in the moment and ethical mindfulness. --- Compassion in health care is more than empathy for patients – it’s also about YOU. This season, our co-hosts will unfold the multiple facets of compassion and the benefits gained when lending yourself a little more grace.

Our co-hosts introduce and discuss the inspiration behind this season’s focus: the Facets of Compassion, a course structured around eight modules to address compassion for self, others, and society. For the first module, we learn about three elements that can help ease a trainee’s busy and sometimes chaotic mind. --- Compassion in health care is more than empathy for patients – it’s also about YOU. This season, our co-hosts will unfold the multiple facets of compassion and the benefits gained when lending yourself a little more grace.

We're back! Season 3 begins March 7. This season, Ripples: Physician Well-Being will focus on the theme “Facets of Compassion”: compassion for self, others, and society. The Long School of Medicine Office for Graduate Medical Education utilizes a compassion course to combat feelings of Imposter Syndrome, guilt, or shame with challenging patient outcomes, as well as teaching mindset adjustment to promote higher self-kindness. For each facet of compassion, we’ll provide you with an episode about recognizing when an instance can require grace and the pebble to activate it. We’re happy you’re with us; let’s create some ripples!

A compilation of our special guests’ pebbles from Season 2. Collect all the pebbles and create powerful waves of well-being in your life! Learn more about the services The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine Office for Graduate Medical Education Wellness Home can provide at gmewellness.uthscsa.edu.

Dr. Cari Calvo-Strube wears a lot of hats; she's the associate program director for wellness in the Department of Surgery at UT Health San Antonio, an Assistant Professor in Breast Surgical Oncology, and a Leader in the Breast Cancer Surgical Program at Mays Cancer Center. She shares her personal life path during training and how she continues prioritizing wellness at home and in the clinic. As a practicing breast surgical oncologist, she also addresses rising statistics for breast cancer in younger women.

Mindfulness expert, yoga therapist, and educator Melissa Aguirre discusses the science behind practicing healthy coping mechanisms to reduce stress and fuel vitality back into the body.

Dr. Winifred Mak answers our questions about IVF treatments, egg freezing, emotional support and cost for trainees exploring family planning. More resources can be found on Dr. Mak’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/miscarriagemd/?hl=en.

Dating can be tough, but dating during training is tougher. Dr. Ifie Williams, founder and CEO of the dating app Miss Doctor, joins us to discuss the inspiration for her physician-only relationship platform and her goals to help successful women fulfill their personal lives.

We speak with certified student loan professional Andrew Paulson, a financial expert who works closely with health professionals on the different programs and paths trainees can take to pay off student loans. Find more resources and advice at https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/.

Dr. Victor Smith MD, a neonatology fellow at UT Health San Antonio, takes us through a detailed journey into financial well-being, one of the 8 domains of wellness. He provides information about budgeting apps, student loans, and the Public Loan Forgiveness Program. It is a must-listen episode for residents and junior faculty.

Vidhya Illuri, MD, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of eating well while managing the stressful life of a resident on rotation and suggests dietary changes to improve one's well-being. Find Dr. Illuri's recipe ideas here: https://www.instagram.com/dr.illuris.pantry/?hl=en

Tips and ideas about how to eat to promote your wellbeing, even during stressful times. Vijaya Botla, president and lead registered dietitian of Alamo Nutrition Consultants, helps us understand different types of diets that promote health and wellness, including diverse diets.

Dharam Kaushik, MD joins the podcast to discuss the physical and mental benefits of practicing yoga [7:39] and offers an easy breathing exercise to become present in the moment [14:59]. Learn more about the Wellness Home at GMEWellness.UTHSCSA.edu Catch up on past episodes at https://uthscsa.edu/medicine/education/gme/wellness/ripples-podcast-directory Questions? Email Ripples at GMEWellness@uthscsa.edu

A collection of pebbles from Season 1. Collect all the pebbles and create powerful waves of well-being in your lives.

Dr. Jon Courand, Assistant Dean for Wellbeing at UT Health San Antonio leads our discussion on how to set healthy boundaries in clinical and academic environments, in the second part of our "Healthy Boundaries" series.

Join us to explore what boundaries really are, how to explore our boundary blueprint, and where to start setting healthy boundaries. Our own Dr.Adriana Dyurich, Academic Success and Behavioral Health Consultant for GME, UT Health SA converses with Dr. Veena Prasad and Dr. Jon Courand, the other members of the Wellness Team. For more episodes: https://www.uthscsa.edu/academics/medicine/education/gme/wellness/ripples-podcast

Time to talk about depression and self-harm. We are addressing ways to support mental health to reduce stigma and encourage health-seeking behavior. What can we do to promote an open dialogue among physicians about depression and suicide? A conversation with Dr. Scott Jones, Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and DIO of LSOM and co-creator of the video, "Time to Talk About It."

Join us to explore ways in which athletes and medical residents use self-agency to connect mental, spiritual and physical health for success and wellbeing. Listen to Ripples, Episode 6, with our own Dr. Marie Charpentier, Director of the Athletic Training Residency, UT Health SA and the Director of Rehabilitation at the University of Texas San Antonio supporting the successful UTSA Football team.

Join us as we learn about balance and the importance of being happy over being special. Listen to Ripples, episode 5, with our beloved heart surgeon, mindful runner, and “ski-bum”, Dr. AJ Carpenter.