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Author Archives: anne
Vishnu, Protector of Humanity
“Some days I feel like I have the best job in the world.” Dr. Vishnu works at an FQHC-designated clinic in California. She calls me between the demands of work and parenting. “We are invited into people’s intimate lives and … Continue reading
The Apollo Mission
I reconnected with Dr. Apollo (a pseudonym) after my recent Oberlin College reunion. I’m a doc, you’re a doc, let’s chat sometime. He agrees to be interviewed after reading my blog post on physician burnout. “Oh my gosh,” he says. … Continue reading
Lend Me Your Eir
Over 13,000 people read my recent post on physician burnout. Thank you. Clearly, folks are interested in this topic. Smart researchers are examining provider stress and burnout. Readers mentioned several resources including Let My Doctor Practice and Physicians Working Together. … Continue reading
Laying Down My Stethoscope
One of the Star Tribune’s leading articles 8/7/16 is “Doctors Battling Crisis of Burnout.” The article talks about how many health care organizations are recognizing physician stress and burnout as an important issue and taking steps to help providers develop … Continue reading
Heart, Broken
Rafa the Pomeranian turns eight in August. When I accidentally acquired Rafa in the summer of 2011 (Happy Birthday to me!), Second Chance Animal Rescue thought he was about three. I decided his birthday would be August 8, a date … Continue reading
Things Fall Apart
Entropy beckons. All systems crave chaos. Wrinkles. Dementia. Peeling paint. Cleveland devolves, a frenzied orgy of hate. Stone her! Maggots in the flour. Will the bread rise? Will the bread rise? Entropy makes his grand entrance, adorned with careless exclamation … Continue reading
Fresher Than
I met Mademoiselle in the fall of 1993. We were sudden housemates at the rundown Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity. Please understand that Phi Rho wasn’t a frat in the Animal House sense of the word. No goldfish, no hazing, … Continue reading
Disease Model of Systemic Racism
Chief Complaint: Stage IV Systemic Racism History of Present Illness: The USA is a North American Country with a 250+ year history of Institutionalized Racism. Multiple prior exacerbations include: slavery, annihilation/dispossession/forced assimilation/reservation marginalization of native peoples, the Chinese Exclusion Act, … Continue reading
You Tarzan, Me Offended
“I’m sorry.” These were the first words I uttered to my friend Molly, after dragging her out to see Tarzan on one of the finest afternoons of the summer. “Looking on the bright side,” she replied, “at least we know … Continue reading
When N is Greater Than 1
We borrowed a couple children this past weekend, imported them direct from Wisconsin. The sister and brother duo arrived on Friday and returned home Sunday. These children are perfect; they’re polite, helpful, not especially sticky, musical, they follow directions, they … Continue reading