Blogs
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01
How to ease men’s fear of mentoring in medicine
The blog post titled "How to ease men’s fear of mentoring in medicine" on KevinMD addresses the concerns and fears that men in the medical field have about mentoring, especially in light of the #MeToo movement. Dr. Waggel offers strategies to create a safer and more supportive environment for mentorship. She discusses the importance of clear communication, establishing professional boundaries, and fostering a culture of respect to alleviate apprehensions and encourage effective mentoring relationships.
02
Behind that computer in your doctor’s office, there is a war going on
In the article "Behind that computer in your doctor’s office, there is a war going on," published by KevinMD, Dr. Sarah Diekman highlights the challenges doctors face in the modern healthcare system. She explains how bureaucratic and legislative pressures, combined with the influence of insurance companies, negatively impact patient care and doctor-patient relationships. Dr. Diekman, speaking from her dual perspective as both a physician and a patient, emphasizes that doctors are often unfairly blamed for issues beyond their control. She describes how doctors are constrained by administrative demands, such as the need to justify every minute spent with patients, and the time-consuming process of obtaining insurance approvals for necessary treatments. Despite these obstacles, doctors continue to fight for their patients' best interests, often at great personal sacrifice. Dr. Diekman concludes by expressing gratitude to the doctors who saved her life, acknowledging the immense dedication and sacrifice they make in the face of a challenging healthcare environment.
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03
The Imposter Effect
Jamie Katuna shares a personal experience of failing a medical school test with a score of 57%, which was a first for her. She describes the shock, embarrassment, and feelings of inadequacy that followed, highlighting how failure can lead to an identity crisis where one feels like a personal failure. Katuna cites Dr. Suzanne Koven’s quote from the New England Journal of Medicine about the pervasive fear of being a fraud in the medical profession. She emphasizes that this feeling of inadequacy is common among medical students and professionals, leading many to suffer in silence, quit, or disconnect. Katuna challenges those in medicine to openly discuss their fears and mistakes, arguing that doing so can build confidence and foster a more supportive environment.
04
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Amy Wen's blog summarizes three articles addressing critical issues in the medical field. Erene Stergiopoulos, in "Illness in doctors: a source of expertise, not a sign of weakness," shares her experience as a cancer patient and medical student, challenging the notion that doctors must be superhuman and urging medical professionals to embrace their vulnerabilities for better patient care. Faye Reiff-Pasarew, in "I’m a young, female doctor. Calling me ‘sweetie’ won’t help me save your life," discusses the gender biases female doctors face, highlighting the need for respect and equal treatment in the profession. Sarah Maslin Nir's "Bronx Hospital Shooting: What We Know and What We Don’t Know" reports on a tragic shooting at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, emphasizing the need for improved security and thorough vetting processes in hospitals.
05
How Should We Deal With Physicians' Mental Health?
Jamie Katuna discusses the tragic Bronx-Lebanon hospital shooting, highlighting a critical issue: physician mental health. On June 30th, a physician entered the hospital, killing one person, wounding six others, and ultimately committing suicide. Before opening fire, he reportedly shouted, "Why didn’t you help me when I was getting in trouble?"
This incident underscores a larger issue: physicians' mental health struggles and the lack of adequate support. Statistics reveal alarming trends: one-third of physicians experience burnout, medical students have a 15%-30% higher depression rate, physicians have a 10%-20% higher divorce rate, and 300-400 physicians die by suicide annually.
The culture of medicine, characterized by high stress, lack of autonomy, sleep deprivation, and immense responsibility, contributes to these issues. Physicians often avoid seeking help due to fear of losing privileges or licenses, and a prevailing stoicism prevents them from admitting struggles.
Interventions like meditation and exercise are impractical due to time constraints. The article questions whether the "tough-it-out" mindset is inherent or created, and how to foster a supportive medical culture where seeking help is encouraged.
06
Stand Up for What You Believe In
Louis Hernandez encourages resilience, living in the present, and self-reliance. He highlights the importance of finding purpose and not being swayed by others' opinions.
About the Author:
Louis Hernandez is a health science major, cancer survivor, and aspiring military doctor.
Articles:
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Reducing Physician Burnout:
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The Southern California Permanente Medical Group is working to alleviate physician burnout.
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Accelerated Medical School Program:
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A three-year program aims to make medical school more affordable.
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Texting Suicide Case:
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Michelle Carter's conviction highlights the impact of harmful digital communication.
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Coping with Suicide Loss:
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Stresses the importance of seeking help during stressful times, especially for medical students.
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07
Perspectives in Healthcare
This blog series features interviews with Summer Fellows and health interns at Improve Life PLLC, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to gain hands-on experience in a psychiatric clinic. Each post highlights a student’s unique journey—whether they’re shadowing providers, participating in events like the Suture Clinic, or learning the logistics of running a private practice. Interns reflect on everything from developing professionalism and empathy to understanding patient confidentiality and the team-based nature of psychiatric care. Some found unexpected inspiration through marketing and clinic operations, while others deepened their passion for mental health and medicine. Together, these blogs aim to inform and inspire future healthcare students by showcasing real-world learning in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.
08
Skills in Healthcare
This blog series features interviews with Summer Fellows and health interns at Improve Life PLLC, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to gain hands-on experience in a psychiatric clinic. Each post highlights a student’s unique journey—whether they’re shadowing providers, participating in events like the Suture Clinic, or learning the logistics of running a private practice. Interns reflect on everything from developing professionalism and empathy to understanding patient confidentiality and the team-based nature of psychiatric care. Some found unexpected inspiration through marketing and clinic operations, while others deepened their passion for mental health and medicine. Together, these blogs aim to inform and inspire future healthcare students by showcasing real-world learning in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.
09
What is CRISPR?
This blog features CRISPR. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a technology that allows scientists to edit DNA in living organisms. It uses a protein that acts like molecular scissors to cut DNA at specific locations, allowing researchers to remove, add, or replace genetic material. The system was first discovered in bacteria and later adapted for gene editing. According to the National Institutes of Health, CRISPR is widely used because it is faster and more precise than older gene-editing methods. Scientists believe CRISPR could lead to major medical breakthroughs. Researchers are studying how it could treat genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease and other inherited disorders. It may also help create crops that are more resistant to disease and environmental changes. However, CRISPR raises ethical concerns. Some people worry about editing human embryos because the changes could be passed to future generations. Others are concerned about “designer babies” and unintended DNA changes. Overall, CRISPR has great potential, but careful regulation and ethical discussion are needed to ensure it is used responsibly.
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Works Cited:
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Prillaman, M. (2024, June 10). Stanford explainer: CRISPR, gene editing, and beyond. News.stanford.edu; Stanford Report. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/stanford-explainer-crispr-gene-editing-and-beyond
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​Smith, K. (2024). What is CRISPR? | national institute of general medical sciences. Nih.gov. https://nigms.nih.gov/biobeat/2024/10/what-is-crispr
10
Gen Alpha and the Rise of “Brain Rot”
This blog series features the phenomena of "brain rot" and its effects on Gen Alpha. Generation Alpha (kids born roughly between 2010 and 2025) are the first generation to grow up fully immersed in the world of phones, tablets, and other technology. While technology offers huge benefits for learning and connection, there’s a growing concern among parents and teachers on something called "brain rot.” This slang term describes the mental fatigue and reduced attention that can come from constant exposure to mindless content online.
​GLP-1 agonists aka Ozempic
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GLP-1 agonists are medicines that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Ozempic is one example of this type of medication. Ozempic works by acting like GLP-1, a hormone your body naturally produces that decreases blood sugar and makes you feel fuller after eating. Other GLP-1 agonists include Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, and Exenatide. In clinical studies, GLP-1 agonists have caused weight loss and lower blood sugar levels among people living with diabetes. Possible side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and decreased appetite. Serious side effects may include pancreas inflammation, gallbladder problems (including gallstones) and dehydration caused by severe vomiting. There is a risk for thyroid tumors in individuals with genetic syndromes that predispose them to tumors. In some cases, people taking Ozempic rapidly lose too much weight and reach a dangerously low body weight. This can result in loss of muscle mass and nutritional deficiencies if not monitored by a physician. For these reasons, these drugs are only recommended to be taken under a doctor's care and in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes.
References
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/medication
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For information related to this topic check out this video
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