Doctors Making A Difference

By Peter M. Crane, MD

Not every doctor dreams of climbing the traditional ladder. Some dream of building their own.

Doctors Making a Difference, hosted by Dr. Peter Crane, tells the stories we rarely hear, of physicians w... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Doctors Making A Difference:

How many episodes does Doctors Making A Difference have?

The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.

Doctors Making A Difference episodes:

July 09, 2026Algorithmic Trading, Financial Freedom & Alternatives for Busy Physicians With Jeff Sekinger | DMD#91
This episode is sponsored by NURP
NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required.
Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more.
Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice.
—-----------------------------
In this episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Jeff Sekinger, founder of NURP (algorithmic trading software), Zero Percent (financial education), and Orca Capital (digital asset hedge fund). Jeff shares his journey from JPMorgan to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind creating accessible quant strategies for non-accredited investors, and how NURP’s Midas strategy brings hedge fund-level tools to individual brokerage accounts.
The conversation covers the challenges physicians face with time, financial education, and diversification; the power of positive expectancy strategies; market-neutral trading vs. traditional buy-and-hold; liquidity and autonomy in algorithmic trading; and realistic portfolio allocation (1-20%). Jeff emphasizes education, risk management, backtesting, and third-party verification while stressing that this is not financial advice and trading involves significant risk.
Episode Highlights
Jeff’s early investing lessons from his dad and transition from JPMorgan to founding three finance companies

The gap between ultra-high-net-worth access (private equity, hedged products) and what most physicians can realistically get

Modern Portfolio Theory, the Efficient Frontier, and the role of uncorrelated alternatives

Why most day traders lose money and how algorithmic software removes emotion, timing, and execution errors

Midas strategy: Gold-focused, backtested 15+ years, live 16-month track record with strong outperformance

Investor autonomy, keep capital in your own brokerage, full liquidity, adjustable risk settings, equity protection

Market-neutral exposure: Strategy sits in cash and only trades on high-probability setups

Common physician investing pitfalls and the value of diversification beyond 401(k)s and index funds

Demo/trial option for physicians to test the strategy risk-free before committing capital

Transparency through MyFXBook verification and Alpha Performance Services
Top 3 Takeaways
Financial independence gives physicians the freedom to pursue mission-driven work, lack of it quietly limits options.

Algorithmic trading can provide uncorrelated, market-neutral exposure with positive expectancy, but it still carries real risk of loss and belongs as a small, diversified portion (1-20%) of a broader portfolio.

Busy professionals benefit from tools that remove emotion and manual execution, education, backtesting, liquidity, and personal control are essential when exploring alternatives.
About the Guest
Jeff Sekinger is the founder of NURP, Zero Percent, and Orca Capital. With experience at JPMorgan in asset management, he builds financial education tools and algorithmic trading strategies designed to give higher-net-worth individuals (including many medical professionals) access to sophisticated, quantitative approaches in their own brokerage accounts.
Connect with Jeff Sekinger
Website: start.nurp.com/doctors
Learn more and try the demo at nurp.com
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.
About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
41min
July 02, 2026Bariatric Surgery Versus GLP-1s: The Real Talk on Weight Loss That Works | Dr. Alexa Roth | DMD#90
This episode is sponsored by NURP
NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required.
Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more.
Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice.
—-----------------------------
In this episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Dr. Alexa Roth, a bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist running a Center of Excellence program in Idaho. Dr. Roth discusses her path from competitive athlete and reluctant surgery student to falling in love with bariatric surgery, the psychological aspects of weight management, and how to approach patients with empathy and evidence-based options. They explore the strengths and limitations of lifestyle changes, GLP-1 medications, and surgical interventions, cost comparisons, insurance challenges, medical tourism risks, and early intervention in pediatric obesity. Dr. Roth also shares insights on public education through social media and her website.
Episode Highlights
From competitive athlete and internal medicine leanings to discovering a passion for surgery during a long Nissen redo case

Why bariatric surgery offers uniquely rewarding long-term patient relationships and near-100% satisfaction

The combination of technical laparoscopic skill, psychology/psychiatry overlap, and life-changing outcomes that drew her to the field

Patient-centered approach: Meeting patients where they are, understanding their story, and avoiding shame/blame messaging

Spectrum of treatments, lifestyle (5-7% TBWL), medications (up to ~22%), and surgery (20-40%+ TBWL), and how to match them to patient goals

GLP-1 revolution making obesity more approachable and increasing patient willingness to seek care

Cost comparison: Bariatric surgery often pays for itself in under a year vs. ongoing brand GLP-1 costs; long-term savings for the healthcare system

Risks of medical tourism (lack of follow-up, complications, nutritional issues) and the importance of comprehensive lifelong support

Early intervention in children and adolescents; family-wide benefits when adults pursue treatment

Using authentic, short-form social media content to combat misinformation and educate the public
Top 3 Takeaways
Obesity is a chronic disease driven by genetics, epigenetics, and environment. Treat it with the same nuance and tools (lifestyle + meds + surgery) as diabetes or hypertension, not just “eat less and move more.”

The best treatment is the one the patient will actually stick with; shared decision-making using realistic expectations on efficacy, cost, and lifelong commitment leads to better adherence.

Surgery and medications are complementary tools, not competitors. Comprehensive programs that offer all options deliver superior, sustainable results and change entire families.
About Dr. Alexa Roth
Dr. Alexa Roth is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist in Idaho. She leads a comprehensive weight management program recognized as a Center of Excellence. A former competitive swimmer and triathlete, she brings discipline and empathy to her practice. She is passionate about patient education, reducing stigma around obesity, and using social media to share evidence-based information.
Website: www.drrothweightloss.com
Instagram: @drrothweightloss
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
40min
June 25, 2026Rare Cancer Breakthroughs: How Tissue & Data Donation Saves Lives | Barbara VanHare | LMC#89
This episode is sponsored by NURP
NURP helps busy physicians grow their wealth through AI-powered algorithmic trading designed for demanding careers. No day trading, no guesswork, and no constant market watching required.
Ready to put your money to work? Visit start.nurp.com/doctors to learn more.
Trading involves risk, and results may vary. This is not financial advice.
-------------------------------------------------------------
In this episode of Living with Metastatic Cancer, Dr. Peter Crane (physician and SFT patient) interviews Barbara Van Hare. They explore the challenges of researching rare cancers due to small patient numbers, scattered data, and institutional hurdles. Barbara shares how pattern.org empowers patients to donate fresh or stored tissue and medical records, making them available to researchers globally through a de-identified biobank and data commons. The conversation covers the practical donation process, benefits for patients and clinicians, funding model, incidental findings, and the power of aggregated data in driving discoveries for rare cancers like SFT, sarcomas, and others.
Episode Highlights
Barbara’s personal connection to rare cancers through family history and her nephew Mark’s founding of the Rare Cancer Research Foundation

The mission of pattern.org: centralizing excess tissue and clinical data from patients across the US to support researchers

Step-by-step patient donation process, online consent, kits for fresh tissue (with self-cooling technology), and support for stored tissue/blocks

How Pattern navigates institutional and regulatory barriers with a ~95% success rate in obtaining consented samples

Benefits of a centralized, open-source biobank and data commons vs. siloed institutional collections

No cost to patients or institutions; researchers pay modest fees for tissue access (data is free for most)

Potential for incidental findings to benefit individual patients and the value of genomic sequencing data

Importance of patient-initiated and clinician-supported donations for building meaningful research cohorts in ultra-rare cancers like SFT
Top 3 Takeaways
Patients with rare cancers hold the key to progress, donating excess tissue and data through pattern.org directly accelerates discoveries that individual institutions often cannot achieve alone.

Pattern.org makes participation simple and low-burden with online consent, pre-packaged kits, and full support for navigating hospital processes.

Centralized biobanks and data commons are essential for rare disease research; aggregating samples and information enables pattern recognition and new therapies that small, scattered datasets cannot.
About Barbara VanHare
Barbara Van Hare is President of pattern.org and has been with the Rare Cancer Research Foundation since 2014. With a background in sales and marketing from Hallmark Cards, she brings patient advocacy and operational expertise to bridge the gap between rare cancer patients, advocacy groups, and researchers. Her family’s experiences with multiple rare cancers drive her commitment to removing barriers in tissue and data access.
Connect with Barbara Van Hare
pattern.org

rarecancer.org

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

ABOUT THE HOST:

Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.
About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
41min
June 18, 2026Hope for Patients with Solitary Fibrous Tumor: Advances in Sarcoma Care With Dr. Robin Jones | LMC#88
In this episode of Living With Metastatic Cancer, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Professor Dr. Robin Jones as he shares his career journey from the UK to Seattle and back, the heterogeneity of sarcomas, the importance of the NAB2/STAT6 fusion for accurate SFT diagnosis, emerging site-directed therapies targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP), anti-angiogenic treatments, and the real-world challenges of research funding and medication access in different healthcare systems. A hopeful and practical conversation for patients, physicians, and researchers dealing with rare cancers.
Episode Highlights
Dr. Jones’ career path: UK training, five years at Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington in Seattle, and return to The Royal Marsden

The rarity, heterogeneity, and wide anatomic distribution of sarcomas making diagnosis and trials difficult

Evolution of solitary fibrous tumor diagnosis from “diagnosis of exclusion” to molecular confirmation via NAB2/STAT6 rearrangement

Promising FAP-directed therapies (including FAP-activated doxorubicin and radioligands) for more precise tumor targeting

Anti-angiogenic agents (bevacizumab, pazopanib, sunitinib, cabozantinib) and their variable effectiveness in metastatic SFT

Challenges of drug access and reimbursement in the UK NHS versus other countries

Importance of clinical trials, tissue donation to biobanks, and building a “mosaic” of research funding for rare cancers

Strategic approach to offering clinical trials early in metastatic disease to expand treatment options
Top 3 Takeaways
Molecular confirmation (e.g., NAB2/STAT6) has transformed SFT from a vague diagnosis of exclusion into a well-defined entity, enabling better research and targeted treatments.

Site-directed therapies like FAP-targeted approaches represent the future of precision oncology, delivering potent agents (chemotherapy or radiation) directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.

For rare cancers, clinical trial participation and tissue donation are powerful ways patients can contribute to progress; trials should often be considered early as they can expand, rather than limit, future options.
About Dr. Robin Jones
Professor Robin Jones is a medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Professor at The Institute of Cancer Research in London. He specializes in the treatment of sarcomas, including solitary fibrous tumors. He previously spent five years at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington in Seattle. He is actively involved in clinical trials and translational research aimed at developing more precise therapies for sarcoma patients.

Connect with Dr. Robin Jones on:
X/Twitter: @robinl_jones
Institution: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/our-consultants-units-and-wards/consultant-directory/professor-robin-jones
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.
About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
32min
June 11, 2026Radiology, Rare Tumors & the Human Side of Medicine with Dr. Sagar Naik | LMC#87
In this episode of Living with metastatic cancer, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Dr. Sagar Naik, an abdominal imaging oncologic radiologist at MD Anderson. Dr. Naik opens up about his unconventional path from Africa to UCLA and Baylor College of Medicine, his deep expertise in sarcomas and rare tumors, the evolving practice of radiology, and the very real human impact of precise imaging interpretation. They explore misconceptions about radiology’s role, the challenges of remote reading, the promise (and limits) of AI, and strategies to combat burnout through reflection and financial preparedness.
Episode Highlights
Growing up in Zambia (Southern Africa) as part of an Indian diaspora community, moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, attending junior college then UCLA, and eventually Baylor Med School

Path to radiology: Drawn to the technology and problem-solving during a medical school rotation; fellowships in interventional and abdominal imaging

Meeting a solitary fibrous tumor patient (Dr. Peter Crane) and the emotional impact of deep subspecialty expertise on rare diseases

The critical, often under-appreciated role of radiologists in cancer care especially nuanced assessment of treatment response beyond simple size measurements

Dramatic changes in radiology: From film printing and slow workflows to high-volume, high-resolution imaging available in minutes

Remote reading, loss of in-person collaboration, and how volume has skyrocketed with technology

The promise of AI for efficiency, error reduction, and specific detections (e.g., pulmonary emboli) ,but not replacement of radiologists

Burnout, career transitions, and the importance of financial independence so medicine remains a joy rather than a financial necessity

Wisdom for young physicians: Focus on the next step, believe it’s possible, and remember every doctor brings a unique story
Top 3 Takeaways
Radiology is far more than “just reading films” expert interpretation directly shapes treatment decisions, especially for rare tumors and nuanced responses to modern therapies like immunotherapy.

Technology has transformed the field (faster, better, higher volume), but human expertise, context, and attention to detail remain irreplaceable.

To sustain a long career in medicine, reflect honestly on the true sources of burnout, pursue financial independence, and remember the profound difference your work makes even when you don’t see the patient face-to-face.
About Dr. Sagar Naik
Dr. Sagar Naik is an abdominal imaging oncologic radiologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He completed fellowships in interventional radiology and abdominal imaging. With a unique background growing up in Zambia before moving to the United States, Dr. Naik brings deep expertise in sarcoma imaging and complex oncologic cases. He is passionate about the meaningful impact radiologists have on patient outcomes and continues to practice with purpose while mentoring the next generation.

About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.

The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
37min
June 04, 2026Conflict Resolution in Medicine: From Avoidance to Transformation with Dr. Lee Sharma | DMD#86
In this episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane sits down with Dr. Lee Sharma, a practicing OB/GYN in Auburn, Alabama, and host of the Scalpel and Sword podcast. Dr. Sharma opens up about her unique path into medicine, influenced by her physician parents, her early love for women’s health, and the burnout that led her to pursue a master’s degree in conflict resolution. Together, they explore why conflict is a “vital sign” in healthcare, practical techniques for de-escalating tension, the power of curiosity and storytelling, and how addressing conflict proactively preserves relationships and mental energy.
Episode Highlights
Double major in music performance and pre-med; choosing OBGYN after falling in love with women’s health

Growing up with a surgeon father and pathologist mother who exposed her to medicine early

The shift from conflict avoidance to embracing conflict as transformative after completing a master’s in conflict resolution

Launching the Scalpel and Sword podcast to help physicians navigate conflict more effectively

The powerful technique: “Tell me your story” reducing defensiveness with patients and colleagues

Why repairing relationships (apologizing after difficult interactions) is worth the courage

The hidden “mental cost” of avoiding conflict vs. investing a few minutes to truly listen

Building trust by starting with shared values and common ground

Balancing clinical practice with mediation, consulting, and thought leadership
Top 3 Takeaways
Conflict is a vital sign, not an illness. It signals something important that needs attention and, when handled well, can lead to creative solutions and stronger relationships.

“Tell me your story” is one of the most effective ways to lower defenses and create understanding, far more powerful than asking “Why do you feel that way?”

Investing a small amount of time to listen and repair relationships saves far more mental energy in the long run and reduces the likelihood of escalation, including patient complaints or lawsuits.
About Dr. Lee Sharma
Dr. Lee Sharma is a board-certified OB/GYN practicing in Auburn, Alabama. After completing her residency at Parkland Hospital in Texas, she moved to Auburn in 1997. A former music performance major, she brings creativity and empathy to her work. Facing dissatisfaction in practice, she earned a master’s degree in conflict resolution and now works as a mediator and consultant helping hospitals and healthcare systems manage conflict. She is the host of the Scalpel and Sword podcast.
Website: rleesharma.com
Podcast: Scalpel and Sword
Email: [email protected]

About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
41min
May 28, 2026Combating Burnout Through Global Service with Dr. Arthur Burnett | DMD #85
In this heartfelt episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Dr. Arthur Burnett, Professor of Urology at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Burnett discusses his path into urology, key scientific contributions (including work on Viagra and penile transplantation), and his decades-long commitment to global health through missions in the Caribbean and Africa. He offers practical wisdom on avoiding burnout, finding purpose through service, building international collaborations, and staying engaged in medicine over a 40+ year career. This episode is filled with inspiration for physicians at any stage who want to make a broader impact while sustaining their love for the profession.
Episode Highlights
Dr. Burnett’s early life, ROTC service, and path to becoming a surgeon-scientist at Johns Hopkins

Groundbreaking contributions to men’s health, including research behind Viagra and leading a penile transplant

Decades of international mission work in Jamaica, Nigeria, and across Africa and the Caribbean

Founding UroMissions Works to improve urologic care and training in underserved regions

Addressing priapism in sickle cell disease and scaling impact through local training and discovery

Practical advice on time management, stamina, and balancing clinical work, research, teaching, and service

Reflections on burnout prevention, the “chores” of medicine, and finding joy through purpose and gratitude

Guidance for early-career physicians choosing specialties and mid-career doctors seeking renewed fulfillment
Top 3 Takeaways
International service work is deeply bidirectional, you often gain more in perspective, humility, and purpose than you give, helping combat burnout.

Build impact that outlasts your personal presence by training local physicians and collaborating on discovery work that addresses regionally prevalent conditions.

Medicine’s challenges (“the chores”) become more manageable when balanced with variety, research, teaching, clinical craft, and meaningful service and a grateful mindset.
About Dr. Arthur Burnett
Dr. Arthur Burnett is a distinguished urologic surgeon, surgeon-scientist, and Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he has served for over 43 years. His clinical and research focus is men’s health, with major contributions to erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer (particularly in minority populations), and complex reconstructive surgery. He has performed pioneering work including early research supporting Viagra and leading a penile transplant. Through his nonprofit UroMissions Works, he provides surgical care, training, and scientific collaboration in underserved areas, especially the Caribbean and Africa.
Connect with Dr Arthur on:

Website: drarthurburnett.com
Linkedin: Dr Arthurburnett

About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
33min
May 21, 2026Why Plastic Surgery Isn’t About Vanity with Dr. Susan Chobanian | DMD#84
In this heartfelt episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Dr. Susan Chobanian, a highly experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Glendale, California. Dr. Chobanian discusses her unconventional path from math/chemistry teaching aspirations to medicine, her transition from ENT to facial plastics, and her deep commitment to whole-patient care. She addresses myths about plastic surgery, details her patient-centered approach (especially in rhinoplasty), shares inspiring multi-generational patient stories, and offers wisdom for young physicians on technical excellence, physical fitness, psychology, and sustaining joy in medicine.
Episode Highlights
Growing up in Wisconsin, graduating high school at 15, starting college at 15, and becoming one of the youngest licensed physicians in Wisconsin at age 23

Transition from math/chemistry and teaching aspirations to medicine, inspired by her dentist father and the respect for the profession

Early career in ENT/head & neck in Wisconsin, then a fellowship in facial plastic surgery in sunny California

Plastic surgery as the perfect merger of art and science , improving both appearance and patients’ self-confidence for greater success in life

Common misconceptions: plastic surgery is only for vanity, the wealthy, or women (she notes ~50% male rhinoplasty patients)

The power of closed (scarless) rhinoplasty technique, a “lost art” that delivers better healing and natural results while preserving ethnicity and individuality

Multi-generational patients (2nd and 3rd generations), patient success stories, and receiving ongoing feedback about life-changing outcomes

Importance of physical fitness for surgeons (gym 4x/week, deadlifting 120 lbs, running) to maintain performance in the OR

In-depth consultations, setting realistic expectations, and treating the whole patient, psychological and social aspects matter

Advice for medical students/residents considering plastic surgery and for all physicians on sustaining long, fulfilling careers
Top 3 Takeaways
Plastic surgery is far more than vanity, it’s about helping patients gain confidence to succeed in life; everyone deserves to feel they belong in the “realm of attractive people.”

Technical excellence + artistic vision + psychological insight = outstanding outcomes. Closed rhinoplasty, preserving ethnic identity, and drawing proposed results on patient photos help deliver natural, personalized results.

To enjoy a long career in surgery, stay physically fit, remain self-critical of your results, follow patients long-term, and never forget you are a physician first who must care for the whole person.
About Dr. Susan Chobanian
Dr. Susan Chobanian is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Glendale, California, with over 25 years of experience. She began her career in ENT before specializing in facial plastics. Known affectionately by patients as the “Queen of Rhinoplasty” for her expertise in closed rhinoplasty techniques, she has cared for multiple generations of patients and is passionate about helping people achieve natural-looking results that boost confidence and life success. She continues to practice with enthusiasm and mentors students and residents.
Website: SusanLChobanianMD.com
Instagram: SusanChobanianMD
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
34min
May 14, 2026New Hope for SFT Patients: Research, Trials and Breakthroughs with Dr. Gina D’Amato | LMC #83
Dr. Peter Crane welcomes Dr. Gina D’Amato, sarcoma medical oncologist and leader of the Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Initiative at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. They discuss the current state of SFT research, the importance of the global patient registry and biobank, preliminary findings from molecular profiling, and major developments including a rapid oral abstract presentation at ASCO. Dr. D’Amato shares updates on the successful creation of an SFT cell line and organoids, ongoing collaborations, and an imminent clinical trial using FAP-targeted radioligand (alpha particle) therapy. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of patient participation in accelerating progress toward better treatments and ultimately a cure for this rare sarcoma.
Episode Highlights:
Dr. Peter Crane introduces Dr. Gina D’Amato and shares the personal importance of this topic as an SFT patient

Overview of solitary fibrous tumor as a rare sarcoma (~2% of sarcomas) with variable behavior and limited treatment options

The Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Registry & Biobank: now open globally, approaching 100 patients enrolled

Patient questionnaire collecting environmental, occupational, and family history data; plans for blood and tumor specimen collection

NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene variants and their correlation with tumor location and behavior

Retrospective analysis of 50–100 patients, additional mutations (TP53, TERT, CDK), and efforts to improve the D’Amico prognostic tool

Major milestone: Rapid oral abstract presentation at ASCO by medical student Keerthana on NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants and metastatic risk

Successful development of an SFT cell line (“Little Joels”) from Mr. Joel Horowitz and progress with organoid models

Tribute to the late Dr. Heather Hiinga and her significant contributions to SFT research

Exciting new clinical trial: PSV359 (Perspective Therapeutics), FAP-targeted radioligand alpha particle therapy opening soon at University of Miami and other sites

How the trial works: PET scan selection followed by therapeutic injections; potential for future targeted drug delivery
Top 3 Takeaways:
Patient participation in the global SFT Registry and Biobank is extremely valuable. Every enrollment helps build the critical data needed to understand this rare disease and develop better treatments.

Molecular profiling (NAB2-STAT6 variants and co-mutations) is improving our ability to predict behavior and personalize care for SFT patients.

Promising new therapies are advancing, particularly FAP-targeted radioligand therapy, which could offer more precise treatment with potentially fewer side effects.
About Dr. Gina D’Amato
Dr. Gina D’Amato is a sarcoma medical oncologist, Professor of Medicine, and Sarcoma Lead at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She serves as administrator of the Horowitz Solitary Fibrous Tumor Initiative and has over 20 years of experience treating sarcoma patients.
Websites:
solitaryfibroustumor.org

SFT Patient Registry: https://solitaryfibroustumor.org

Clinical Trial: Search PSV359 on clinicaltrials.gov (opening soon)

Previous episodes with Dr. D’Amato and Joel Horowitz : Joel Horowitz & Dr. Gina D’Amato on Hope, Research, and the Fight Against Solitary (November 2025)
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.
About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.

The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
41min
May 07, 2026Escaping Burnout and Reclaiming Medicine with Dr. Brittney Anderson | DMD #82
In this inspiring episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane interviews Dr. Brittany Anderson, a board-certified family medicine physician, podcaster, author, and advocate. Dr. Anderson opens up about her path through residency, challenging employed positions, severe burnout, and the pivotal decision to resign and open her own private practice. She offers candid, actionable advice on financial planning, marketing, team building, mindset shifts, and why private practice restored her love for medicine while delivering excellent patient care. This conversation is a must-listen for any physician considering independence or frustrated with the current healthcare system.
Episode Highlights:
Dr. Anderson’s rural Alabama roots, shadowing private practice family docs, and choosing family medicine

Early career struggles in an FQHC with extreme understaffing and later academic medicine bureaucracy

The burnout breaking point: pep talks before clinic and booking a flight to Honolulu to write her resignation letter and business plan

Transitioning from employed models to launching a lean, insurance-based private practice

Making the math work: revenue, expenses, patient volume, schedule design, and starting lean

The freedom of autonomy, making real-time changes, flexible patient care, and reduced burnout despite running a business

Marketing through social media (including a viral TikTok presence) and community engagement driving patient growth

Hitting seven figures in revenue while expanding with a PA and another physician

Launching Physicians Hanging a Shingle podcast, coaching, and her book Private Practice On Purpose
Top 3 Takeaways:
Private practice is not for everyone, but for physicians who crave autonomy and see better ways to care for patients, the mindset shift from “employee” to “owner” is liberating and can dramatically reduce burnout.

Make the math work upfront: live lean during transition, carefully model revenue/expenses/patient volume, start lean (lease, minimal equipment), and manipulate the variables you control.

You don’t have to figure it out alone, talk to other private practice physicians, build a support team, use social media for marketing/education, and remember that mistakes are fixable when you control the decisions.
About Dr. Brittney Anderson

Dr. Brittney Anderson is a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in rural Alabama. After experiencing burnout in employed settings, she founded her own independent practice four years ago. She is the host of the Physicians Hanging a Shingle podcast, author of Private Practice On Purpose, and an active advocate for physician autonomy at state and national levels. Through coaching and content, she helps other doctors successfully launch and run their own practices.

Website: hangingashingle.com
Book: Private Practice On Purpose (available on Amazon)
Podcast: Physicians Hanging a Shingle
About the Host:
Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.
Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.

About the Show:
Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.
In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.
Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com
LMC Series Note:
Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.
The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
39min

FAQs about Doctors Making A Difference:

How many episodes does Doctors Making A Difference have?

The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.