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Doctors Making A Difference
Doctors Making A Difference episodes
- Rare Cancer Breakthroughs: How Tissue & Data Donation Saves Lives | Barbara VanHare | LMC#89
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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.
41 min - Hope 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.
32 min - Radiology, 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 NaikDr. 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.
37 min - Conflict 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 SharmaDr. 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.
41 min - Combating 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.comLinkedin: Dr ArthurburnettAbout 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.
33 min - Why 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 ChobanianDr. 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.
34 min - New 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.
41 min - Escaping 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.comBook: 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.
39 min - The Future of Surgery: Robotics, AI, and the Next Generation of Physicians With Dr. Sanjeev Kumar | DMD #81
In this fascinating and forward-looking episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane welcomes Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist and leader in robotic surgery.
Dr. Kumar shares his journey from a farming background in India to training in the UK and the United States, ultimately developing a highly specialized career in gynecologic oncology and robotic surgery. Guided by mentorship and a commitment to mastering a niche skill, he has positioned himself at the forefront of surgical innovation.
The conversation explores how robotic surgery has revolutionized patient care, allowing for greater precision, improved outcomes, and the ability to treat complex cases that were once considered inoperable. Dr. Kumar highlights key advantages, including enhanced visualization, nerve preservation, and dramatically reduced complications, especially in high-risk and obese patients.
The discussion then shifts to the future: the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, its integration into surgical systems, and the potential for telesurgery to expand access to care globally. This episode is a powerful look at where medicine is headed and a reminder that embracing innovation is key to shaping the future of healthcare.
Episode Highlights:
- Dr. Sanjeev Kumar’s journey: from rural India to global surgical training in the UK and US
- The importance of developing a niche skill and going deep in your field
- How robotic surgery works, and clearing up common misconceptions
- Advantages of robotic surgery: precision, magnification, and improved patient outcomes
- Performing complex procedures like nerve-sparing cancer surgeries with better functional results
- Transforming care for obese and high-risk patients with minimally invasive techniques
- The evolution of robotic systems and increasing accessibility worldwide
- The future of telesurgery and expanding care to underserved regions
- How AI is being integrated into surgical data, training, and decision-making
- Why AI will not replace physicians, but will change how they practice
- Advice for medical students: embrace technology, adapt, and learn how to learn
Top 3 Takeaways:
- Technology is a tool, not a replacement: AI and robotics enhance physician capabilities but cannot replace human judgment and care.
- Specialization creates impact: Developing a unique skill set allows physicians to push boundaries and truly advance their field.
- The future belongs to adaptable physicians: Those who embrace innovation and continuous learning will lead the next era of medicine.
About Dr. Sanjeev Kumar:
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar is a double board-certified gynecologic oncologist specializing in advanced robotic surgery. With training across India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, including fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. He has developed expertise in complex cancer surgeries and minimally invasive techniques. Passionate about innovation, Dr. Kumar is actively engaged in advancing robotic surgery and exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in surgical care.
linkedIn: Sanjeev Kumar MD
Website: https://www.drsanjeevkumarsurgeon.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.
39 min - Why Doctors Burn Out, and How to Find Your Way Back With Dr. Michael Hersh | DMD #80
In this insightful and deeply relatable episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane welcomes Dr. Michael Hersh, a gastroenterologist, podcaster, and physician life coach dedicated to helping doctors rediscover fulfillment in medicine.
Dr. Hersh shares his journey from always knowing he wanted to be a physician to experiencing burnout years into practice, exacerbated by malpractice litigation and the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, he found himself searching for a way out of medicine entirely. That turning point led him to physician coaching, where he began reframing his mindset and reconnecting with the parts of medicine he truly loves.
The conversation dives into the realities of mid-career burnout, the pressure physicians face daily, and how small but intentional changes like taking a lunch break or reframing your mindset, can transform your experience. Dr. Hersh also discusses the unique challenges male physicians face, including vulnerability, work-life balance, and transitioning from demanding clinical roles to being present at home.
Together, Dr. Crane and Dr. Hersh explore practical strategies for staying engaged in medicine, managing emotional exhaustion, and building a life that feels sustainable, not just someday, but right now. They also address the importance of mental health awareness in medicine and the need for stronger community and support among physicians.
Episode Highlights:
- Dr. Michael Hersh’s journey: 25 years in medicine, from aspiring pediatrician to practicing gastroenterologist and coach
- Burnout turning point: malpractice litigation, COVID-19, and the search for an exit from medicine
- How mindset shifts helped him rediscover meaning and remain in full-time practice
- The power of reframing daily work: from obligation to opportunity
- Simple but impactful changes: taking lunch breaks, creating space, and regaining control of your day
- The challenge of work-home transition and how to be present with family after demanding shifts
- Why balance doesn’t mean equal, it shifts over time
- Unique struggles male physicians face, including vulnerability and emotional expression
- The danger of “should” thinking and how it fuels guilt and burnout
- Recognizing when stress becomes something more serious and when to seek help
- The importance of physician community, connection, and supporting colleagues
If you or someone you know is in crisis:
- Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org (Free, 24/7, confidential)
- Physician Support Line: 1-888-409-0141
- NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264
Top 3 Takeaways:
- Mindset matters more than circumstances: Reframing your work and focusing on what you can control can transform your experience in medicine.
- Balance is dynamic, not perfect: Some days will be work-heavy, others family-focused. What matters is the overall rhythm over time.
- You don’t have to do this alone: Connection, vulnerability, and seeking support are essential to sustaining a long, meaningful career in medicine.
About Dr. Michael Hersh:
Dr. Michael Hersh is a practicing gastroenterologist with over 25 years of experience. He is the founder of Better Physician Life Coaching, where he helps physicians reconnect with medicine and build more fulfilling personal and professional lives. A passionate advocate for physician wellness, Dr. Hersh also hosts the Better Physician Life podcast and focuses particularly on supporting male physicians navigating burnout, balance, and identity in medicine.
Connect with Dr. Hersh:
Podcast: Better Physician Life
Website: www.betterphysicianlife.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-hersh-mdInstagram: @betterphysicianlifeYouTube: @betterphysicianlifeFacebook: facebook.com/betterphysicianlifecoachingAbout 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.
38 min
About Doctors Making A Difference
From the publisher's feed
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 who dared to ask, “Is this all there is?” and then changed their lives to answer it.
These are the moments after burnout, after bureaucracy, after sacrifice. When purpose called louder than protocol.
Each week, listeners meet doctors who stepped off the expected path—into roles as entrepreneurs, advocates, creatives, and leaders redefining what it means to heal.
They didn’t just survive medicine. They made it theirs.