Today, we are joined by Dr. Anamaria Whitmer Jacobsson, MD, a senior OB/GYN surgeon at Varberg and Kungsbacka Hospitals in Sweden, and Dr. Fredrik Bååthe, PhD, a senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Stress Medicine in Gothenburg and guest researcher at the Legeforskningsinstituttet in Oslo.

In the conversation, Drs. Whitmer Jacobsson and Bååthe share their deeply personal “why,” exploring how formative experiences shaped their values of service, connection, and human potential.

We also cover:

• Why traditional debriefing can backfire when teams are outside their window of tolerance and what to do instead
• How trauma-informed, appreciative questions help clinicians and patients heal, learn, and reconnect after crises
• What sustainable healthcare looks like in practice, with lessons from a Swedish clinic achieving low burnout and high fulfillment for over 20 years

Links:

Dr. Whitmer Jacobsson’s LinkedIn: se.linkedin.com/in/anamaria-whitmer-jacobsson-b69b966b

Dr. Bååthe’s LinkedIn: /www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-b%C3%A5%C3%A5th-10682a89/

Claritatis AB: https://claritatisab.com/new-page-1

A.L.S.O. Scandinavia: https://www.also-scandinavia.com/kurs-i-sverige/

SLF: https://slf.se/in-english/

SFOG: https://www.sfog.se/kunskap/psykosocial-ob-gyn-samt-sexologi-pos-arg/

ISM: https://tinyurl.com/5n7ce2d5

LEFO: https://tinyurl.com/3mv2nbzy

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:00) The Why: Service and Human Connection

(10:00) From Industry to Healthcare: Unlocking Human Potential

(20:00) Mindful Practice and the Birth of the Swedish Model

(30:00) Complexity Science and Organizational Healing

(37:00) Trauma-Informed, Appreciative Inquiry in Practice

(43:00) Sustainable Healthcare in Sweden

(47:00) Expanding to Michigan and Beyond

(51:00) Vision for the Future of Care

(55:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg, MD, MPH, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Professional and Academic Development at the Cambridge Health Alliance.

In the conversation, Dr. Gaufberg shares how a formative anatomy lab moment sparked her lifelong commitment to reflective practice and using the arts and humanities to cultivate essential clinical skills.

We also cover:

• How the Cambridge Integrated Clerkship model preserves patient-centeredness through longitudinal relationships and relational learning
• Using "third things" like visual art and poetry to teach observation, bias awareness, teamwork, and tolerance for ambiguity
• Practical approaches for bringing arts-based reflection into clinical settings to support psychological safety and professional flourishing

Links:

Dr. Elizabeth Gaufberg Faculty Profile: https://postgraduateeducation.hms.harvard.edu/faculty-staff/elizabeth-gaufberg

Cambridge Health Alliance: https://www.chacmc.org/new-page

Cambridge Health Alliance PAD: https://chacpad.org/staff

Dr. Gaufberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-gaufberg-503a0b7a/

AAMC FRAHME: https://www.aamc.org/about-us/mission-areas/medical-education/frahme

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Relevant Publications:

Hirsh D, Gaufberg E, Ogur B, Cohen P, Krupat E, Cox M, Pelletier S, Bor D. Educational outcomes of the Harvard Medical School-Cambridge integrated clerkship: a way forward for medical education. Acad Med. 2012 May;87(5):643-50. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e31824d9821. PMID: 22450189.

Gaufberg E, Hirsh D, Krupat E, Ogur B, Pelletier S, Reiff D, Bor D. Into the future: patient-centredness endures in longitudinal integrated clerkship graduates. Med Educ. 2014 Jun;48(6):572-82. doi: 10.1111/medu.12413. Epub 2014 Apr 9. PMID: 24713035.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Origin Story and Path to Medicine

(08:00) Why Psychiatry After Internal Medicine

(10:00) Formative Anatomy Lab Moment

(14:00) The Arts and Humanities in Medical Education

(24:00) Bringing Arts-Based Reflection to Clinical Teams

(29:00) Cambridge Integrated Clerkship Model

(38:00) Challenges and Boundary Issues in Relational Learning

(43:00) Hypothetical Impact on Medical Culture

(49:00) Personal Well-Being Practices

(52:00) Conclusion and Reflection Exercises

Today, we are joined by Dr. Catherine Pound, MSc, MPH, MD, FRCPC, Director of Physician Support and Wellness at the Canadian Medical Protective Association.

Dr. Pound joined CMPA as a Physician Advisor in Safe Medical Care Learning in 2021 and became the Director of Physician Support and Wellness in 2023. She is also a pediatrician and researcher, and was an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa until 2024. Dr. Pound holds master's degrees in epidemiology as well as in public health, with a focus on health policy. Dr. Pound has obtained multiple research grants, and has been published extensively in the areas of medical education, health promotion, and clinical medicine. She has also implemented and led multiple physician wellness programs, both in clinical and administrative settings.

In the conversation, Dr. Pound shares her personal journey from experiencing burnout early in her career to recognizing the widespread silent suffering among physicians and dedicating her work to systemic change that helps healthcare professionals thrive.

We also cover:

• How her values of connection, compassion, and curiosity led her from pediatrics through public health to physician wellness leadership
• CMPA's innovative programs including peer support, longitudinal coaching, and the national Physician Wellbeing Index assessment
• The critical connection between healthcare professional wellbeing and patient safety as a public health issue

Dr. Pound concludes by envisioning a healthcare system where professionals give themselves permission to acknowledge when they need help, creating environments of trust, collaboration, and compassionate care.

Links:

Dr. Catherine Pound LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-pound-b22a921/ CMPA: https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/home CMPA Practically Speaking podcast: https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/education-events/cmpa-podcasts EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/ EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/ Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141 Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/ Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction(03:00) Why Medicine: Connection and Compassion(08:00) Personal Journey to Physician Wellness Work(11:00) Public Health Approach to Prevention(14:00) Physician Wellbeing as Public Health Crisis(15:00) Joining CMPA and Building Programs(17:00) Developing Evidence-Based Support Systems(22:00) Theater-Based Training and Team Approaches(25:00) Research-Driven Program Development(27:00) Envisioning the Future of Healthcare(32:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Donald E. Moore, MD, MPH, a Yale-trained physician, longtime Brooklyn primary care doctor and hospital attending educator at Weill Cornell, Downstate and Pace.

Dr. Donald E. Moore earned his M.D. and M.P.H. from Yale in 1981. He is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Pace University and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and Downstate Health Sciences University. For more than 30 years, Dr. Moore served as an Attending Physician at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital while also managing a primary care practice in Brooklyn for over 35 years. He is the former President of the Provident Clinical Society of Brooklyn and currently holds leadership positions in the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), including Chair of the Wellness and Resilience Committee and Chair of the AI Taskforce. Additionally, he has served as the past Chair of the Committee on Physician Health. Dr. Moore advocates for a healthcare system focused on patient care, access to quality medicine, and ethical doctor-patient relationships rooted in trust and beneficence.

In the conversation, Dr. Moore traces his calling to medicine from a transformative college biology class through his humanistic education at Yale, sharing how ethics, trust, and beneficence guide his practice.

We also cover:

• Making over 20,000 house calls and what horizontal care taught him about doctor-patient relationships
• His leadership in physician wellness and moving from downstream treatment to upstream prevention of burnout
• Artificial intelligence in medicine and the essential role of curiosity in medical practice

Dr. Moore concludes by reflecting on medicine as a calling rather than just a job, emphasizing that physicians are healers and teachers who must maintain curiosity and dedication throughout their careers.

Links:

Dr. Donald Moore Website: https://donaldmooremd.com

Dr. Donald Moore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-e-moore-m-d-m-p-h-a3868868/

Pace University Advisory Board: https://www.pace.edu/dyson/about-dyson/advisory-board/donald-moore-76

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Dr. Moore’s Calling to Medicine

(08:00) Yale's Humanistic Medical Education

(12:00) Ethics, Trust, and Beneficence in Practice

(21:00) The Art of Making House Calls

(28:00) Horizontal Care and Patient Relationships

(30:00) Leadership in Physician Wellness

(36:00) Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

(42:00) The Central Role of Curiosity

(47:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Colleen Camenisch, MBA, Executive Director of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition.

Colleen Camenisch, MBA, is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working with leaders in the mindfulness industry and in the higher education industry and Medicine. She has a wide range of skills that include Management, Strategic Planning, Marketing Strategy, Mindfulness Based Interventions, and Public Speaking. Her strong business development experience with a post graduate training in International Business and Trade Law from United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) in conjunction with the University Institute of European Studies adds depth and a worldview rarely found in leaders of a community organization like the NPWC. She is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher and Teacher Trainer who regular teaches programs for the University of Massachusetts and Brown University.

In the conversation, Colleen shares the deeply personal story of how losing her father to a likely medical error led her on a healing journey through mindfulness and eventually into transformative work supporting healthcare professionals.

We also cover:

• The grassroots evolution of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition from responding to physician suicides to a dynamic statewide organization
• How mindfulness practice informs her leadership in navigating uncertainty and holding space for difficult conversations
• The coalition's innovative programs including peer support networks, hospital leadership collaboratives, and medical student mentorship

Colleen concludes by envisioning a future where healthcare professionals feel safe, valued, and have time for meaningful patient care, while sharing her hope to replicate the coalition model nationally.

Links:

Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition: https://www.nevadaphysicianwellnesscoalition.com/

Colleen Camenisch’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-camenisch-mba/

TEDx Reno Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQo-CQzoW24

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Personal Origin Story and Loss

(08:00) Finding Calling in Healthcare Support

(11:00) Evolution of the Nevada Physician Wellness Coalition

(15:00) Coalition Programs and Services

(18:00) Collaborative Working Groups

(24:00) Assessment and Net Promoter Score

(25:00) Mindfulness and Leadership

(30:00) Balancing Training with Broad Impact

(33:00) Envisioning the Future of Healthcare

(40:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Todd Hill and Dr. Ward Flemons.

Dr. Todd Hill is a clinical psychologist, professor and Director of Behavioral Medicine in the Dept of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). He is also the Director of the CSM's Centre for Mindfulness (C4M).

Dr. Ward Flemons is a Professor Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine and Department of Medicine Vice-Chair, Health Analytics and Safety. He is the former Head of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Calgary and former Medical Director of the Foothills Medical Centre's Sleep Clinic. He was a Medical Director for the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) for over 10 years.

In the conversation, Dr. Hill and Dr. Flemons share how their personal journeys and formative experiences led them to discover mindfulness as a vital tool for fostering compassionate care and culture change within medical education.

We also cover:

• How childhood experiences and early mentors shaped their commitment to helping others flourish
• The evolution from individual mindfulness practice to institutional culture change through breaking down silos
• Their vision for cultivating a culture of compassionate caring where meaning in medical work is recognized

Dr. Hill and Dr. Flemons conclude by envisioning a future where leaders embody mindful practice naturally, creating institutions where people care not because they have to, but because they want to.

Website Links & Phone Numbers:

Dr. Todd Hill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hill-56b61573/

Dr. Ward Flemon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-ward-flemons-740244121/

Centre for Mindfulness, Cumming School of Medicine: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/centres/centre-mindfulness/home

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Relevant Publications:

Flemons WW, Feasby TE, Wright B. Building a safety and quality culture in healthcare: where it starts. Healthc Pap. 2011;11(3):41-7; discussion 79-83. doi: 10.12927/hcpap.2011.22552. PMID: 21952026.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Origin Stories in Healthcare

(10:00) Todd's Path to Medical Education

(13:00) Ward's Journey to Patient Safety

(17:00) Discovering Mindfulness for Healthcare

(22:00) Conceiving Culture Change

(26:00) Building Leadership Support

(35:00) Collaboration and Mindfulness

(42:00) Envisioning Future Success

(49:00) Conclusion and Reflection Exercise

Today, we are joined by Dr. Susy Stirling, a Public Health Physician and Associate Dean based in Yorkshire & Humber, and Dr. Sandy Miles, a GP and Medical Educator in Devon, both from the United Kingdom.

Dr. Susy Stirling MBChB, MSc, MPH, DCH, FFPH trained in medicine and after early career jobs in hospital medicine in the NHS, worked as a General Medical Officer in rural South Africa for 2 years. She returned to the UK to train in Public Health and was previously Lead for Migrant, Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health across the Yorkshire & Humber region.

Dr. Sandy Miles is a GP and Medical Educator in Devon. Alongside her clinical role as a GP, she works in Postgraduate GP training, was Clinical Director of Eastleigh Primary Care Network and, together with Dr. Sam Powell, established popular retreats for doctors.

In the conversation, Dr. Miles and Dr. Stirling share their journeys from early medical careers through personal challenges and discoveries that led them to focus on supporting healthcare professionals through storytelling, coaching, and addressing shame in medical practice.

We also cover:

• How personal experiences with inequality, family history, and burnout shaped their paths toward supporting healthcare professionals
• The transformative power of medical humanities education and its impact on professional identity
• Their collaboration on the National Health Stories experience, creating platforms for healthcare workers to share narratives of hope and humanity

Dr. Sandy Miles’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-miles-4552a294/

Dr. Susy Stirling’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susy-stirling-469976146/

Relevant Publications:

Miles S. Addressing shame: what role does shame play in the formation of a modern medical professional identity? BJPsych Bulletin. 2020;44(1):1-5. doi:10.1192/bjb.2019.49

Podcast Interview:

https://youarenotafrog.com/episodes/152/

Website Links & Phone Numbers:

EmPro Website: https://www.myempro.com/

EmPro Peer Support Program: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/

Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141

Physician Support Line Website:  https://www.physiciansupportline.com/

Dr. Krasner’s Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/

Mindful Practice in Medicine Website: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Origin Stories: Why Medicine?

(08:00) Susy's Path from Medicine to Medical Education

(11:00) Sandy's Journey Through Burnout and Recovery

(17:00) The Transformative Power of Medical Humanities

(31:00) Understanding Shame in Medical Identity Formation

(38:00) The Genesis of National Health Stories

(43:00) Using Shame as a Compass for Core Values

(51:00) The Importance of Connection in Healthcare

(59:00) Envisioning a Future Healthcare System

(01:07:00) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Will Bynum.

Will Bynum, MD, PhD., is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine in the Duke University School of Medicine. Prior to arriving at Duke in October 2017, he served for seven years on Active Duty in the US Air Force. Will's military service included four years of faculty duties in the NCC Family Medicine Residency Program, a deployment to East Africa as the senior medical director of a special operations command, and multiple overseas trips providing medical support to traveling congressional delegations. Will currently serves as the Duke Family Medicine Residency Program Director and Faculty Advisor to the Duke School of Medicine Student Wellness Committee. Will's primary academic interest centers on the role of self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, and pride) in the medical learning experience. He has conducted some of this research through his PhD work in health professions education at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

In the conversation, Dr. Bynum shares his journey from a service-oriented upbringing to becoming a leader in addressing shame in healthcare, exploring how authentic human connection forms the foundation of his work as both clinician and educator.

We also cover:

● His experiences in military service and the paradoxical psychological safety he found there compared to healthcare environments

● The personal crisis that led him to study shame in medical education and healthcare

● How storytelling and narrative serve as powerful tools for addressing shame

● The concept of "shame competence" and shame-sensitive practices in healthcare

● His vision for a more connected, authentic healthcare system that integrates humanities and creativity

Dr. Bynum concludes by reflecting on finding joy in his life through connecting with his family, building new experiences with his children, and creating work that feels meaningful enough to blur the line between profession and passion.

Dr. Bynum’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-bynum-698a1889/

Website - Shame Space Consortium: https://www.theshamespace.com/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:45) Dr. Bynum’s Background

(04:00) Dr. Bynum's Path to Medicine

(07:15) Service-Oriented Family Influence

(10:30) Military Service Experience

(16:00) Journey into Medical Education

(18:45) Origin Story of Studying Shame in Medicine

(24:15) Storytelling as a Tool for Addressing Shame

(28:30) Comparing Military and Healthcare Environments

(34:30) Shame Competence and Shame-Sensitive Practices

(38:30) Creativity, Arts, and Humanities in Healthcare

(42:00) Imagining a Transformed Healthcare Future

(47:45) Personal Life and Finding Joy

(50:15) Conclusion

Resources/References:

The Shame Conversation Film: https://www.theshamespace.com/film

Dr. Brene Brown Ted Talks on shame and vulnerability: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psN1DORYYV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

Bynum WE 4th, Sukhera J. Perfectionism, Power, and Process: What We Must Address to Dismantle Mental Health Stigma in Medical Education. Acad Med. 2021;96(5):621-623. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004008

Bynum WE 4th, Varpio L, Lagoo J, Teunissen PW. 'I'm unworthy of being in this space': The origins of shame in medical students. Med Educ. 2021;55(2):185-197. doi:10.1111/medu.14354

Bynum WE 4th, W Teunissen P, Varpio L. In the "Shadow of Shame": A Phenomenological Exploration of the Nature of Shame Experiences in Medical Students. Acad Med. 2021;96(11S):S23-S30. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004261

Today, we are joined by Charles Pfeffer.

Charles is an organizational consultant and executive coach with over 30 years of experience helping leaders harness their own and their organization's inherent ability to create change through learning and adaptation. He guides partly through his listening skills, honed through a life-long engagement with self-awareness approaches and group dynamics training, guiding his clients to clarify what they want – for their enterprise, their teams, themselves, and the world. Has assisted executives across many varied industries and organizations, including FedEx, Xerox, DuPont, and Medifast, to align teams, develop leaders, communicate rigorously, and produce results, and has coached teams with assignments ranging from bringing the world's first production digital color printer to market to safely closing the NASA Space Shuttle program. Collaborating with Nvolv Partners, Charles worked with Starbucks and Save the Children to align leadership, strategy, and talent, and has teamed with Brimstone Consulting on strategic change initiatives at the New York Times, ExpressScripts, and the State of Maine. Working with the pioneering DEI firm, The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Charles helped to bring the power of inclusion to accelerate strategy deployment at Merck, United Airlines, and EcoLab.

In the conversation, Charles shares insights from his "accidental" journey into personal growth work and executive coaching, highlighting how he helps leaders navigate complexity and change while maintaining authentic purpose.

We also cover:

• The fundamental question he poses to clients: "What do you want?" and how this simple inquiry can unlock deeper purpose
• How organizations navigate change through disruption and the role of leaders in transforming systems
• The parallels between executive leadership challenges and healthcare professionals' experiences
• The connection between oath, authenticity, and purpose in professional identity
• His vision for healthcare environments that provide calm, competent care through better alignment of capacity and demand

Charles concludes by sharing his personal approach to flourishing, which includes time in nature - walking in the woods, kayaking, and skiing - as restorative practices that help him maintain balance while supporting leaders through complex challenges.

Website: https://www.charlespfeffer.com/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlespfeffer/

-

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:15) Charles Pfeffer’s Background

(04:15) Charles' Journey into Personal Growth and Coaching

(08:00) Early Influences and Moving Beyond Blame

(10:30) The Concept of Polarities: Freedom and Responsibility

(13:00) How Executive Coaching Works

(17:00) Understanding Leadership and Organizational Complexity

(22:45) The Challenge of Integration in Healthcare Systems

(26:45) Complexity, Disruption, and Organizational Change

(33:45) Flourishing Through Authentic Purpose

(37:30) What Allows Charles to Flourish in His Work

(41:00) Imagining a Better Healthcare Future

(45:15) Personal Wellness Practices

(46:15) Conclusion

Today, we are joined by Dr. Carter Lebares.

Dr. Lebares is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of General Surgery and the Director of the Center for Mindfulness in Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. She is a gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon who specializes in treating gastrointestinal disease, using minimally invasive surgery, such as robotics and surgical endoscopy. Her expertise includes treatments for reflux disease, obesity, early esophageal or gastric cancer, esophageal motility disorders, hernias, gallbladder disease and some kinds of biliary disease.

Lebares' research interests include resilience and mindfulness in surgery, mindfulness and nutrition in metabolic syndrome and obesity, the neuroendocrine and cognitive effects of stress on learning and performance. She has developed and studied a customized curriculum specifically designed for surgeons, the Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT), which has been demonstrated to improve burnout and global executive function.

In the conversation, Dr. Lebares shares her journey from biochemistry to academic surgery, driven by a deep commitment to advocacy and empowering others through resilience-building approaches.

We also cover:

• Her early experiences advocating for disadvantaged youth that ultimately led her to medicine
• The evolution of surgical training environments and challenges to physician wellbeing
• Development of the Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) specifically designed for surgeons
• Her vision for systemic changes in healthcare to preserve medicine as a "pillar of civilization"

Dr. Lebares concludes by reflecting on finding joy in the simplicity of everyday life - being outdoors, connecting with people outside medicine, and appreciating ordinary moments that meditation helps bring into focus.

Guest: Carter Lebares, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of General Surgery

Director, Center for Mindfulness in Surgery

Principal Investigator, The Lebares Resilience Lab

University of California, San Francisco

Faculty webpage: https://generalsurgery.ucsf.edu/faculty/acute-care-surgery/carter-lebares,-md.aspx

Lebares Resilience Lab Website: https://carterlebares.org/

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carter-lebares-a3970b8/

Selected Resources/References:

About Ann Masten PhD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Masten

Libby Zion Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libby_Zion_Law

Luton OW, James OP, Mellor K, Eley C, Hopkins L, Robinson DBT, Barlow E, Lebares CC, Lewis WG, Egan RJ; Welsh Surgical Research Initiative (WSRI) Collaborative. Enhanced Stress Resilience Training for UK Surgical Trainees; Effect and Evolution Evaluated. J Surg Educ. 2023 Oct;80(10):1395-1402. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.07.017. Epub 2023 Aug 9. PMID: 37567800.

Luton OW, James OP, Mellor K, Eley C, Hopkins L, Robinson DBT, Lebares CC, Powell AGMT, Lewis WG, Egan RJ. Enhanced stress-resilience training for surgical trainees. BJS Open. 2021 Jul 6;5(4):zrab054. doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrab054. PMID: 34323917; PMCID: PMC8320339.

Lebares CC, Coaston TN, Delucchi KL, Guvva EV, Shen WT, Staffaroni AM, Kramer JH, Epel ES, Hecht FM, Ascher NL, Harris HW, Cole SW. Enhanced Stress Resilience Training in Surgeons: Iterative Adaptation and Biopsychosocial Effects in 2 Small Randomized Trials. Ann Surg. 2021 Mar 1;273(3):424-432. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004145. PMID: 32773637; PMCID: PMC7863698.

Lebares CC, Guvva EV, Ascher NL, O'Sullivan PS, Harris HW, Epel ES. Burnout and Stress Among US Surgery Residents: Psychological Distress and Resilience. J Am Coll Surg. 2018 Jan;226(1):80-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.10.010. Epub 2017 Oct 26. PMID: 29107117.