In this powerful episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica is joined by Dr. Laura Vater, oncologist, writer, and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care. Dr. Vater shares her journey into medicine, the personal story that inspired her to become a physician, and her work to bring humanity back into healthcare.

Together, they explore:

• The impact of medical trauma on patients and providers

• How sleep deprivation and burnout affect empathy and compassion in clinicians

• What patients wish for in vulnerable moments, from being believed about pain to feeling truly seen

• Practical ways to improve the healthcare system for both patients and medical professionals

• Why honoring the humanity of both patients and providers is essential for healing

Whether you’ve experienced the pain of not being heard as a patient or the weight of burnout as a clinician, this episode explores how we can reimagine healthcare with empathy at its center.

Check out the Medical Trauma Support website for more resources and support - medicaltraumasupport.com