Dr. Simon Ling is a pediatric gastroenterologist, academic physician, and Executive Director of High Impact Medicine — an organization that helps doctors do more good in the world.
After a career in pediatrics across the UK and Canada, Simon turned to a broader question: how can doctors use their skills, resources, and careers to maximize their positive impact on global health?
In this episode, we talk about his journey from clinical medicine into effective altruism, the story and mission of High Impact Medicine, and what can mean to “do the most good.”
We also explore the challenges of measuring impact, the tensions between personal fulfillment and global responsibility, and how even small steps can add up to big change.
🎙 Topics in this episode:
– Simon’s journey from pediatrics to effective altruism
– What Effective Altruism means for doctors
– The mission of High Impact Medicine
– Easy entry points for physicians to do more good
– The challenges of impact: from mosquito nets to AI risks
– Personal reflections and advice for young doctors
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🎵 Musik: "Order" by ComaStudio