Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Zhen Chan shares his unique journey from growing up in Miami, Florida to becoming a pediatrician in Washington, DC, and ultimately venturing into the entrepreneurial side of healthcare.

Dr. Chan discusses his educational background, including an MD-MBA dual degree, and how it shaped his interests in blending artistic and scientific aspects within the medical field. He delves into his clinical practice in the 'fast track' side of an emergency room and his desire to improve healthcare systems.

Dr. Chan also talks about his entrepreneurial endeavors, like founding Grapevine, a community focused on healthcare workforce optimization and reducing burnout among medical professionals.

Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of networking and staying updated with technological advancements to better serve patients and the healthcare community. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. The Power of Networking in Healthcare: Dr. Chan emphasizes that building professional relationships and communities—like her Grapevine initiative—is crucial for career growth, combating burnout, and reducing social isolation among healthcare professionals. Networking is not just for business leaders; it’s essential for clinicians at all stages.

2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship are Vital for Modern Physicians: Dr. Chan’s journey shows that blending clinical practice with entrepreneurial thinking and process improvement (such as Six Sigma and MBA training) can help address systemic issues in healthcare. Physicians can—and should—embrace innovation to improve patient care and the healthcare system.

3. Technology and AI Can Reduce Administrative Burden: The discussion highlights how AI-powered tools (like scribing and coding assistants) are transforming healthcare by reducing administrative workload, allowing doctors to focus more on patient care. Accurate documentation and embracing new technologies are key to improving efficiency and outcomes.

Meet Dr. Zhen Chan:

Dr. Zhen Chan is a practicing pediatrician at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC and Founder/CEO of Grapevyne, a community dedicated to empowering physician autonomy and wellbeing through better networking and understanding about healthcare beyond medicine. He graduated from the University of Miami with his BS in Neuroscience and Criminology, MD, and MBA in Health Management & Policy. After completing his education, he went on to complete his pediatrics residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, where his work in quality improvement and advocacy projects revealed a career path to impact healthcare at scale beyond the exam room. In addition to his clinical practice and his own community, he advises other healthcare startups as well focused on improving healthcare access.

Connect with Dr. Zhen Chan:
🌐 Website: https://grapevyne.health

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zhenmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhen_md/

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**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Happy Holidays from the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In honour of the holidays we are replaying our top two episodes of 2025.

This week we’re excited to bring you a replay of Episode 125 of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast. In this special episode, Dr. Sarah Smith brings together her “brains trust”—the talented team of assistant coaches from Charting Champions and Smarter Charting—for an inspiring and honest roundtable discussion. Join Dr. Jacqueline Holm-Jhass, Dr. Milene Argo, and Dr. Noelle Nelson as they open up about their personal journeys from burnout to rediscovering joy in medicine and share their passion for helping clinicians create better clinical days.

You’ll hear first hand stories about the real costs of working after hours, practical strategies for managing the chaos of unpredictable clinic days, and priceless reminders that you are not alone in the struggle. The coaches offer compassionate advice on emotional regulation, self-compassion, and the vital importance of finding celebration and purpose—even on the hardest days.

Whether you’re deep in the trenches of clinical work or just starting to think about how to make medicine more sustainable, this episode is packed with relatable insights, encouragement, and actionable wisdom to help you reclaim time for your life outside of medicine. Get ready to meet the coaches who are changing the way clinicians approach their clinical days and rekindling love for the profession—one conversation at a time.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

The Charting Champions Coaches

Dr. Sarah Smith and her vibrant Charting Coach team: Dr. Jacqueline Holm-Jhass, Dr. Milene Argo, and Dr. Noelle Nelson. Get ready for an honest, supportive, and practical conversation about what it truly takes to create a sustainable, joyful clinical day as a physician or clinician.

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****Get in on the Backlog Buddies Sale where All Session in June are only $10 https://www.backlogbuddies.com/

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this special episode, Dr. Sarah Smith joins forces with Dr. Priyanka Venugopal from the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast for a deeply insightful conversation all about reclaiming time and creating more sustainable clinical practices.

Together, they dive into the real-life struggles physicians face when it comes to finishing work at work—and not letting charting and paperwork spill into precious family time. Dr. Smith shares her own journey of burnout, the “aha” moments that changed her approach forever, and the practical strategies that helped her—and now hundreds of other clinicians—conquer endless documentation and interruptions.

This episode is packed with actionable gems, from simple mindset shifts to rethinking workflow, delegation, and team dynamics. Whether you're a physician, a professional working mom, or anyone craving more balance between career and home, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible. Tune in for tangible tips, relatable stories, and a whole lot of encouragement to create those “bucket loads of time” you’ve been searching for.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Episode 102: Burn Stress. Lose Weight. Podcast (Formerly the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast)

https://www.burnstressloseweight.com/blog/getting-work-done-at-work-with-dr-sarah-smith

In this episode of the Unstoppable Mom Brain Podcast, I have Dr. Sarah Smith sharing her journey from being a rural family physician to becoming an expert in optimizing work-life balance for physicians, particularly focusing on completing tasks efficiently during clinical hours. Dr. Smith's transformation from struggling with work-life balance to finding simplicity and joy in her professional and personal life is inspiring. Through her coaching, she helps physicians reclaim their time, reduce stress, and prioritize their well-being while excelling in their careers. Tune in to this episode to unlock valuable insights and actionable strategies that will empower you to achieve greater balance, joy, and success in your professional and personal life.

Sarah Smith is the Charting Coach for Physicians and clinicians and a practicing Rural Family Physician in Alberta. Sarah is the founder of the Charting Champions Program helping more than 150 Physicians in the specific area of getting home with their charting done. 

She has a passion for reducing burnout and overwhelm resulting from the administrative burden of clinical medicine. Using evidence-based coaching to help Physicians find their most simple solutions within the clinical environments that they work in.  

Sarah is married to her husband of 21 years and has two sons and lives on her small farm. Evenings and weekends are for enjoying pursuits such as farming, exploring, reading and coaching.

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**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Maire Daugharty, an accomplished anesthesiologist who made the bold transition into clinical mental health counseling. In this episode, Dr. Daugharty opens up about her personal experience with burnout, the journey that led her to psychotherapy, and the lessons she learned about mental health—both as a physician and as a therapist. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, someone navigating career changes, or simply interested in well-being, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Maire Daugharty:

I am an anesthesiologist, over the course of my career specialized in regional and cardiac anesthesia. I went back to graduate school and completed a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. I opened a practice working with a range of issues for adult individuals and couples including depression, anxiety, ramifications of childhood trauma, burnout, navigating conflict. I continue to work part time as an anesthesiologist on our general and obstetrical services, and work full time as a psychotherapist integrating mental health medication management when indicated.

Connect with Dr. Maire Daugharty:
🌐 Website: www.mdaugharty.com

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Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

Today, we’re joined by Mary Remón, a licensed counselor and experienced coach who has spent over two decades supporting healthcare professionals. Mary brings a wealth of insight from her work managing Employee Assistance Programs and coaching physicians through the unique challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and career sustainability.

In this conversation, Mary and Dr. Sarah Smith dive deep into the realities of working in healthcare, the stigma around seeking help, and practical strategies for building resilience and well-being. Whether you’re a clinician, a leader, or simply interested in the human side of medicine, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable advice.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Mary Remón:

Mary Remón is a licensed counselor, certified coach, and Certified Employee Assistance Professional with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. In her professional role, she has coached physicians and leaders at hundreds of healthcare institutions across North America, including many leading academic medical centers. Mary previously managed employee assistance programs on-site at two academic medical centers, supporting physicians, leaders and frontline staff. She continues to support physicians and leaders through her private practice.

Connect with Mary Remón:

🌐 Website: https://www.maryremon.com/

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Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this podcast episode #150 we shine a light on the real experiences of early-career medical professionals and listening to the voices of junior doctors. I’m your host, Dr. Sarah Smith, and today we’re joined by Victoria Lister—researcher, workplace coach, and passionate advocate for change in healthcare.

Diving into the hidden struggles junior doctors face: the culture of silence, the impact of discrimination and burnout, and the critical importance of psychological safety at work. Victoria shares her research and personal insights on why so many doctors feel unable to speak up, and what leaders and colleagues can do to create safer, more supportive environments.

Whether you’re a medical professional, a student, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this conversation is packed with eye-opening stories and practical advice. Let’s get started!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Victoria Lister:

Victoria Lister is a researcher in the Business School at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Her PhD research investigates junior doctors’ working conditions silences and how the medical profession acts as a barrier to voice. To support junior doctors, Victoria trained as a workplace coach and is currently researching and delivering a ‘coaching for communication’ program for emergency medicine clinicians. She also works on other research projects in the medical context; has consulted on a healthcare workforce wellbeing initiative and a cultural change program designed to address bullying, harassment and discrimination in medicine; and has published on these themes.

Connect with Victoria Lister:
🌐 Website: https://www.victorialister.com/

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Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith explores the challenges of balancing mental load and domestic labor, particularly for women in medicine. She is joined by Dr. Pip Houghton, a family physician, facilitator, and advocate for women’s wellness.

Dr. Houghton shares her expertise in mental health and her personal journey with the Fair Play Method, offering practical strategies for creating more equitable and joyful lives at home and at work. Together, they discuss how open communication, trust, and small changes can lead to big results for busy professionals and families.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into sharing responsibilities, building supportive partnerships, and lightening the mental load—making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking balance and sustainability in their personal and professional lives.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Pip Houghton:

Dr Phillippa "Pip" Houghton is a family physician on Vancouver Island providing addiction, mental health and primary care to adults and youth in her community. Dr Pip completed a B.Sc. in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria (2011), medical school at The University of Wollongong (2015) and family practice residency through the University of British Columbia in 2019. In addition to her formal education, Dr Pip is particularly supporting families in navigating the many challenges that we all face when it comes to balancing the demands of the three P’s (partner, professional, parent). Dr Pip has pursued additional education in the areas of perinatal Mental Health, digital health and wellness and most recently as a Fair Play Facilitator. In addition to her assigned roles, Dr Pip is also a mother to three boys, wife to an amazing husband, house hippo owner, new-ish CrossFit enthusiast, creative writer, book club enthusiast and cut-flower garden newbie.

Connect with Dr. Pip Houghton:
🌐 Website: www.timeoutmd.ca

🗣️ Speaking & Workshops: Revived Physician Retreat

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**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Becket Mahnke, a pediatric cardiologist and seasoned Chief Medical Information Officer, to explore the evolving landscape of clinical informatics and practical strategies for making your clinical day more sustainable. Together, they dive into the complexities of electronic health record (EHR) systems—especially Epic—and discuss how thoughtful design, team-based approaches, and data-driven solutions can reduce physician burnout, enhance care efficiency, and foster more meaningful patient interactions.

From leveraging AI-powered ambient dictation and chart summarization tools, to reimagining clinic workflows and setting healthy boundaries for clinicians, this conversation is packed with insights to help you reclaim time for yourself while delivering excellent patient care. Whether you’re an EHR power user, an informatics enthusiast, or simply searching for ways to optimize your workday, you'll find actionable tips and a dose of inspiration in today's episode.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. C. Becket Mahnke:

Dr. C. Becket Mahnke is the Chief Medical Information Officer at Confluence Health and a practicing pediatric cardiologist. He is board‑certified in Clinical Informatics, an Epic‑certified Physician Builder, and serves on Epic's Physician Advisory Council. Under his leadership, Confluence Health has delivered measurable improvements in clinician experience—reducing EHR burden and after‑hours work, increasing patient portal adoption, and earning top‑quartile ARCH Collaborative EHR satisfaction, AMA Joy in Medicine™ Gold, and the WSMA Apple Award. His current focus is pragmatic, sustainable design and AI that protects clinician attention and improves care.

You can find Dr. C. Becket Mahnke on:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cbecketmahnke

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Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Cheryl Chase, a clinical psychologist and expert in attention and learning disorders, to explore the unique challenges clinicians face in making their workday more sustainable. Dr. Chase shares her journey from working with children to advising physicians and other adults, highlighting practical strategies for maintaining executive function, managing overwhelming administrative tasks like charting, and coping with burnout and decision fatigue.

The conversation dives deep into how both neurodiverse and neurotypical clinicians can adopt simple, habit-based solutions to tackle the ever-growing workload, find ways to set boundaries, and build systems that truly support wellbeing—inside and outside the clinic. Whether it's accepting that perfection is unattainable, learning to disappoint others when necessary, or using visual tools and external reminders to stay organized, Dr. Chase brings relatable wisdom and actionable advice to help listeners preserve their energy and get home with their work done.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start tackling that painful chart backlog, keep your executive function sharp throughout the day, or simply give yourself more grace at work, you’re in the right place. Get ready for a thoughtful, empowering discussion packed with ideas you can put into practice today.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Cheryl Chase:

Dr. Cheryl Chase is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Independence, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland), specializing in ADHD, learning disorders, and emotional challenges across the lifespan. Through PSYPACT, she is able to serve clients in over 42 states in the US. She’s also an international speaker and consultant, known for making complex topics like executive function and dyslexia both relatable and actionable. Whether she’s working with families, schools, or businesses, Dr. Chase blends science with real-world strategies—and a dose of humor.

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**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this special solo episode, Dr. Sarah Smith—family doctor, clinical day advisor, and charting coach—reflects on a major milestone: the five-year anniversary of the Charting Champions program. She shares her personal journey from burnout and paperwork overwhelm to developing sustainable strategies for physicians and clinicians to reclaim time, boost efficiency, and improve quality of life.

You’ll hear the inspiring story behind Charting Champions, how the program was built step-by-step, its expansion to help a diverse range of specialties, and real success stories from members who have transformed their clinical day. Dr. Sarah Smith also highlights the value of peer support, assistant coaches, and expert guest workshops that make this community thrive.

Whether you’re struggling with backlog, searching for better ways to manage your administrative burden, or simply wanting to enjoy more time outside of medicine, this episode is packed with practical advice, encouragement, and a celebration of what’s possible when strategy meets support. Stick around for updates on upcoming masterclasses, backlog events, and ways you can get more involved with a thriving network dedicated to making clinical medicine more sustainable—one chart at a time.

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone striving for more sustainable and fulfilling clinical work:

Meet The Charting Coach:

Dr. Sarah Smith is a dedicated family doctor, clinical day advisor, and the innovative mind behind the Charting Champions coaching program. As host of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine podcast, Dr. Smith shares inspiring conversations with colleagues and world experts to help physicians find more sustainable ways to navigate their clinical day and carve out time for life outside medicine. In October 2020, she launched Charting Champions, which now celebrates its fifth anniversary, empowering doctors to transform their charting processes and clinical routines. With remarkable passion, Dr. Smith continues to support and guide healthcare professionals, equipping them with strategies to enhance well-being and thrive both in and out of practice.

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Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.