Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this Episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Stefanie Simmons, an emergency medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation. Together, they dive deep into the critical topic of healthcare workforce burnout and what it really takes to create healthier, more sustainable clinical environments—not just for physicians, but for all healthcare workers.

Dr. Simmons shares her personal journey from residency, through struggles with peripartum depression, to pioneering new roles in clinician well-being and organizational support. They explore the stigma surrounding mental health in medicine, discuss the evolution of coaching and peer support, and look at the broader culture shift that's starting to reshape the medical landscape. Whether you're a healthcare professional searching for tools to thrive or an advocate for change in medicine, this conversation is packed with practical insights and hope for building a more supportive future in clinical practice.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Stefanie Simmons:

Stefanie Simmons, MD is the Chief Medical Officer at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and a board-certified emergency medicine physician.

She was the primary advisor to NIOSH for the Impact WellbeingTM guide for healthcare leaders, leads multi-state programs to improve the operational environment of care and remove barriers to mental health care, and serves as a national thought leader in healthcare worker well-being. Stefanie served as the Vice President of Patient and Clinician Experience for Envision over 7 years, serving 26,000 physicians and advanced practice providers with a focus on professional well-being, including translational research and programs designed to bring well-being best practices to clinical environments. She served as lead clinical faculty for the Clinician Experience Project Wellbeing program.

Stefanie earned her Bachelor of Science and Medical Doctor degrees from University of Michigan and completed residency training at the University of Michigan/St. Joseph Mercy emergency medicine residency. She has completed additional training in medical education, research methods, coaching, and positive organizational psychology.

Please pay special attention to this detailed list of mental health resources, tools and ways to access more information on Dr. Simmons work.

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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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Paul DeChant, a family physician and former CEO with decades of experience transforming healthcare organizations. Dr. DeChant shares his journey from a frontline family doctor to leading a 300-physician medical group through transformative change using the principles of Lean management—with a core focus on respecting people and restoring joy to the practice of medicine. Together, they explore the root causes of physician burnout, how aligning values and empowering local autonomy can revolutionize clinical workplaces, and the practical strategies—like daily huddles and "getting rid of stupid stuff"—that make care more efficient and sustainable for healthcare teams. If you're looking for real-world insights into creating healthier clinical environments and reclaiming work-life balance, this conversation is packed with ideas, inspiration, and actionable advice. Tune in for expert wisdom on building a medical career—and a life—worth sustaining.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Paul DeChant:

Dr. Paul F. DeChant, MD, MBA, FAAFP Principal and Co-Founder, Organizational Wellbeing Solutions, LLC Dr. Paul DeChant is a thought leader on leading organizational transformation and creating healthy workplaces. Paul advises C-level healthcare executives on managing critical problems such as financial and staffing challenges by transforming management systems and cultures to reduce the root causes of clinician burnout, improve KPI performance, and reduce burnout. He supports the AMA’s Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainment team and teaches at the University of Colorado – Denver’s Graduate School of Business. Following 25 years practicing family medicine, Dr. DeChant became CEO of the Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, where he led a transformation based on the theme of “Returning Joy to Patient Care.” After four years the group achieved recognition as the highest performing among 170 medical groups across the State of California two years in a row, while improving physician satisfaction from the 45th to 87th percentile on AMGA’s Provider Satisfaction Survey. He received his MD from the Oregon Health Sciences University and his MBA from the University of Colorado-Denver. Co-author of the book, “Preventing Physician Burnout: Curing the Chaos and Returning Joy to the Practice of Medicine”, Paul speaks internationally, and blogs regularly at www.pauldechantmd.com

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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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith welcomes Dr. Tracey O’Connell, a radiologist whose career journey took a transformative turn when she left a toxic private practice after 16 years. Together, they dive into Dr. O’Connell’s path from aspiring psychiatrist to radiologist and ultimately to her work focusing on vulnerability, shame resilience, and expressive writing—especially among physicians and marginalized groups.

Dr. O’Connell opens up about her early influences, the emotional challenges of medical training, and how technological shifts in radiology contributed to feelings of isolation. She shares her personal experience of grappling with shame and the toll that unsustainable work practices can take on mental health. Dr. O’Connell also discusses how discovering expressive writing and the work of Brene Brown helped her reconnect with herself and build resilience—insights she now brings to her coaching and writing workshops.

If you’re a clinician looking for ways to create a more sustainable career and life, or interested in how vulnerability and self-reflection can transform your wellbeing, this candid conversation offers inspiration, tools, and hope. Let’s dive in!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Tracey O’Connell:

Tracey O’Connell, MD is a radiologist, professional certified coach, consultant, educator, and facilitator of expressive writing and Brene Brown's shame resilience programs. She provides tools for good people having a hard time, tired of feeling lonely, negative, or out of place. After many years of feeling "not enough" as a person, a physician, a parent, or partner, her work fosters positive self-worth, psychological safety, and shame resilience for others. She is currently adjusting to life as an "empty nester" and is curious about what's next for her.

Physician Coach | Traceyoconnellmd.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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith is joined by Dr. Heather Signorelli—pathologist, business leader, and founder of a medical billing company—to dive into the practical side of billing, optimizing clinical workflows, and turning inefficiency into sustainability.

Together, they tackle one of medicine’s most vexing issues: how to make sure you’re getting paid for the important work you do—all while reducing frustration and freeing up more time for life outside medicine. Dr. Signorelli shares her journey from clinical pathology to the business end of healthcare, drawing on years of experience in workflow optimization and billing stewardship across the U.S. and Canada.

Tune in as they break down key points about revenue cycles, documentation, avoiding common billing mistakes, tackling administrative burdens, and leveraging teamwork for better compliance and less personal stress. Whether you’re struggling to keep up with billing, navigating complex healthcare systems, or just looking for actionable tips to make your practice more efficient and financially sustainable, this conversation is packed with real-world insights and resources.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Heather Signorelli:

Dr. Heather Signorelli is a board-certified pathologist and physician executive with over a decade of experience leading healthcare teams. She co-founded NatRevMD, a physician-led medical billing company that's been in business for 3 years, now supporting 26 practices with a team of over 65 billing and coding experts. NatRevMD helps private practices increase revenue by 25–30% through smart, data-driven billing, coding, and operations support.

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*** Learn more about Dr. Signorelli at https://natrevmd.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 episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Michele Knox, an accomplished ophthalmologist, physician leader, and passionate physician development coach. Dr. Knox shares insights from her nearly 30-year career, reflecting on what made her journey in medicine sustainable and fulfilling. Together, they explore the importance of building strong medical teams, cultivating community within healthcare, and finding purpose both inside and outside of clinical practice.

Dr. Knox opens up about the challenges and rewards of working in a large group practice, her transition into coaching and leadership roles, and the lessons she’s learned supporting early-career physicians. You'll hear practical strategies on how to delegate effectively, set personal boundaries, and prioritize wellness—both for yourself and your patients. Plus, Dr. Knox offers thoughtful advice on navigating patient satisfaction, self-compassion, and seeking support when burnout strikes.

If you're a clinician looking for realistic and actionable ways to create a more sustainable, joyful, and balanced practice, you won't want to miss this episode. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about resilience, mentorship, and the power of community in medicine.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Michele Knox:

Michele Knox, MD, Certified Physician Development Coach. Canadian Medical School & Ophthalmology residency, fellowship in US, stayed in SF Bay Area. Career in ophthalmology and physician leadership at very large group practice, recently retired and now giving back as Physician Development Coach, coaching through University Alumni Association & non profits.

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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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Peter Baum, a family medicine physician, medical director, and physician coach with a special focus on negotiation for early career doctors. Dr. Baum opens up about his personal journey through burnout—sharing his struggles with long hours, the pressures of perfectionism, and the impact these challenges had on his well-being and family life. He discusses how coaching helped him reclaim his time, shift his mindset, and develop practical strategies for more sustainable charting and patient care.

Together, Dr. Smith and Dr. Baum also explore the often-overlooked world of physician contract negotiation. Dr. Baum shares his mission to empower doctors—especially new grads—to advocate for both their worth and their time, and provides insight into the evolving landscape of physician employment in the U.S., including pay models, wage gaps, parental leave, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by your clinical workload, wondering how to approach your next contract negotiation, or simply searching for ways to make your medical career more sustainable, this episode is packed with real-life stories, practical advice, and hope for a better balance inside and outside of medicine.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Peter Baum:

Peter Baum, DO is a physician coach, family medicine physician, and clinic medical director at a rural FQHC. He is passionate about physician wellness, leadership, contract negotiation and easing career transitions. He empowers physicians to create work-life balance and a sustainable career path. Always happy to help!

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Learn more about Dr. Peter Baum www.sustainablephysicians.com and www.physiciancontractnegotiation.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 cross-pollinated episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Siobhan Key and Dr. Jessie Mahoney—two fellow physician coaches and long-time collaborators—for a candid conversation about reframing life and work in medicine for greater sustainability. As the panel reflects on the past year and looks forward to 2025, they open up about personal growth, big life transitions, and how each of them is intentionally crafting a more fulfilling and balanced life both inside and outside the clinic.

Listen in as Dr. Smith shares her journey of returning to Australia and embracing new adventures, Dr. Mahoney discusses building a retreat center and leaning into new opportunities, and Dr. Key explores the importance of replenishment, self-reflection, and pursuing passions beyond medicine. Together, they offer practical insights on adapting to change—whether it’s integrating new technologies like AI scribing or simply surviving a new EMR rollout—and they speak honestly about the discomfort, excitement, and learning that comes with growth.

This episode is filled with tips for creating sustainable routines, reflections on personal and professional development, and encouragement to embrace both the challenges and rewards of transformation. Whether you're a seasoned physician or just starting your practice, you'll find reassurance and inspiration in the stories, strategies, and camaraderie shared in today’s discussion.

Let’s dive in!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Letting Go of Frustration and Embracing Change

Dr. Jessie Mahoney, a mindfulness coach and yoga instructor, shared a powerful analogy from her life. She recently moved to the countryside, where a creek outside her home serves as a daily reminder of how life ebbs and flows. Some days, the creek is calm and quiet; other days, it’s noisy and chaotic. She’s learned to embrace these shifts, recognizing that frustration only makes the hard moments harder.

For physicians, this perspective is invaluable. Whether it’s navigating a new workflow or dealing with workplace changes, letting go of frustration and focusing on what you can control can make all the difference.

Asking for What You Need

Dr. Sarah Smith has been adjusting to life and work in a new country, and she shared a simple but effective strategy: step back and ask yourself, What do I need to make this work for me?

Whether you’re facing a new team dynamic or adapting to technological shifts in your practice, pausing to evaluate your needs—and advocating for them—can help you approach change with confidence instead of overwhelm.

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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

**** If you would like more information on the other two doctors on this podcast episode.

**** 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 episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Jessi Gold, psychiatrist, author, and Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee system. Together, they delve into Dr. Gold’s fascinating journey through medicine—from her early days resisting the pull of psychiatry, despite her father’s influence, to finding her true calling in supporting healthcare workers and college students through mental health challenges.

Dr. Gold shares candid stories about her own mental health struggles, the barriers to seeking help in medicine, and how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped her clinical focus to frontline healthcare workers. She opens up about recognizing burnout in herself, the subtlety of its symptoms, and the lessons she learned about self-care, connection, and setting boundaries. Along the way, Dr. Gold offers practical strategies for identifying burnout early, building resilience, and creating sustainable ways to care for ourselves and each other in healthcare.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay well while caring for others—or found yourself feeling isolated in your own struggles—this episode is for you. Join us as Dr. Gold brings wisdom, vulnerability, and humor to the vital conversation about humanity in medicine, and learn simple, actionable steps you can take to support your own mental health.

Let’s dive in!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Jessi Gold:

Jessi Gold, MD, MS is the Chief Wellness Officer of the University of Tennessee System and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This inaugural leadership position encompasses all five University of Tennessee campuses, UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, UT Southern, UT Martin, and UT Health Science Center, and includes over 62,200 students and 19,0000 faculty and staff.

In her clinical practice, she sees healthcare workers, trainees, and young adults in college. Dr. Gold is also a fierce mental health advocate and highly sought-after expert in the media on everything from burnout to celebrity self-disclosure.

She has written widely for the popular press, including for The New York Times, The Atlantic, InStyle, Slate, and Self. Her first book, HOW DO YOU FEEL? One Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine came out in October 2024 from Simon Element and is a national bestseller.

Dr. Gold is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. and M.S in Anthropology, the Yale School of Medicine, and Stanford University Department of Psychiatry, where she served as Chief Resident.

You can find her book at https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-Do-You-Feel/Jessi-Gold/9781982199777 

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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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith is joined by Dr. Vanessa Kustec, a family physician from Ontario with a passion for personal development and sustainable practice. Dr. Kustec shares her candid journey through the highs and lows of medicine—from taking on an overwhelming workload and reaching a breaking point during the pandemic, to discovering mindset coaching and reclaiming her time, energy, and joy both inside and outside the clinic.

Tune in as Dr. Kustec opens up about the realities of burnout, the importance of setting boundaries, and the transformative power of reprogramming your mindset. She discusses concrete steps for saying no, prioritizing what truly matters, and reshaping both your professional and personal life—proving you don’t have to abandon your career to find fulfillment. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply ready to put more life back into your days, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and inspiring stories to help you create a more sustainable, joyful approach to medicine.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Vanessa Kustec:

Originally from Montreal, Dr. Kustec is currently a family physician in Stratford, Ontario where she lives with her husband and baby girl. She also works as a hospitalist and long-term care physician. Over the years, she's also held various administrative positions such as Chief Hospitalist at Stratford General Hospital, HPA Ontario Health Team Implementation Committee Physician Representative and the STAR Family Health Team Lead Physician.

Her areas of interest include primary care, hospital medicine, long-term care, dermatology, and quality improvement, and she also enjoys teaching. Most recently, she pursues all this with a newly created work-life balance. She is now passionate about empowering others to do the same as a physician work-life balance coach. Her vision is for every doctor and healthcare worker to access coaching and acquire these vital skills, as they have the power to revolutionize our entire healthcare system.

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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 the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Linde Corrigan, a family physician practicing in Ontario's Ottawa Valley. Dr. Corrigan shares her journey as a rural generalist, juggling family medicine, care of the elderly, and specialized clinic procedures—all while navigating the unique challenges of ADHD within the medical profession.

Listen in as Dr. Corrigan opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, adapting her workflow to suit her learning style, and the tools and reframing strategies that have helped her create a more sustainable clinical day. She and Dr. Smith discuss practical solutions—from using timers and EMR hacks to embracing positive self-talk and gamifying the most dreaded tasks. Whether you're facing your own clinical challenges or just looking for ways to make your workday more manageable, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and relatable stories.

Tune in for an honest, uplifting, and strategy-filled episode designed to help you reclaim time for your life outside of medicine!

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Meet Dr. Linde Corrigan:

I am a rural family physician with enhanced certification in care of elderly. Currently, I work part-time in my family medicine practice in Petawawa, as well as part-time at the hospital, as well as in local long-term care homes in the area.

I graduated medical school at University of Ottawa in 2010, Family Medicine residency at U of Ottawa in 2014.

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

****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.