The Our Stories Podcast

The HMO Wellness Our Stories Podcast is pleased to present a conversation with Dr, Vinita Singh, associate professor of anesthesiology, who takes care of patients at the Winship Cancer Institute who are dealing with cancer related pain. Dr, Singh shares her experiences as a young girl watching her father, a professor of physics, teach and mentor graduate students, even having them to his home for home cooked meals. Working hard, participating in various activities, and giving it her best shot were values her father helped her develop even before going to medical school (which was the family expectation, even though she is the only doctor in her family). In her current work Dr, Singh finds helping patients treat their pain is what recharges her energy for work. At home there are several wellness practices that also help her recharge, shared meals with family, regular exercise and hearing about other people's days. The podcast wraps up with Dr. Singh's hope for all Winship patients, something that we can all appreciate. Please listen to hear about that hope and the details of Dr. Singh's story!

In this episode, first year HMO Fellow Dr. Melissa Oye shares about her motivation to enter into medicine. Following in the footsteps of her father, a vascular surgeon, Dr. Oye recounts memories of hanging out in the doctors' lounge with her siblings hearing her father paged to surgery on the overhead. She expresses pride in his commitment to his patients in their small town in West Virginia, where it was common for her to overhear people's gratitude for his care. Dr. Oye has a passion for hematology and medical oncology, stemming from exposure to her grandmother's experience with cancer. She recognizes the importance of connecting with patients, helping them to feel seen, heard and valued. Her passion for addressing disparities in healthcare is not just connected to research interests, but also to practical applications to make quality care accessible to persons within her community. As an African-American woman she recognizes the importance of patients having physicians who look like them. She credits her incredible support system, namely her family (with many people in medicine!) who are her great supporters. Please take a listen to Dr. Oye's wonderful interview!

HMO Wellness is excited to share an Our Stories Podcast starring Dr. Adam Marcus, PhD biologist, cancer researcher and professor. In this podcast Dr. Marcus shares his journey into cancer research starting with a 9th grade science class (oh the days when we thought we learned all there was to know), through college when he began to appreciate the potential of science to help advance humanity, in particular by understanding the difference between what we do and don’t know. Watching cells move and bringing cellular processes from the microscopic to the macroscopic space (the art of cellular processes is not to be missed!) are activities that are continuously fascinating and inspiring for Dr. Marcus.

Time with family and playing tennis also contribute to Dr. Marcus’ well-being. The hope that science brings to treating cancer keeps Dr. Marcus motivated and excited about what Winship will be able to offer patients and families in 2024.

Rebecca Doolittle, Associate Director of Facilities for Winship Cancer Institute joins us to share her story. With a background in music therapy and singing, Rebecca found her way unexpectedly into the work of facilities management over the past several decades. She credits her parents with instilling her with values of hard work that she carries forward in her vocation. She expresses deep appreciation for Winship and the compassionate and expert care offered to her brother when she first came here 15 years ago. She also praises her amazing facilities team who keep the buildings running behind the scenes, which ultimately improve the lives of our patients and staff. After 50 years of work, Rebecca is very much looking forward to enjoying retirement with her husband, and plans to support the Georgia Bulldogs at more away games and spend time at the beach. Rebecca has been a priceless member of the Winship team and she will be missed. We wish her peace, joy, and wellness in this next stage of her life journey.

Our Stories Podcast is thrilled to present a conversation with Jacqueline Brown, MD who shares her journey from a young girl with a toy stethoscope to an attending oncologist in an academic medical center. Early role models of health care professionals include her grandfather (pathology and acupuncture) and her mother (nurse), and after recognizing her interest in science as well as joy she found in listening to peoples' stories she decided on a career in medicine. There were challenges along the way (chemistry), but with persistence she was able to meet those challenges and find her way into the space that suits her well now ("on a path that works for me"). Connecting with team members regularly, as well as time with family (including Halloween fun) and regular exercise, allows for Dr. Brown to sustain her positive energy.

For this episode of the Our Stories podcast we have a conversation with Jung-hoon Lee, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist based at Johns Creek Hospital and the Clinic at Buford. Dr Lee shares his experience growing up in Johns Creek, even riding the school bus past the hospital where he now treats patients dealing with cancer. While he chose to enter the field of oncology during medical school and residency, his original motivation for a career in medicine was the experience of watching his grandmother deal with a stroke. Helping people access care in a timely fashion is of utmost concern to Dr Lee, along with good communication with patients so they care they need.

The difficulties patients contend with during cancer treatment can be humbling, especially when there is a lack of treatment options. In order to manage stress related to difficult situations, Dr Lee is mindful of practicing hobbies including meditation, Japanese martial arts and building model ships. Having trained in FL and NY, Dr Lee has witnessed wellness practices at other institutions and applauds efforts underway at Emory to address wellbeing.

In this episode, Chris Zorn, Administrator of Clinic Operations for Building C shares his history growing up in Lexington, KY, learning deep values of compassion and love from his parents and grandparents. His parents were “always in service”: his father was a life-long police officer, and mother volunteered in front desk and guest services at a hospital. One of his deepest connections was with his grandfather, Wilson Wyatt, who served as the mayor of Louisville (see photo below) and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in 1959. Chris shared his memory of how despite his busy work in the community, his grandfather spent time which Chris on the tractor on the family farm, and in practicing reading. In this episode, Chris shares about his passion for caring for the patients of Winship. Through his leadership, he encourages his team to “see through patients’ eyes,” seeking to make their experience as easy as possible. Chris speaks with pride about his family, and the joy he experiences spending his time with his children, especially baking sweet treats on the weekends. This time to replenish is essential for his wellbeing.

After the interview, Chris shared more history about his grandfather, including Wyatt’s work to desegregate the University of Louisville in 1949. His grandfather was a good friend of President Carter and on the day Chris was born (see photo below from the day of Chris’ birth), the President asked Wyatt to serve as Ambassador for Morocco, but he declined saying, “I have a brand new grandson.” Chris shared this link to a wonderful interview his grandfather gave later in life: Great Leaders: Wilson Wyatt Story. Chris proudly shares his grandfather’s legacy, seeking to honor him his work at Winship, and also in his community where he was recently elected to the Board of Trustees in Sandy Springs. Both in his community and in his workplace at Winship, Chris seeks to continually improve his environment through leading with of compassion and service. Enjoy this rich Episode!

In this episode we welcome Dr. Ryan Haumschild, Director of Pharmacy Services at Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute. Dr. Haumschild shares his path to becoming a pharmacist by following in the footsteps of his father who worked in the same field. Experiences in his first job in the back of a long-term care facility scrubbing medication carts offered him the opportunity to listen to staff talk about the ways that pharmacists can help improve the quality of life for patients. Seeing the insides of the operation offered insight into the complexity and impact of the profession. His studies, including an MBA, PharmD, and Masters in Health Services- Pharmacy Leadership and Economics took him around the country and helped him to understand the business side of his field. Dr. Haumschild joined Emory 8 years ago and experiences joy in staying connected to the clinical side of pharmacy practice, seeing the ways pharmacists can directly improve the lives of patients living with cancer. Dr. Haumschild speaks with pride and joy about his family, particularly his partnership with his spouse as they raise two young daughters together. Family time, including helping with his kids' sports practice is essential for his well-being. He encourages his team to lean into "work/life integration" in order to feel healthy in both domains. Dr. Haumschild has a great passion for his profession and leading his team to aid in the care of patients at Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute. Please take a listen!

Ali John Zarrabi, MD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, who is trained in palliative care. He is a key member of the Winship supportive care team and has been awarded grant funding for research into the use of psilocybin assisted therapy. In this podcast Dr Zarrabi describes his early life experiences doing rounds with his father who was a physician with the VA. After witnessing the issues in his father's own medical care, Dr Zarrabi dedicated his career to finding ways to help people find peace even as they grapple with spiritual or existential distress during their medical journey. Dr Zarrabi shares how he protects his own sense of wellbeing with a career in academic medicine by cooking, spending time in nature and practicing meditation. This podcast also includes details about Dr Zarrabi's experience with psychedelic research, the role of talk therapy in psilocybin assisted therapy and the cautions with regards to patient participation in this research.

Our Stories is delighted to present a conversation with Dr. Kristin Higgins, MD, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in Clinical Research in Radiation Oncology. In this podcast Dr. Higgins shares her childhood influences that led her to choose a career in health care and cancer; a mom who worked as a pediatric OR nurse and an uncle who died from complications of immune deficiency during the early time of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Self care has been a part of Dr. Higgins life for years, with a habit of daily exercise since college and a commitment to eating well and getting nine hours of sleep nightly. Working alongside some of the "best doctors in the country" and getting to know some of their stories has been a big part of what Dr. Higgins appreciates about WCI, the "best cancer care in the state." Dr. Higgins finishes the podcast with her hopes for what the new Midtown location will be able to provide for patients and families later this year and beyond.