Voices of Women Physicians

What if earning CME credit didn't always mean sitting through another lecture or completing another online course? What if you could get credit for reading books you were already interested in—on productivity, leadership, business, personal development, and more? In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman introduces a creative approach to continuing medical education that makes learning more engaging and relevant to the many skills physicians need beyond clinical medicine. She also shares how she turned an idea into a new CME program and offers practical tips for managing email, protecting time for focused work, and making better use of your most productive hours.

Too many physicians say yes to everything and still feel behind. Stacey Ishman, MD, MPH, founded Academic Medicine Strategy Group (AMedSG) to change that, because medicine needs its physicians to stay, especially the ones who teach the next generation, drive discovery, and take the hardest cases. Her team of coaches helps physicians in and out of academic medicine decide what actually moves their career and drop the rest, so they get their time back and enjoy the work again. AMedSG also partners with departments to improve faculty retention and job satisfaction. She is the author of The Physician's Guide to Owning Your Time: Do Less, Accomplish More.

Dr. Stacey Ishman is a triple board certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine physician, past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, and a former Full Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati. As past Chair of the AAO-HNS Board of Governors, she also served on the AAO-HNS Board of Directors. She serves as Market Chief Medical Officer for AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio and practices at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. She has authored more than 230 research papers. Her honors include the Women in Otolaryngology Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award, the AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award three times, Alpha Omega Alpha faculty selection, and two awards for mentorship.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How did Dr. Ishman and her colleagues come up with the idea for a CME program that gives physicians credit for reading books?
• How does CME by the Book work, and how can physicians earn CME credit for books they may already want to read?
• What kinds of books can qualify for CME credit, and why does continuing education extend beyond clinical knowledge?
• What does it take to turn an idea for a new educational program into something physicians can actually use?
• How did Dr. Ishman and her colleagues use AI to help develop the program and build out its website?
• How can physicians keep email from becoming an endless to-do list driven by other people's priorities?
• How can AI tools help physicians manage their inboxes and keep track of messages that need attention?
• Why is it important to protect time for deep work, and how can even one focused block make a difference?
• How can identifying your most productive time of day help you accomplish important work more efficiently?
• What is one way physicians can make more room for meaningful work without simply adding more hours to their day?

Continuing medical education doesn't have to feel like another obligation on an already crowded schedule. Dr. Stacey Ishman shows us how learning can be more interesting, flexible, and connected to the things we want to explore beyond our clinical specialties. Whether it's finding a new way to earn CME credit, using AI to reduce administrative work, or protecting time for focused projects, small changes can help make professional growth feel less like another task and more like something we genuinely enjoy.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Ishman:

Website:
www.amedsg.com

Book (The Physician’s Guide to Owning Your Time: Do Less. Accomplish More):
https://a.co/d/081GdjPs

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-ishman-md-mph

Instagram:
@sishmancoach

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
708-888-0525

Ep 214: Too Much to Do, Too Little Time? A Guide to Owning Your Time with Dr. Stacey Ishman Part 1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000797914808

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sDKpgu8kWj2qYpxqtD1fm?si=fa760324edaf488c

Ep 215: Too Much to Do, Too Little Time? A Guide to Owning Your Time with Dr. Stacey Ishman Part 2

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000798997425

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1xLZv1z80XoNKLkt0inK7J?si=WWyPEPRkRg-cin9zX5KdaQ 

You can be intentional about how you spend your time and still feel like you have very little control over your day. In medicine, schedules get disrupted, urgent requests pile up, and administrative work can easily spill into the time you've set aside for everything else. So how do you protect the time you need without feeling like you're constantly fighting the demands of your job? In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman shares practical ways physicians can create better systems, establish boundaries that stick, and build schedules and careers that support both their professional goals and the life they want outside of medicine.

Too many physicians say yes to everything and still feel behind. Stacey Ishman, MD, MPH, founded Academic Medicine Strategy Group (AMedSG) to change that, because medicine needs its physicians to stay, especially the ones who teach the next generation, drive discovery, and take the hardest cases. Her team of coaches helps physicians in and out of academic medicine decide what actually moves their career and drop the rest, so they get their time back and enjoy the work again. AMedSG also partners with departments to improve faculty retention and job satisfaction. She is the author of The Physician's Guide to Owning Your Time: Do Less, Accomplish More.

Dr. Stacey Ishman is a triple board certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine physician, past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, and a former Full Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati. As past Chair of the AAO-HNS Board of Governors, she also served on the AAO-HNS Board of Directors. She serves as Market Chief Medical Officer for AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio and practices at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. She has authored more than 230 research papers. Her honors include the Women in Otolaryngology Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award, the AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award three times, Alpha Omega Alpha faculty selection, and two awards for 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why is keeping physicians in medicine so important, and how can better time management contribute to more sustainable and enjoyable careers?
• Why isn't individual willpower enough to protect your time, and what kinds of system-level changes can help?
• How can physicians work with their teams and leadership to establish and maintain boundaries around administrative time and personal commitments?
• How can building time for urgent requests into your schedule help prevent unexpected demands from constantly disrupting your day?
• How can physicians create more efficient workflows for recurring patient questions and routine tasks, including by using AI?
• How can having clear criteria for saying yes make it easier to decline opportunities that don't align with your priorities?
• What is the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and how can physicians support one another by recommending colleagues for opportunities?
• How can early-career physicians intentionally design their schedules, clinical practices, and academic careers instead of simply adopting someone else's way of working?
• How can physicians become more comfortable asking for the schedule changes and support they need to create a sustainable career?
• Why is it important to recognize that priorities change during different seasons of life—and how can your schedule evolve with them?
• What's one practical way to tackle the tasks and responsibilities that feel most overwhelming?

A sustainable career doesn't happen by simply getting better at managing an endless list of demands. It takes a willingness to question how things are done, ask for the support you need, and create a schedule that reflects what matters to you. Dr. Stacey Ishman reminds us that we have more agency than we may realize—not only in how we use our time, but in how we shape the careers and lives we want.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Ishman:

Website:
www.amedsg.com

Book (The Physician’s Guide to Owning Your Time: Do Less. Accomplish More):
https://a.co/d/081GdjPs

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-ishman-md-mph

Instagram:
@sishmancoach

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
708-888-0525

Ep 214: Too Much to Do, Too Little Time? A Guide to Owning Your Time with Dr. Stacey Ishman Part 1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000797914808

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sDKpgu8kWj2qYpxqtD1fm?si=fa760324edaf488c

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly doing things for work, your family, and everyone around you, yet still struggle to find time for what matters most? For women physicians, the problem may not be how much we can fit into a day, but how we decide what deserves our time in the first place. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman shares a fresh perspective on time management and how making more intentional choices can help you focus on your priorities, let go of unnecessary obligations, and feel less overwhelmed by everything on your plate.

Too many physicians say yes to everything and still feel behind. Stacey Ishman, MD, MPH, founded Academic Medicine Strategy Group (AMedSG) to change that, because medicine needs its physicians to stay, especially the ones who teach the next generation, drive discovery, and take the hardest cases. Her team of coaches helps physicians in and out of academic medicine decide what actually moves their career and drop the rest, so they get their time back and enjoy the work again. AMedSG also partners with departments to improve faculty retention and job satisfaction. She is the author of The Physician's Guide to Owning Your Time: Do Less, Accomplish More.

Dr. Stacey Ishman is a triple board certified otolaryngologist and sleep medicine physician, past President of the International Surgical Sleep Society, and a former Full Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati. As past Chair of the AAO-HNS Board of Governors, she also served on the AAO-HNS Board of Directors. She serves as Market Chief Medical Officer for AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio and practices at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. She has authored more than 230 research papers. Her honors include the Women in Otolaryngology Helen F. Krause, MD Trailblazer Award, the AAO-HNS Distinguished Service Award three times, Alpha Omega Alpha faculty selection, and two awards for mentorship.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How can you tell the difference between being busy and being productive?
• Why does effective time management start with understanding your values and goals?
• How can you decide which opportunities deserve a yes—and which ones you can confidently turn down?
• What questions can help you evaluate whether a commitment aligns with your priorities, helps you develop a skill, or connects you with the right people?
• How can you say no without getting caught up in guilt or second-guessing your decision?
• Why does saying yes to one opportunity often mean saying no to something else?
• How can physician leaders recognize when their team members are busy but not necessarily getting the results they want?
• What can leaders do to help physicians work more effectively and reduce the burden of tasks that spill into evenings and time at home?
• How can physicians use tools like AI voice conversations to make productive use of time spent commuting?

You may not be able to create more hours in the day, but you can change how you use the hours you have. Dr. Stacey Ishman reminds us that effective time management isn't about doing everything faster or fitting more into every day. It's about making choices that reflect your priorities, releasing the obligations that don't serve them, and giving yourself permission to focus on what matters most.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Ishman:

Website:
www.amedsg.com

Book:
https://a.co/d/081GdjPs

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-ishman-md-mph

Instagram:
@sishmancoach

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
708-888-0525

Previous episodes of Voices of Women Physicians mentioned in this episode:

Ep 22: How to Finish Charting Faster with Dr. Sarah Smith

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000587906734

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NSheOKviKHVLD5MleJxGU?si=c9ed1d7f0c3a4608

Ep 59: How to Cut Down Charting By 2 Hours Per Day with Dr. Mary Leung

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000624497476

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0yPrpHH71vs6pOe6jdgHhV?si=8566f1a173f2410f

You can be an excellent physician, take on committee after committee, and still find yourself wondering why you aren’t moving forward in leadership. So what actually makes the difference? In Part 2, Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant draws on her experience as a physician leader to explain how women physicians can make smarter career moves, develop their own authentic leadership style, and build the relationships that can turn leadership ambitions into real opportunities.

Shannon Udovic-Constant, MD, is a pediatrician, physician leader, and served as the 5th woman president of the largest State Medical Association in its 160+ year history. A UCSF-trained pediatrician with The Permanente Medical Group in San Francisco, she has chaired board committees on governance and physician wellness, led statewide child health legislation, and represented medicine nationally during critical federal policy debates. She is the founder of Physician Women Rising, through which she coaches women physicians to rise into advanced leadership, expand their influence, and shape the future of healthcare.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How can early-career physicians explore leadership opportunities to discover their strengths and identify the work that motivates them?
• How can women physicians lead authentically without feeling they need to adopt a traditionally masculine leadership style?
• Why is it important to become more selective about leadership commitments as you advance in your career?
• How can you determine which responsibilities to keep, which to delegate, and which to let go of as your leadership goals evolve?
• What is the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why do women physicians need both?
• How can you build relationships with senior leaders who may be able to advocate for you when leadership opportunities arise?
• How can you make your accomplishments visible and help potential sponsors communicate your value to decision-makers?
• Why is it important to build relationships before a leadership position is formally announced?
• How can you clarify your leadership destination and develop a strategic plan to get there?
• What common mistakes can keep women physicians from advancing into higher-level leadership roles?

You don’t have to keep adding responsibilities to prove you’re ready for leadership. You need to be intentional about the work you take on, clear about the impact you want to make, and connected to people who can help you get there. Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant shares how women physicians can move beyond simply being dependable and accomplished to becoming visible, influential candidates for the leadership roles they want.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Udovic-Constant: 

Website:
https://drshannonudovicconstant.com

Substack:
https://physicianwomenrising.substack.com/

Ep 212: Is Doing More Actually Helping You Advance Into Leadership? with Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant Part 1

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000793418390

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yZYRHbsNiozUoHf7EXRU8?si=558b7ed7f45440e8 

What if taking on more responsibilities isn't actually moving you closer to the leadership role you want? For women physicians, excellent work can open the door to leadership—but advancing into higher-level decision-making roles requires a more strategic approach. In this episode, Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant shares practical advice for women physicians who want to expand their influence, make their leadership contributions visible, and intentionally build toward the roles where they can have a greater impact.

Shannon Udovic-Constant, MD, is a pediatrician, physician leader, and served as the 5th woman president of the largest State Medical Association in its 160+ year history. A UCSF-trained pediatrician with The Permanente Medical Group in San Francisco, she has chaired board committees on governance and physician wellness, led statewide child health legislation, and represented medicine nationally during critical federal policy debates. She is the founder of Physician Women Rising, through which she coaches women physicians to rise into advanced leadership, expand their influence, and shape the future of healthcare.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Why isn't excellent clinical work alone enough to advance into higher-level leadership roles?
• How can women physicians make their leadership contributions and accomplishments more visible without feeling like they're bragging?
• How can you determine where you actually want to go in your leadership career—and make sure your current responsibilities are helping you get there?
• Why is it important to tell people what you want when you're seeking a leadership role?
• How can women physicians avoid taking on more and more responsibilities that don't actually move them toward their leadership goals?
• What does it mean to build sponsorship rather than relying solely on mentorship?
• How can physicians use their time more strategically and know when it's time to let go of a role?
• How can letting go of perfectionism make delegation and teamwork more effective?
• Why is it important to stop waiting until you feel completely ready to take on a bigger leadership role?
• How can women physicians reframe the discomfort of stepping into a new role as an opportunity to learn and grow?

Advancing into leadership isn't simply about doing more or proving that you can handle more. It's about being intentional about where you're going, making your contributions visible, building the right relationships, and being willing to step into opportunities before you feel completely ready. Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant shares how women physicians can approach leadership advancement strategically—and ultimately position themselves to have a greater influence on their patients, organizations, and the future of medicine.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Udovic-Constant: 

Website:
https://drshannonudovicconstant.com

Substack:
https://physicianwomenrising.substack.com/

What can improv teach us about being better physicians, navigating relationships, and handling the unexpected? In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer shares how stepping onto an improv stage changed the way she sees herself, her work, and the challenges of everyday life. We talk about what she discovered through improv—and how those lessons have influenced the way she approaches medicine, parenting, coaching, and her own perfectionism.

Dr. Wendy Schofer, MD is a dual-board certified pediatrician and lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed parenting coach specializing in eating disorder prevention for family members of all ages and sizes. As Founder of Family in Focus®, she's on a mission to help 1 million families build the social-emotional skills that strengthen relationships with food, body, and *especially* each other. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How did improv help Dr. Schofer reconnect with play and find relief from the stress and burnout she was experiencing?
• What can stepping outside our professional and personal roles teach us about who we are beyond what we do?
• How can improv help physicians let go of the pressure to always be serious, responsible, and “perfect”?
• What does the improv principle of “make your partner look good” mean, and how can physicians use it with patients and families?
• How can the “yes, and” approach help us reduce conflict and build stronger relationships?
• Why is accepting what someone else brings to a conversation different from simply agreeing with them?
• How can the improv exercise “new choice” help us develop cognitive flexibility and consider possibilities beyond our first reaction?
• How can improv principles be applied to coaching, parenting, patient care, and everyday relationships?
• Why is being willing to fail an important part of trying something new and creating something that works?
• How can letting go of perfectionism give us more freedom to experiment, take risks, and create the life we actually want?

Dr. Schofer shows us that improv is about much more than comedy. By learning to accept what is, build on what others bring to the table, consider new possibilities, and even risk failure, we can become more flexible, connected, and willing to step outside our comfort zones. These are skills we can take far beyond the stage and into our practices, relationships, and everyday lives.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Schofer:

Website:
www.wendyschofermd.com

No More Candy Wrappers Under the Bed program: How to stop your child's sneaking and create healthy relationships
www.wendyschofermd.com/no-more-candy-wrappers

Family in Focus Podcast:
https://podcast.wendyschofermd.com/

Ep 209: Preventing Eating Disorders Without Turning Food Into a Power Struggle with Dr. Wendy Schofer Part 1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000789747993

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52QFsoWphyIRDKk4VrsceD?si=0e816d60c34f4f33

Ep 210: Preventing Eating Disorders Without Turning Food Into a Power Struggle with Dr. Wendy Schofer Part 2

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000791077073

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6e5trIzKGe4ziHu7AocP8x?si=35c1d0eb23a848a9

How can parents help their children develop healthier eating habits without creating more pressure, control, or conflict around food? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Wendy Schofer, we explore the reasons children and adults eat beyond physical hunger and how parents can respond with curiosity rather than judgment. We also discuss how to support growing independence in preteens and teenagers while still providing the consistency and structure children need.

Dr. Wendy Schofer, MD, FAAP, DipABLM, PCC, NBC-HWC, TIPC, is a dual-board certified pediatrician and lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed parenting coach specializing in eating disorder prevention for family members of all ages and sizes. As Founder of Family in Focus®, she's on a mission to help 1 million families build the social-emotional skills that strengthen relationships with food, body, and especially each other.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why do children—and adults—eat for reasons beyond physical hunger?
• How can parents recognize when boredom, sadness, frustration, or other emotions may be influencing a child’s eating patterns?
• Why is it important to get curious about eating patterns before trying to change them?
• How can parents respond to emotional eating without immediately labeling it as “bad” or trying to stop it?
• Why can reducing pressure around food help lower concerns about disordered eating?
• How can parents build a healthier relationship with food without making portions, calories, or numbers the primary focus?
• How can parents become an ally to their child rather than turning food into a battle for control?
• How should parents approach increasing independence around food as children enter the preteen and teenage years?
• How can parents provide structure and consistency without becoming controlling?
• What can parents do when their child wants to make food choices they don't agree with?
• Why is it okay for children to be disappointed when parents set limits around food?
• How can parents focus on what will support their child in the long run rather than simply keeping them happy in the moment?

Dr. Schofer reminds us that preventing disordered eating isn't about finding one perfect approach or controlling every choice a child makes. It's about slowing down, getting curious about patterns, reducing pressure around food, and creating the consistency and connection children need as they grow. By staying on the same team with our children—even when they push back—we can support healthier relationships with food, body, and each other.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Schofer:

Website:
www.wendyschofermd.com

No More Candy Wrappers Under the Bed program: How to stop your child's sneaking and create healthy relationships
www.wendyschofermd.com/no-more-candy-wrappers

Family in Focus Podcast:
https://podcast.wendyschofermd.com/

Ep 209: Preventing Eating Disorders Without Turning Food Into a Power Struggle with Dr. Wendy Schofer Part 1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-women-physicians/id1630624425?i=1000789747993

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52QFsoWphyIRDKk4VrsceD?si=0e816d60c34f4f33 

What if some of the ways parents try to improve their children’s eating habits could actually create more conflict around food? In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer shares why eating disorder prevention starts with the family—and why parents’ own relationships with food and body play such an important role. We discuss how to create a healthier environment around food without relying on restriction, pressure, or control.

Dr. Wendy Schofer, MD, FAAP, DipABLM, PCC, NBC-HWC, TIPC, is a dual-board certified pediatrician and lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed parenting coach specializing in eating disorder prevention for family members of all ages and sizes. As Founder of Family in Focus®, she's on a mission to help 1 million families build the social-emotional skills that strengthen relationships with food, body, and especially each other.

In this episode, we discuss:

• When should eating disorder prevention begin?
• Why does Dr. Schofer focus on parents and the family environment rather than simply trying to change a child’s behavior?
• How can parents’ own experiences with dieting, restriction, shame, and body image shape their children’s relationship with food?
• Why can telling children what to eat, how much to eat, or how much to exercise lead to resistance and conflict?
• How can attempts to control children’s eating contribute to secrecy, food struggles, and shame?
• What does it actually mean to help children develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies?
• Why is focusing on what is already working in a family more productive than constantly looking for what needs to be fixed?
• How can parents model the relationship with food and body they want their children to develop?
• Why are strong family relationships and connection so important to eating disorder prevention?

Dr. Schofer’s approach to eating disorder prevention starts with a simple but powerful shift: instead of focusing solely on changing what children eat, we can look at the relationships, beliefs, and environment surrounding food. By working on ourselves and modeling healthier relationships with food and body, parents can help create an environment where children can thrive—without turning food into a power struggle.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Schofer:

Website:
www.wendyschofermd.com

No More Candy Wrappers Under the Bed program: How to stop your child's sneaking and create healthy relationships
www.wendyschofermd.com/no-more-candy-wrappers

Family in Focus Podcast:
https://podcast.wendyschofermd.com/

Building a successful medical practice takes far more than being a great physician. Dr. Soheila Rostami shares the lessons she learned building two practices from the ground up—including how to identify your ideal patient population, hire and retain high-performing staff, create a strong practice culture, and use market research and technology to stay competitive.

Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS, is a double board-certified surgeon, renowned for her expertise in oculoplastic and facial aesthetic surgery.

As the founder and medical director of Sanctuary Cosmetic Center and Rostami Oculo Facial Plastic Consultants, Dr. Rostami has dedicated her career to enhancing both the function and beauty of the face through advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques.

With over two and a half decades of experience, Dr. Rostami is a sought-after expert in facelift and eyelid surgery, facial rejuvenation, and aesthetic injectables.

Dr. Rostami have performed thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries over the last 25 years and have created a unique- state of the art AAAHC accredited Surgical Center in her McLean, Virginia Location- serving the state of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Colombia in addition to patients who fly in to see her from all over the world.

Dr. Rostami is also a Fellowship Director for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, where she hosts a Fellow for 1 year at a time to help the cosmetic surgeons of the future become experienced and board eligible. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What does it really take to build a successful medical practice from the ground up?
• How can physicians develop a unique value proposition instead of simply copying what competitors are doing?
• What role does marketing research play in understanding what your patients actually want and need?
• How do you find the right people for the right roles—and recognize when a highly skilled employee may still be a poor fit for your practice?
• What can physicians do to build, motivate, and retain a high-performing team?
• How can bonuses, recognition, and other incentives be used to reward exceptional performance?
• What systems help keep a growing practice organized and running smoothly?
• What does an effective hiring process look like, and what kinds of interviews are best before making an offer?
• How can physicians prevent burnout and chaos by creating a culture of accountability and organization?
• How is Dr. Rostami using AI to improve patient education, scheduling, and surgical center operations?

From hiring the right people to knowing when to let the wrong ones go, Dr. Rostami offers a candid look at the people, systems, and business decisions behind a thriving medical practice. Her biggest lesson? Building a successful practice is a continuous process of learning, adapting, and surrounding yourself with the right team.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Rostami:

Instagram (Dr. Rostami):
@beautybyDrRostami

Instagram (Sanctuary Cosmetic Center):
@sanctuarycosmeticcenter

Website:
https://www.sanctuarycosmeticcenter.com/

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/SanctuaryCosmeticCenter/

What happens when years of medical training teach you to undervalue your own time—and how can that affect the way you earn, spend, and build wealth? 

In Part 2 of our conversation, Dr. Billina Shaw explores the financial boundaries, money scripts, and deeply ingrained beliefs that can shape women physicians’ financial decisions. She discusses why it can be so difficult to charge what your work is worth, how medical training can contribute to financial devaluation and lifestyle creep, and how to move beyond guilt and shame toward more intentional financial choices. Dr. Shaw also shares practical ways to recognize inherited money patterns, build financial resilience, and separate your net worth from your self-worth.

Dr. Billina Shaw is a Yale-educated triple board-certified psychiatrist (child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry; addiction medicine) with an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has served as a Senior Medical Advisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), bringing federal-level expertise in behavioral health policy and implementation. Dr. Shaw now works with high-achievers, leaders, and organizations to move from anxious and disconnected to purposeful, peaceful, and prosperous. Through her speaker platform and financial wellness coaching practice, she bridges clinical psychiatry, behavioral health strategy, and the psychological roots of financial decision-making and well-being.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why do women physicians often feel uncomfortable charging for their time, expertise, and services?
• How can setting financial boundaries protect your time, energy, peace, and long-term financial goals?
• How does medical training contribute to the devaluation of physicians’ time and expertise—and how can that affect financial decisions later?
• Why can physicians experience a pendulum swing from extreme financial deprivation to overspending after residency?
• How can physicians enjoy their money without falling into mindless spending or all-or-nothing financial rules?
• How do guilt, shame, and financial trauma influence the way we earn, spend, save, and invest?
• How can you recognize and reshape inherited money scripts that may have been passed down through generations?
• What can we learn from major financial disruptions or losses that were outside our control?
• How can viewing your knowledge, skills, relationships, and abilities as assets help you feel more financially resilient?
• How long does it typically take to make meaningful changes in deeply rooted financial beliefs and behaviors?
• What is the difference between your net worth and your self-worth—and why does that distinction matter for financial wellness?

Ultimately, Dr. Shaw reminds us that financial wellness is about more than numbers. It begins with understanding the beliefs and experiences that shape our relationship with money—and recognizing that our net worth does not determine our worth.

Interested in learning more about my telehealth direct specialty care practice? At AmazVita MD, I help patients optimize weight and metabolic health, harmonize hormones in peri/menopause, and enhance wellness and vitality. Accepting new patients now.

Website:
amazvitamd.com

Email:
[email protected]

Learn more about me or schedule a FREE coaching call:
https://www.joyfulsuccessliving.com/

Join the Voices of Women Physicians Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190596326343825/

Connect with Dr. Shaw:

Website:
www.drbillina.com

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-billina 

Instagram:
@drbillina

Text GROW to 55444 to join Dr. Shaw’s email list.