Life Changing Moments: Listening to the voice inside, Dr. Rebecca Evangelista
Rx for Success Podcast
What does a general surgeon know about navigating a career that feels misaligned? Everything. In this profound episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Rebecca Evangelista, a surgeon and academic leader who has masterfully shaped her career through a series of thoughtful and courageous pivots. Dr. Evangelista shares her incredible journey from a gap year working for a surgeon she didn't want to emulate, to a medical student drawn to primary care, and finally to embracing the thriving feeling she found in the operating room. Her story is a...
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212. The Listener: Nadine Semer, MD, MPH
Rx for Success Podcast
What does a plastic and reconstructive surgeon know about end-of-life care? Everything. In this profound episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Nadine Semer, who made the remarkable transition from a successful career in plastic surgery to becoming a palliative medicine physician. Dr. Semer shares her incredible journey and the wisdom that led her to write the essential book, "15 Lessons: Connecting with Patients for More Authentic and Empowering Conversations." This isn't just a book about death and dying; it's a masterclass in the art of communication for every...
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Life Changing Moments: Honoring Yourself, with Dr. Amna Shabbir
Rx for Success Podcast
Feeling exhausted, heartbroken, and questioning your future in medicine? You are not alone. In this powerful episode of Life-Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Amna Shabbir, a primary care internist, geriatrician, and master certified physician coach, for a raw and honest conversation about physician burnout, moral injury, and finding a path forward. Dr. Shabbir bravely shares her own story of reaching a breaking point in traditional primary care, describing it not just as burnout, but as a profound "heartbreak." She opens up about the crushing weight of systemic issues,...
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211. The Surgeon: Valentin Calu, MD, PhD
Rx for Success Podcast
What does it truly mean to be successful in medicine? This episode features Dr. Valentin Calu, an Associate Professor of Surgery from Romania, who shares his profound journey from a near-fatal plane crash during an organ harvest mission to his powerful return to the operating room. Discover a unique perspective on surgical leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the deep personal growth required to thrive in high-stakes medical environments. Dr. Calu provides his definitive "Prescription for Success," a ten-point framework built on discipline, team value, and self-awareness. This...
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Life Changing Moments: The Unseen Crisis: Healing the Healers with Dr. Stephanie Simmons
Rx for Success Podcast
If you or a healthcare professional you know is struggling, confidential help is available: Physician Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141. This is a national, free, and confidential support line staffed by volunteer psychiatrists. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime for immediate support from a trained counselor. In the high-stakes world of medicine, the focus is relentlessly on patient care, often at the expense of the caregivers themselves. Physicians and healthcare workers face some of the highest rates of burnout, depression, and suicide of any...
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210: The Coach: Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC
Rx for Success Podcast
In this profound conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir who is an internist, geriatrician, and life coach, shares her journey through medicine’s highs and lows, revealing how self-awareness and resilience can transform burnout into purpose. From her early days in Pakistan’s rigorous medical training to navigating health challenges during residency at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Shabbir emphasizes the power of empathetic leadership. She reflects on a pivotal moment when her program director prioritized her well-being over work demands, teaching her that self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential for...
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209: The Pharmacist: Bella Mehta, Pharm.D., FAPhA
Rx for Success Podcast
During a recent conversation, Dr. Bela Mehta, Chair of the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, shared her insights on the vital role of community pharmacists. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, including increased patient care demands and immunization efforts, which contributed to rising levels of burnout among pharmacy practitioners. Dr. Mehta reflected on her personal journey, beginning with her father’s immigration from India to the U.S. in the 1960s, her childhood in India, and her eventual...
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LCM 62: Breaking the Burnout Cycle, with Dr. Stuart Slavin
Rx for Success Podcast
Host Dr. Dael Waxman welcomes Dr. Stuart Slavin, Vice President for Well-Being at the ACGME, for a deep dive into the systemic challenges and solutions surrounding physician well-being in medical training. Dr. Slavin recounts his transformative work at St. Louis University, where interventions like reduced class time and pass-fail grading slashed student depression rates by 80%—without sacrificing academic performance. The conversation exposes the harsh realities residents face: sleep deprivation, productivity pressures, and cultures that stigmatize vulnerability. Dr. Slavin details how the...
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LCM61: Thriving in Residency - Dr. Kelly Schmidt
Rx for Success Podcast
In this episode of Life-Changing Moments, Dr. Kelly Schmidt, a fifth-year otolaryngology resident at the University of Missouri, shares pragmatic insights on resilience and self-care in medical training. Moving beyond conventional wellness advice, she emphasizes sustainable, small-scale habits—such as integrating personal checklists and celebrating incremental progress—to navigate residency’s demands. Crucially, she reframes resilience as a systemic issue, challenging the notion that burnout reflects individual failure. Dr. Schmidt candidly discusses the pressures of rigorous schedules,...
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208. The Dean: Stephanie Wu, DPM, MS, FACFAS
Rx for Success Podcast
This episode of Prescription for Success features Dr. Stephanie Wu, an internationally renowned podiatrist and dean of the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Wu shares her unconventional journey into medicine, beginning with a career in marketing before serendipitously discovering podiatry through an unplanned MCAT exam. Her story highlights the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities and embracing career changes. She also reflects on her deeply personal decision to become a U.S. citizen following the events of September 11, emphasizing the...
info_outlineDr. Disha Spath, an internist and hospitalist based in upstate New York, shares her inspiring journey from India to the United States, reflecting on how personal hardships and cultural transitions shaped her views on success, financial stability, and the importance of financial literacy among physicians. She discusses the impact of a traumatic childhood loss, the financial challenges of medical education, and her determination to create a secure future for her children—free from the uncertainties of financial instability.
Dr. Spath’s story highlights her family’s deep roots in healthcare and her father’s struggles with mental health, which ultimately led to their relocation to the U.S. She recounts the challenges of adapting to a new culture, navigating language barriers, and overcoming socioeconomic obstacles. Her academic journey took her to the University of Georgia for her undergraduate studies and later to the Medical College of Georgia, where she faced the rigorous demands of medical training alongside the realities of significant student debt.
As an attending physician, Dr. Spath recognized the widespread financial pressures faced by many in the medical profession. This realization led to the creation of her initiative, The Frugal Physician, which empowers fellow physicians to take control of their finances through mindful spending, strategic investing, and a frugal lifestyle. She outlines the key strategies she employed to become debt-free, including reducing unnecessary expenses, downsizing her living situation, and utilizing a debt snowball approach to accelerate loan repayment.
Dr. Spath underscores the importance of maintaining a strong financial foundation by managing the gap between income and expenditures while maximizing financial efficiency. She advocates for early investing, understanding the tax code, and strategically leveraging debt for wealth-building opportunities.
For further insights and resources, Dr. Spath offers financial guidance through her website, The Frugal Physician, and her podcast, Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician. She continues to foster discussions on financial well-being through her online community and social media platforms, encouraging physicians to take charge of their financial health.
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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com
Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com