The Balanced Medics' Handover Podcast Balanced Medics

Dr Adaira Landry is an Emergency Medicine Physician, and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School with almost a decade of experience mentoring students and early-career professionals. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and mentor. She co-founded Writing in Color, a nonprofit that teaches the craft of writing. 

Dr Resa E. Lewiss is a Professor of Emergency Medicine, TEDMed speaker, designer, entrepreneur, educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She also hosts the Visible Voices Podcast, amplifying content in the healthcare, equity, and current trends spaces. 

They're on to discuss their upcoming book, 'Micro Skills: Small Actions Big Impact', which is a business self-help book about reaching big goals in small actionable steps. They share their personal journeys in medicine and writing, as well as what drew them to emergency medicine. The book covers various themes, including self-care, communication, reputation building, networking, conflict navigation, and finding new opportunities. The authors emphasise the importance of self-care first, before everything else.



We Discuss


The importance of self-care and the impact of the workplace environment on professional success
Dr Lewiss & Dr Landry's new book, 'MicroSkills: Small Actions Big Impact'


Self-care and compassion are essential to prevent burnout and promote well-being
The importance of authentic self-expression, doing things you enjoy, and how this helps us show up as better versions of ourselves

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Connect with

Dr Adaira Landry here: X/Twitter, LinkedIN, Instagram; www.adairalandryMD.com

Dr Resa E. Lewiss here: LinkedIN, Instagram, X/Twitter;  www.resalewissmd.com

Buy the book from April 16th 2024 here: Amazon | HarperCollins

Dr. Malathi Acharya shares her journey from being a hospitalist to becoming a primary care physician and eventually starting her own practice in integrative medicine. Dr. Acharya emphasises the importance of self-care and self-nourishment in combating burnout and finding meaning and purpose in medicine.



We discuss:

- How self-care and self-nourishment are essential in combating burnout and finding meaning and purpose in medicine

- Starting your own practice requires learning new skills and overcoming fears, but it offers the opportunity for greater control and fulfilment

- Emerging models of medicine that provide hope for a more balanced and fulfilling career



For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching



Reach out to Dr Malathi here: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Dr. Patrick Johnson, a psychiatrist and the medical director of the Victorian Doctors' Health Program, discusses physician suicide and wellbeing. He shares his journey to becoming a psychiatrist and his interest in doctors’ health. Dr. Johnson emphasises the importance of addressing loneliness, shame, and depression as risk factors for suicide. He highlights the need for leadership and wellbeing in the medical profession and encourages open conversations and connections among colleagues. 



We discuss how:

- Loneliness, shame, and depression are significant risk factors for physician suicide

- Leadership and wellbeing are crucial in addressing mental health issues in the medical profession

- Open conversations and connections among colleagues can help prevent physician suicide

- Prioritising wellbeing is essential 

- Supervision and coaching are valuable resources for doctors to gain wisdom and navigate the challenges of their careers

- Balance is a dynamic process that requires actively making time for different aspects of life



If you or someone you know needs help please call your local doctors' health service or Lifeline.

Doctors' Health Service - Drs4Drs.com | 1300 374 377

Lifeline | 13 11 14

Dr Stephen Bergman AKA Samuel Shem, author of famed ‘The House of God’, is on to talk his new book.



‘Our Hospital’ is the final book in Shem’s Healing Quartet, about the COVID-19 pandemic and money-driven bureaucracy in medicine. 



It was fun to speak with Shem to hear about his colourful life & provocative books.



‘The House of God’ is a satirical novel, exposing the dark side of medicine training. It’s often said that ‘The House of God’ did for the art of medicine what ‘Catch-22’ did for the art of war.



We discuss:

- Shem’s reason for going into medicine (Harvard Med OR conscription to the Vietnam War)

- Why Shem got into writing (and how he got F for writing in Harvard & didn’t write for 4 years after that)

- ‘The House of God’

- His new book ‘Our Hospital’ 

- Shem’s hope for the future of medicine & healthcare workers

- The importance of sticking together and human connection



Get Shem's new book here.

Dr Jolie Keenan is an infectious disease physician, real estate investor, mother, and founder of Best Year Journals. Best Year Journals was created after witnessing patients write down lists of dreams and aspirations post life-changing diagnoses. Jolie noticed that often the dreams were being written down for retirement, so she decided to create these journals with her mother so that we can live our “retirement” goals NOW. 



We discuss:

- Migration

- Choosing our specialty

- Highlights & challenges of infectious disease 

- Exploring the world outside of medicine

- Entrepreneurship 

- A little bit of magic



For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching



Get the journals here Best Year Journals

Dr Mary Leung is on this episode to discuss how she recovered from burnout and found a path that aligned with her values more. Dr Leung is a physician specialised in medical oncology, haematology, and internal medicine. She went from feeling trapped and devalued at work to regaining control of her life.



We discuss:

- what led up to Mary’s burnout

- the danger of self-sacrifice

- how she transformed her life

- how caring for ourselves helps how we relate and help others

- the importance of boundary setting

- we are worthy, just as we are

- the power of gratitude and curiosity



For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching



Find out more about Mary here: shiningwithgratitudemd.com | shiningwithgratitudemd@gmail.com | Facebook | LinkedIn