Heroes of Healthcare Tim Fischer

How can one care for others when they are not okay themselves?

This question has resonated throughout the life of our guest today, Dr. Natalie Dougé, a provider in the Department of Medicine at Montefiore Einstein, specializing in Internal Medicine.

Born and raised in the Bronx as a first-generation American, Dr. Dougé recounts her frontline experiences during the initial COVID-19 outbreak and the profound impact it had on her professional and personal life. This led her to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-care after experiencing burnout, becoming a locum tenens doctor to continue sharing her profession with love and passion across America. 

We also discuss: 
The importance of taking a break before pursuing a career in medicine.Dr. Dougé’s participation in The First Wave documentary by National Geographic (available in Hulu), and the challenges experienced by healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. How humility and openness to new experiences can lead to becoming outstanding healthcare professionals.

In this episode, Dr. Earley shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a medical family in Cincinnati to becoming a prominent addiction medicine physician. He discusses the personal trials that led him to his career, including his battle with addiction and how it shaped his compassionate approach to patient care. Dr. Earley also elaborates on his role at the Georgia Professional Health Program and the challenges physicians face today, emphasizing the importance of supporting healthcare providers' well-being.

We'll Discuss...The importance of compassion in healthcare and how personal experiences can deepen empathy and improve patient care.The resilience required to overcome addiction and transform it into a professional strength.The critical need for healthcare systems to support physicians' mental health and work-life balance to ensure the best care for patients.

In this episode, Dr. Gregory Charlop, MD shares his journey from an aspiring rock star to becoming a pediatric anesthesiologist. 


Listeners will learn about…
How passions and interests can influence career choices.The rigorous pathway to becoming a physician, including the realities of medical school, residency, and the optional fellowship training.The benefits of alternative career models like locum tenens for achieving work-life balance and greater control over personal schedules.Effective strategies for preventing burnout and enhancing quality of life.

In this episode, Tim is joined by Anne Anderson, a seasoned expert in the locum tenens industry, to explore the world of temporary healthcare staffing. With over three decades of experience, Anne delves into how locum tenens has reshaped the healthcare landscape, offering flexibility to healthcare professionals and ensuring communities receive the care they need.

Tim and Anne also discuss:
 Anne's unexpected journey from an office manager to a leading figure in healthcare staffingThe evolution of locum tenens from a niche solution to a vital component of healthcare deliveryThe importance of adaptability and work-life balance in healthcare for patients and providersThe personal stories of impact and resilience she's encountered along the way
TAKEAWAYSEmbracing locum tenens as a career path can offer healthcare professionals unprecedented flexibility and work-life balance, which is crucial for their mental well-being and long-term career satisfaction.The growth of locum tenens in the healthcare industry demonstrates the importance of adaptive staffing solutions in meeting the evolving needs of healthcare facilities and ensuring care continuity.Working in various healthcare settings as a locum tenens professional broadens your clinical skills and enhances your adaptability to different work environments and patient needs.Locum tenens is essential for addressing healthcare disparities, ensuring communities have access to quality healthcare services regardless of geographic or economic barriers.

In this episode, we explore the significant challenges and strategies in physician recruitment with Carey Goryl, CEO of AAPPR. The discussion focuses on AAPPR's efforts to support healthcare organizations in finding, onboarding, and keeping the best physicians. Listeners will learn about:
AAPPR's key role in tackling the physician shortage and ensuring healthcare organizations have access to talented professionals.The impact of physician shortages on healthcare, including the effects on patient care and the need for a diverse healthcare workforce.Carey’s insights on leadership and culture within healthcare organizations, and their influence on recruitment and retention efforts.

We need to make sure our physicians are qualified, but there’s always room for ensuring that the certification process honors the needs and realities of today’s medical and healthcare landscape.

This week, Tim Fischer speaks with Karen Schatten, Associate Director of the National Board of Physician and Surgeons. Karen brings a sincere passion for addressing physician burnout, dissatisfaction with traditional certification pathways, and supporting the goal of lifelong learning among all healthcare professionals. She delves into how patients across the country are affected by a status quo that too often fails to keep physicians focused on their patients—or fails to keep them in the medical field altogether.

Join us as we discuss:The origin story for the National Board of Physicians and SurgeonsWhy it’s vital for credentialing bodies and hospital administrations recognize and accept varied certification pathwaysThe problem with valuing the dollar over the dataHow to ensure that administrative processes and requirements are adding true value