Surgeon, Interrupted

Hippocratic Collective
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  • MEDICINE

A raw, reality-style podcast following Dr. Frances Mei Hardin’s final months as a surgeon and her bold leap into the unknown. Through solo episodes and unfiltered guest convos, it captures the chaos, clarity, and courage of walking away from a “dream career” to choose something better. For high-achievers, burnt-out professionals, and anyone ready to rewrite the rules - this isn’t just a show. It’s a permission slip. Find more info about Surgeon, Interrupted and other shows on the Hippocratic Collective at hippocratic-collective.com

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    USMLE Step 1 Failure to U.S. Doctor: IMG Journey No One Talks About | Imane Tarib, MD

    What if the moment that almost broke you… was the one that made everything possible? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances sits down with cornea specialist Dr. Imane Tarib to unpack a journey that spans continents, identities, and nearly two decades of training. From medical school in Morocco to starting over in the United States as an IMG, Imane shares what it actually takes to rebuild a career from scratch—learning a new system, navigating isolation, and studying for the USMLE for 18 months… only to fail. But this isn’t a story about failure. It’s about what happens after. They talk about: The reality of being an IMG and immigrant in U.S. medicineThe psychological impact of failure—and how to reframe itThe hidden cost of “starting over” after already becoming a doctorLove, long distance, and choosing a life that wasn’t the original planWhy success often looks effortless—but never is Imane’s story challenges the myth of the “straight path” in medicine—and replaces it with something more honest: persistence, reinvention, and the courage to keep going when nothing feels certain. Because sometimes the long way is the only way. And sometimes, it’s the right one. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Imane Tarib, MD Connect with Imane: - Instagram: @imanetarib.md - TikTok: @imanetarib.md - LinkedIn: Imane Tarib, MD - YouTube: @RealImaneTaribMD Imane Tarib, MD, is a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Imane is an International Medical Graduate from Morocco who trained at the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat before completing three research fellowships and two advanced Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery fellowships at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Palm Beach Gardens. Her academic focus includes corneal disease, refractive cataract surgery, and global ophthalmology. Her work also explores the intersection of medicine, mentorship, and advocacy for international medical graduates and women in medicine. Through her social media platforms, she shares insights into medical training, career growth, and building a meaningful life in and outside of medicine. Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    48 min

  2. 21 APR

    The Line Between Self-Advocacy and Survival in Medicine

    This week on Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Kate Buhrke following their trip to the LMSA West conference—where one theme came up again and again: How do you protect yourself in a system that doesn’t protect you? From toxic power dynamics and inappropriate behavior in training, to the blurred line between self-advocacy and self-preservation, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what medical students and residents are still facing today. They dive into: The reality of one-on-one power in clinical trainingWhy “just playing the game” comes at a costThe myth that abuse creates better doctorsUnionization, organizing, and why change feels so slowThe hidden emotional toll: “death by a thousand cuts”Why some specialties get away with more than others And ultimately—what it means to speak up, find community, and remind people: You’re not crazy. You’re not alone. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Kate Burhke, DO Connect with Kate: https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/kate-buhrke-do Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    29 min

  3. 14 APR

    Why So Many Doctors Feel Like Outsiders | Neurodivergence in Medicine

    What if the traits that made you successful in medicine are also what made it so hard? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Frances Mei sits down with ENT physician Dr. Colleen Plein for a deeply honest conversation about neurodivergence, identity, and what it really means to “fit in” in medicine. They explore: ADHD, autism, and giftedness in high-achieving physiciansWhy so many doctors feel like outsidersThe hidden cost of residency culture and hierarchyHighly sensitive people (HSPs) and emotional intensityReframing “too much” as a superpowerFinding community in a system that wasn’t built for you If you’ve ever felt different, overwhelmed, or like you don’t quite belong—this episode is for you. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Colleen Plein, MD Connect with Colleen: @boogerbossmd Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    42 min

  4. 7 APR

    Janitor to Doctor: Shay Taylor’s Journey to Yale Anesthesia

    In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Shay Taylor—newly matched at Yale Anesthesiology, and a story that has gone viral around the world. But this is not just a “feel-good” story. This is a conversation about what it actually takes to get there: the years of working full-time while in school, the rejection, the debt, the doubt, and the mindset required to keep going when everything says stop. Shay shares what it means to build a career without mentorship, to start medicine later than everyone else, and to keep moving forward after being told, directly, that she would never make it. This episode is about resilience, but not in a polished, curated way. It’s about crash outs, losses, and choosing to continue anyway. In this episode, we discuss: Shay’s journey from janitor to physicianMatching into Yale Anesthesia after a nontraditional pathWhat it’s like to pursue medicine without guidance or resourcesWorking full-time while completing undergrad and a master’sBeing told “medical school isn’t for you”—and continuing anywayThe reality of failure (“the L’s”) in medical trainingHow to handle rejection without quittingDelayed gratification, debt, and why medicine has to be personalSocial media, professionalism, and the “new generation” of doctorsWhy patients may actually want more human—not less—in their physicians Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Dr. Shay Taylor Connect with Shay: @shayy.taylor Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    36 min

  5. 31 MAR

    The Match Is a Monopoly (And Everyone Knows It Now)

    The Match is a monopoly. And now, it’s official. In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei is joined by Colin Royal for an emergency breakdown of a newly released congressional report from the House Judiciary Committee—one that directly calls the NRMP (residency Match) a monopoly with “destructive consequences” for physicians, patients, and the healthcare system at large. If you’ve been through medical training, none of this is surprising. But this is the first time it’s being said at this level. We get into what this actually means—beyond Match Week, beyond the algorithm—and why this moment could mark the beginning of a long-overdue shift in how medical training is structured in the United States. This is not a conversation about preference signaling or rank lists. This is a conversation about power. In this episode, we discuss: The House Judiciary Committee report on the NRMP and why it mattersHow the Match suppresses wages and limits competitionThe 2004 antitrust exemption—and how it shaped the current systemWhy residents have little to no negotiating powerThe concept of “mobility” (and why being trapped is the real issue)Why some specialties can treat trainees worse—and get away with itWhether a “transfer portal” for residents could existThe myth that residents are “just trainees”How resident labor actually powers academic hospitalsWhy this is not a residents vs. NPs/PAs issue—but a system-wide one Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    31 min

  6. 24 MAR

    Freedom, Fear, and the First Year Out: A.YoungDoctors.Journey on Locums Medicine

    In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances sits down with Helena (A.YoungDoctors.Journey), an emergency medicine physician redefining what early attending life can look like. Fresh out of residency, she chose a path many physicians are warned against: full-time locum tenens work. What follows is an honest, nuanced conversation about autonomy, uncertainty, and what it means to build a career outside the traditional script. They unpack: The hidden fear of showing up online as a physicianWhy “freedom of time” became non-negotiableThe reality of 1099 vs W-2 (explained simply)Early attending insecurity—and why it’s universalThe myth that more years = better doctorTravel, money, and the unexpected perks of locumsAnd the deeper question: what are you choosing by staying where you are? This is not a pitch for leaving medicine—or for locums. It’s a conversation about choice, agency, and expanding what feels possible. Because the goal isn’t one path. It’s knowing you have options. A.YoungDoctors.Journey is an emergency medicine physician and recent residency graduate, and spends far too much of her free time posting about life in medicine on social media. She completed medical school in Budapest and matched as a US-IMG. Currently, she’s doing locum tenens full-time and is learning how to navigate finances, entrepreneurship and attending life as a 1099 contractor. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: A.YoungDoctors.Journey Connect with Helena: @a.youngdoctors.journey www.ayoungdoctorsjourney.com Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    36 min

  7. 17 MAR

    From ICU Doctor to Filmmaker: Jessica Zitter on Extremis, Storytelling, and the Future of Medicine

    In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei speaks with physician, writer, and documentary filmmaker Jessica Zitter, MD, whose work explores some of the most difficult, and most human, moments in medicine. Dr. Zitter first gained international recognition through the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary Extremis, which captured the emotional reality of end-of-life care inside the ICU. Since then, she has continued to use storytelling to challenge the culture of modern medicine. Together, Frances and Jessica discuss: • How physicians become powerful storytellers • Why medical culture often silences trainees • The toxic hierarchies embedded in healthcare training • The emotional toll of ICU and end-of-life care • Why compassion, communication, and palliative care principles should exist in every specialty—not just palliative medicine Jessica also shares the story behind her newest documentary, The Chaplain and the Doctor, which follows her 15-year collaboration with a hospital chaplain and explores spirituality, bias, and humanity at the bedside. This conversation explores how storytelling can transform medicine—from the ICU to the operating room—and why speaking honestly about medical culture may be the first step toward changing it. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Jessica Zitter, MD, MPH Connect with Jessica: @jessicazitter reelmedicinemedia.org thechaplainandthedoctor.com Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd Jessica Zitter, MD, MPH is a documentary filmmaker, writer, physician, and founder of Reel Medicine Media, a non-profit devoted to using story to transform and humanize medical culture. Dr. Zitter is the primary featured subject and a member of the team that created the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “Extremis (2016).” She went on to direct and produce the award-winning documentary “Caregiver: A Love Story (2020),” which examines the growing crisis of family caregiver burden in the United States. Her third documentary, “The Chaplain & The Doctor (2025)” explores the transformative relationship between a hospital chaplain and a physician challenging the fragmented clinical approach to patient care. Dr. Zitter’s book, “Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life” (2017), describes her evolution from a doctor focused on extending life at all costs to one more patient-centered and humanistic. And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    29 min

  8. 10 MAR

    Medicine in the Cheese: Advocacy, Social Media, and the Hidden Curriculum of Training

    n this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Frances Mei sits down with urology resident and social media creator Maheetha Bharadwaj, MD—often known online as the internet’s favorite “dancing urologist.” What begins with viral TikToks and Kardashian-style medical skits quickly turns into a deeper conversation about advocacy, physician voice, and the hidden curriculum of medical training. Maheetha explains how humor and creativity can be used to deliver serious health education—what Frances Mei calls “putting the medicine in the cheese.” Together they explore: • How doctors can use social media to educate patients • The power of visibility for women and minorities in surgical specialties • Why medicine’s hidden curriculum—not anatomy or pathophysiology—is often what breaks trainees • Advocacy burnout and how physicians stay engaged without losing hope • Why collaboration—not competition—may be the future of medicine Maheetha also shares how her work now extends beyond Instagram and TikTok to state and national policy advocacy, speaking directly with legislators about issues affecting patient care. This conversation is about creativity, courage, and the evolving role of physicians in public life—and why the next generation of doctors may change medicine by speaking out. Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD Guest: Maheetha Bharadwaj, MD Connect with Maheetha: @dancing_uro_doc https://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/maheetha-bharadwaj-md Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective Follow Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd And subscribe to ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩ on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.

    43 min
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About

A raw, reality-style podcast following Dr. Frances Mei Hardin’s final months as a surgeon and her bold leap into the unknown. Through solo episodes and unfiltered guest convos, it captures the chaos, clarity, and courage of walking away from a “dream career” to choose something better. For high-achievers, burnt-out professionals, and anyone ready to rewrite the rules - this isn’t just a show. It’s a permission slip. Find more info about Surgeon, Interrupted and other shows on the Hippocratic Collective at hippocratic-collective.com

Information

  • Creator
    Hippocratic Collective
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Hippocratic Collective
  • Show Website
    Surgeon, Interrupted

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