Moms of Medicine

Alison Trainor
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Stories from the women physicians who have paved the way and those who are in the thick of it now. Hosted by Dr. Alison Trainor

  1. NOV 6

    55. Solo episode - going through chemotherapy

    Keywords cancer treatment, chemotherapy, motherhood, emotional support, personal journey, health challenges, parenting, medical experiences, resilience, community support Summary In this solo episode, Dr. Alison Trainor shares her personal journey through cancer treatment while balancing motherhood. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy, the impact of hair loss, and the support she received from friends and family. Alison reflects on the complexities of navigating her health while being a parent and the importance of community support during difficult times. Takeaways The transition from work to medical leave was emotionally challenging. Chemotherapy brought both physical and emotional struggles. Hair loss was a significant emotional hurdle during treatment. Support from friends and family was crucial during this journey. The experience of being a patient gave insight into patient care. Navigating treatment while pregnant added complexity to her situation. The emotional toll of scan results can be overwhelming. Community support, like meal trains, made a big difference. It's important to communicate openly about what support is needed. Finding joy in small moments with family helped cope with challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:28 Navigating Work and Cancer Diagnosis 05:41 Chemotherapy Regimen and Initial Experiences 12:27 Emotional and Physical Challenges of Treatment 16:03 Hair Loss and Its Impact 20:13 Adjusting to Public Perception and Normalcy 23:02 Additional Treatment Considerations and Reflections 26:20 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Illness 34:07 The Impact of Community Support 47:39 Finding Meaning in Difficult Times Support the show

    47 min

  2. OCT 10

    54. Catching up with Dr. Polly van den Berg

    Summary In this conversation, Ali and Polly reflect on the past year since their last chat, discussing personal growth, work-life balance, and the challenges of parenting. Polly shares her experiences with returning to work, navigating childcare, and the impact of illness on their family. They delve into the pressures of the medical profession, the importance of mental health support, and the benefits of couples therapy. The discussion also touches on family planning and the considerations that come with it, particularly in light of Polly's husband's health. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of parenting, relationships, and self-care. Takeaways Polly has experienced significant personal growth over the past year.Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial for well-being.Childcare can provide valuable socialization and learning opportunities for children.Illnesses in daycare can be challenging but are often part of the experience.The pressure to show up in the medical field can lead to neglecting personal health.Therapy and support systems have been vital for Polly's mental health journey.Communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship, especially during stressful times.Considering family size involves weighing personal desires against practical realities.The experience of parenting can evoke nostalgia and a desire for more children.It's important to discuss and normalize the challenges of postpartum mental health.Keywords parenting, mental health, work-life balance, childcare, couples therapy, family planning, postpartum anxiety, child development, daycare challenges, personal growth Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Growth and Change 02:45 Finding Balance in Work and Family Life 05:44 Navigating Childcare and Developmental Milestones 08:50 The Challenges of Illness in Daycare 11:29 The Pressure to Show Up in Medicine 14:20 Mental Health Journey and Support Systems 17:28 Couples Therapy and Communication 20:36 Considering Family Size and Future Plans Support the show

    41 min

  3. SEP 25

    53. Dr. Jenn Gates Nassar on doing pediatrics residency with young children, how being a mom impacts her work, what it's like being a pediatrician with the current misinformation, and her future career aspirations

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Jenn Gates-Nassar shares her journey as a pediatric resident, balancing the demands of her medical training with motherhood. She discusses her motivations for pursuing medicine, the challenges of being a resident with young children, and the emotional toll of caring for sick kids. Dr. Gates-Nassar also highlights the importance of advocacy in public health, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on long-term health, and the challenges posed by misinformation in healthcare. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on her aspirations for the future and the ongoing learning process in medicine. Takeaways Dr. Gates-Nassar is a second-year pediatric resident at Mount Sinai.She balances her demanding residency with being a mother to two young girls.Her journey into medicine was influenced by her family's public health background.She emphasizes the importance of reliable childcare for working parents.Guilt when away from her children but recognizes the need for stable caregivers.She discusses the emotional challenges of being a pediatric resident.Advocacy and public health are significant aspects of her career aspirations.Adverse childhood experiences can have lasting impacts on health outcomes.Misinformation in healthcare is a growing concern for pediatricians.Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Journey into Medicine 05:57 Balancing Family and Residency 09:00 Navigating Parenthood and Guilt 11:58 Career Aspirations in Pediatrics 15:12 Challenges in Pediatric Care 17:53 Addressing Systemic Barriers 21:05 Misinformation and Public Health Advocacy 27:29 Balancing Clinical Work and Personal Life 31:03 Navigating Parenthood and Medical Training 34:14 Advice for Future Parents in Medicine 38:06 Influences and Inspirations in Medicine 43:24 Experiences and Challenges in Residency 48:45 The Ongoing Journey of Learning in Medicine keywords pediatrics, residency, motherhood, public health, advocacy, work-life balance, adverse childhood experiences, healthcare challenges, physician insights, medical training Support the show

    46 min

  4. SEP 11

    52. Catching up with Dr. Lauren Puretz

    In this episode we catch up with Dr. Lauren Puretz from episode 33. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I would suggest listening to that episode first. In this episode we talk about: - How Lauren's practice has been doing since opening 8/2024. We last spoke when she was 2 months in and there have been some bumps in the road - How her running career has been going. Also, a few bumps. - Feeling a bit like she was in the hole and how she's been digging herself out - and so much more!  Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Lauren: - Instagram @Lauren1642 Support the show

    44 min

  5. AUG 28

    51. Dr. Janelle Nassim on life after her spontaneous coronary artery dissection and how it affects her views on motherhood and her career

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Janelle Nassim shares her journey as a dermatologist and a mother, detailing her experience with a life-altering heart attack caused by a coronary artery dissection (SCAD) shortly after the birth of her second child. She discusses the symptoms leading up to the event, her hospital experience, and the emotional and physical recovery process. Janelle reflects on the changes in her perspective towards life, motherhood, and work, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and accepting help from others. Time stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:52 Life as a Dermatologist and Mother 09:53 The Day of the Heart Attack 19:58 The Experience in the Hospital 24:30 Processing Trauma and Growth 24:30 Navigating the Hospital Experience 25:57 The Journey of Recovery 29:25 Reconnecting with Family 31:25 Shifting Perspectives on Parenting 31:53 Physical Recovery and Exercise 35:38 Emotional Grief and Acceptance 44:03 Work-Life Balance Post-Diagnosis 47:02 Current State: A Year Later Keywords dermatology, heart attack, SCAD, recovery, motherhood, emotional health, trauma, resilience, work-life balance, personal growth Support the show

    54 min

  6. AUG 14

    50. Dr. Tali Lando - pediatric ENT surgeon, mom of 3 and author of 2 books

    summary In this conversation, Dr. Tali Lando shares her journey as a pediatric ENT and a mother of three daughters. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding medical career with motherhood, the importance of support systems, and the evolution of parenting dynamics as children grow. Dr. Lando reflects on her experiences with burnout, the role of passion projects in rejuvenating her career, and the lessons learned from her journey through cancer treatment. She emphasizes the significance of honesty in parenting and the power of anecdotes in medicine, providing valuable insights for working parents in the medical field. In this conversation, Tali Lando shares her deeply personal journey through medical challenges, including her experience as a mother in the NICU and her battle with breast cancer. She discusses the emotional toll of these experiences, the impact on her family, and how writing became a therapeutic outlet. Tali also reflects on her return to work after treatment and the process of writing her upcoming book, 'Breathless,' which aims to provide insights from her medical career and personal experiences. takeaways Dr. Tali Lando is a pediatric ENT with a busy practice.She had her first child during her chief year of residency.Balancing motherhood and a demanding career is challenging but rewarding.Support systems play a crucial role in managing work and family life.Quality time with children is more important than quantity.The dynamics of parenting evolve as children grow older.Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals.Passion projects can rejuvenate a career and provide fulfillment.Experiences during cancer treatment inspired her writing.Honesty with children about career sacrifices fosters understanding. Tali's experience in the NICU highlighted the emotional toll on parents.The transition from being a doctor to a patient is profound and challenging.Writing became a therapeutic outlet for Tali during her cancer journey.The importance of family support during health crises cannot be overstated.Tali's father's glioblastoma diagnosis added another layer of complexity to her journey.Navigating treatment options for cancer can be overwhelming and confusing.The impact of cancer on family dynamics is significant and often heartbreaking.Tali's writing process was influenced by her personal experiences and desire to help others.Returning to work after treatment requires careful consideration of one's health.The upcoming book 'Breathless' aims to share valuable insights from Tali's medical career. keywords pediatric ENT, work-life balance, motherhood, residency, surgical training, parenting, career fulfillment, burnout, passion projects, breast cancer, medical challenges, NICU experience, cancer diagnosis, family dynamics, writing, coping mechanism, health, career, book release, personal journey ENT  Connect with Moms of Medicine: - Instagram @moms_of_medicine - Momsofmedicine@gmail.com Connect with Dr. Tali Lando: - Instagram @drtalilando - Preorder her upcoming book Breathless - Drtalilando.com Support the show

    1h 38m

  7. JUL 31

    49. Solo episode - everything leading up to starting cancer treatment

    Picking up where we left off from the last solo episode. This one goes into everything from initial diagnosis leading up to starting treatment. Thanks for listening Support the show

    1h 1m

  8. JUL 17

    48. Catching up with Dr. Kashi Goyal from episode 9

    keywords career transitions, parenting, work-life balance, family dynamics, health journey, personal experiences, professional choices, future planning, medical education, lung transplantation summary In this conversation, Ali and Kashi reconnect after two years to discuss Kashi's recent transition to faculty in lung transplantation, her family's dynamics, and the impact of Anika's health journey on their lives. They explore themes of work-life balance, career aspirations, and the emotional complexities of parenting, especially in light of past challenges. Kashi shares her insights on navigating uncertainty and the joy of expanding their family, while reflecting on the lessons learned from their experiences. takeaways Kashi has transitioned to faculty in lung transplantation after completing her fellowship.She emphasizes the importance of taking things year by year in her career and personal life.Kashi's husband has taken on a new role with a more stable schedule to support the family.Anika's health journey has profoundly impacted their family dynamics and future planning.Kashi is exploring her interests in medical education and research.She acknowledges the challenges of balancing clinical work with family time.Kashi reflects on the emotional weight of her past experiences and how they shape her present.The couple is excited about expanding their family and preparing for a new baby.Kashi shares the importance of setting anchors in her job search based on core values.They discuss the complexities of parenting and the joy of watching Anika thrive.Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting After Two Years 02:54 Navigating Career Transitions 05:57 Family Dynamics and Parenting 08:56 Reflections on Work-Life Balance 11:53 Career Goals and Aspirations 14:45 Impact of Personal Experiences on Professional Choices 17:40 Anika's Health Journey and Family Planning 20:48 Embracing Uncertainty and Future Possibilities 23:44 Preparing for a New Addition to the Family Support the show

    38 min
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5
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

Stories from the women physicians who have paved the way and those who are in the thick of it now. Hosted by Dr. Alison Trainor

Information

  • Creator
    Alison Trainor
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Moms of Medicine
  • Show Website
    Moms of Medicine

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