You did the heavy lifting to become a doctor. The sleepless nights in medical school, the long hours of residency, the personal sacrifices to bring your dream to fruition. However, even at the pinnacle of this success, the little voice in the back of your head refuses to relent, ‘you don’t belong, you’re a fraud, how long before they find you out?’ Where does this voice come from? Why do I feel this way? Do my colleagues struggle with these thoughts? On this episode of Prosperous Doc, we welcome Dr. Gail Gazelle, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and impostor syndrome (https://www.gailgazelle.com/imposter-syndrome-anxiety/) among physicians. Dr. Gazelle examines the causes and symptoms of imposter syndrome, but also outlines her approach for overcoming these demons of self-doubt. Dr. Gazelle shares her personal experience of chancing upon mindfulness coaching and the benefits she reaped from the process, “[i]t helped me work with my inner workings, getting to know them more. And I felt a sense of almost leapfrogging forward with some of the things that had held me back. So I was inspired to become a coach.” (2:49).  During her practice as a doctor and a coach, Dr. Gazelle encountered a myriad of doctors and physicians struggling with crippling self-doubt and feelings of fraud or not being good enough. Discovering this problem and no adequate existing solution, Dr. Gazelle set out to attack the problem herself. She defines imposter syndrome as “the belief that what we know is minuscule and what our peers know is massive…that it's only a matter of time until we're found out. And once we are, we will be the laughing stock of our institution.” (4:57) Doctors and physicians are far from unique in this experience, with seemingly unflappable public figures such as Michelle Obama and Jodie Foster revealing their own struggles with imposter syndrome. Dr. Gazelle stresses that in order to overcome imposter syndrome, you must realize you are not alone. “We feel so isolated and this voice of ‘you're an imposter, you're not as good as others’ leaves us feeling like it's just us. So, [it’s] very important that we can remind ourselves, this is not just me.” (15:14)  Dr. Gazelle also addresses the connection between impostor syndrome, resilience, and COVID-19. Learn more about these topics in her book Everyday Resilience (https://www.gailgazelle.com/resilience-book/).   Financial Wellness TipThis episodes’ Financial Wellness Tip encourages physicians to always thoughtfully consider the factors involved in lucrative investments before committing. While there’s nothing wrong with dreaming of an early retirement or having alternative streams of income, these are a few factors to consider first: While you often hear the success stories, don’t forget the far more frequent failed ventures that set families back and erase years of hard work. There are prudent opportunities to consider, such as buying into a surgery center (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/buying-into-a-surgery-center) that still come with risks Always onsider discussing your investment strategy and buy-in opportunities with an experienced financial professional.   To learn more about Dr. Gail Gazelle visit her LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailgazelle/) @GailGazelleMD Want to know more about about investing in a surgical center? Visit The Pros & Cons of a Surgery Center (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/pros-and-cons-surgery-center). The Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at www.sdtplanning.com. You can also connect...

White Coat Wellness

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Medicine with Dr. Gail Gazelle

Shame and guilt are common emotions faced by health care providers when dealing with a malpractice lawsuit. These struggles intensify when physicians hear phrases such as “don’t talk to anyone about this” from their lawyers, leading them to feel isolated, depressed, or anxious. Today’s guest discovered an unusual way of combatting some of these stressful emotions: reading. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, our host Shane Tenny is joined by Dr. Stacia Dearmin, a pediatric physician who faced an unfortunate patient outcome. In 2012, Dr. Dearmin checked on a young woman in the emergency department and, after her examination, concluded the best course of action was to send her home to finish recovering. The next day Dr. Dearmin found out the young woman had been admitted to the ICU. The young woman had suffered a cardiac arrest and stopped breathing; Dr. Dearmin knew the potential outcomes for this patient were grim. She was devastated, “I began to question what, if any responsibility I had for her death. I began to question my competence as a physician. I felt ashamed, I felt guilty, I grieved her death, I grieved my own sense of myself as a competent physician, and really struggled with these difficult feelings for much longer than I think I might have anticipated. I really didn't know how to understand the experience I was going through.” (5:32) A year later, Dr. Dearmin herself, was facing medical malpractice litigation. While the verdict was unanimously in her favor, prevailing in the lawsuit did little to ease the stress of the ordeal. “I felt critical of myself that I wasn't shaking it off, and that caused me to question even further, ‘do I belong in this profession?’ I see now that all that emotion is actually very closely tied to how seriously we take our work.” (10:39) During her struggle, Dr. Dearmin found comfort in the essay To Err is Human (https://www.thrivephysician.com/blog/2018/4/19/albert-wu-and-me-on-becoming-a-second-victim), by Dr. Albert Wu. Dr. Wu “identifies the victim as a physician or other healer who has injured themselves when something bad happens or nearly happens to a patient and that physician has made or fears that they've made a mistake.” This essay was powerful for Dr. Dearmin because it described the emotional experience she was having. She discovered she was not alone. “Oh, that's me. I'm not weak. I'm not badly suited to medicine. I'm reflective, and we don't want the reflective people to all abandon medicine." (11:19) The works of authors Brené Brown and Sidney Dekker also provided Dr. Dearmin a sense of peace. In their books she found words that allowed her to name her experience. “[I]t is powerful to have a vocabulary for these experiences because if I'm able to name my experience, just like Dr. Wu was able to name my experience, you realize, ‘oh, I'm not so alone in this. This is actually commonplace.” (17:02) Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s Financial Wellness Tip focuses on physicians’ and dentists’ desire to purchase homes after finishing school. Will Koster, CFP®, recommends three often under-discussed factors when buying a house, before making a hasty purchase: Hidden costs. The maintenance on a house can be sneaky expensive. Paying 6% of the sales price for a realtor to help you sell your house can often be a wise investment in order to save time, hassle, and to get you a higher price for your home. Lack of diversification. Oftentimes when a young person buys a house, it immediately becomes the overwhelming majority of their assets. (19:55) For more information on Dr. Stacia Dearmin or to view her resources and support for physicians facing malpractice litigation, visit thrivephysician.com (https://www.thrivephysician.com/) If you enjoyed this episode of Prosperous Doc, you might also like Finding Freedom and Balance as a Locum Tenens Doc, with Dr. Nii Darko (https://www.sdtplanning.com/podcasts/finding-freedom-and-balance-as-a-locum-tenens-doc) Prosperous...

Medical Malpractice: How to Thrive After Litigation, with Dr. Stacia Dearmin

In the modern digital world, we’re all accustomed to having our personal information online. From our ID numbers, credit cards, birth certificates, cellphone numbers, to, in the case of a doctor, the MD at the end of your name, whether you completed a residency or board certification, or have a license to practice medicine. When our credentials are in the hands of a third party, we can unknowingly set ourselves up for fraud, waste, and abuse. On this episode of Prosperous Doc, we welcome Dr. Leah Houston, a Locum Tenens doctor who faced the stressful ordeal of having her physician identity stolen and abused. After pursuing litigation to resolve the matter, Dr. Leah Houston asked herself, “How many people is this happening to every day who haven’t left the state? How many people is this happening to who are just working in a hospital, not even knowing that their professional brand and their credentials are being used on patients that they don’t even know about?” (5:52) As a result of this ordeal, Dr. Houston became curious about stolen identity and fraud and began to investigate, discovering (https://sovrin.org/faq/what-is-self-sovereign-identity/). Self – as in, it’s yours, sovereign - owned and controlled by you, identity, “it defines who you are digitally.” (7:47) Understanding how powerful this resource could be, Dr. Houston founded HPEC (Humanitarian Physicians Empowerment Community), a software service where all the information regarding both doctor and patient is stored; this way, if a person goes to a clinic, they provide their doctor with their personal data without having to go through the tedious process of document transactions. This ensures all of your information is in your control. “We’re creating a decentralized network of physician services, where all of the physicians’ specialists can come together, can own their identity, own their right to work, kick out the third parties who are not only lacking value, but essentially are surveilling and capitalizing off of our practice and suffering of our patients really is what’s going on. And we can restore autonomy and trust and privacy to the doctor, patient relationship again, that’s what this is about.” While the infrastructure of the medical industrial complex is resistant to change, Dr. Houston believes there is hope in this new technology to fix the system. (13:29) Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s Financial Wellness Tip focuses on the student loan arena. Ever since the CARES Act (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares) suspended payments in late March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic, many question what their payments should be. Here are a few things you can do to help your case: (1) obtain a copy of your payment history; (2) be sure to recertify your income and submit your employment certification form at least annually, or whenever you switch employers; and (3) be sure to find a source for up to date information, whether that’s your loan servicer, a conventional news outlet, or a trusted advisor who specializes in student loans. (16:30) For more information on Dr. Leah Houston’s organization HPEC, visit Twitter (https://twitter.com/LeahHoustonMD). Want to find out your student debt game plan? Take our Student Loan Quiz (http://sdtplanning.com/student-loan-quiz) and figure out the best student loan repayment option for you.   Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (mailto:atshane@whitecoatwell.com) or on Twitter. CRN202209-270893

How Blockchain Technology Can Improve Physician Credentialing With Dr. Leah Houston

You accepted a position at a new practice, you like your colleagues, and the work is fulfilling; everything is going great. However, before very long, the veil starts to come off; maybe this isn’t the perfect position you thought it was? What do you do now? How do you get out of your contact? What are your options? Dr. Jason Goebel, known in some circles as the Godfather of Contract Negotiations, found himself in a similar situation. On this episode of Prosperous Doc, our host Shane Tenny speaks with Dr. Goebel about his experience navigating various employment contracts throughout his career. Because employment contracts are often drafted by employers and presented to physicians as standard contracts, physicians can feel compelled to sign documents they may not fully understand. Dr. Goebel stresses that you should read through your contract multiple times, highlighting questions and areas of particular concern (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/2019/06/10/dental-associates-red-flags-in-an-employment-agreement). Dr. Goebel also recommends negotiating individual terms in the contract. Employers are generally amenable to modifying terms if you present a rational reason. (26:01) If physicians don’t understand or are uncomfortable with the review process, Dr. Goebel urges them to consider hiring an attorney to review their employment contracts (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/physician-employee-contract-agreements). Experienced employment attorneys can help you understand legal jargon and suggest contract modifications based on your individual circumstances. Dr. Goebel also recommends paying special attention to your bailout plan. What happens if you choose to leave? How enforceable is the non-compete agreement? “Does this contract allow you to do what your plan B would be if you have to get out of the contract?” (40:59) “That's probably more important than anything that's actually in the contract because if you get into an agreement and you either can't get out of it, or if you get out of it, you get crucified trying to get out of it and you can no longer provide for your family, then the contract's worthless.” (25:05) Ready to take your wellness game to the next level? Subscribe to our Prosperous Doc newsletter HERE (https://www.sdtplanning.com/subscribe-podcast). Like this interview with Dr. Goebel? Check out our episode (https://www.sdtplanning.com/podcasts/episode-6) Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (mailto:shane@whitecoatwell.com) or on Twitter. CRN202208-270202

How to Become a Solid Employee Contract Negotiator, with Dr. Jason Goebel

You go through years of medical school, residency, and training, focused on one goal – to finally become a doctor. But what happens when after everything you’ve been through, you feel like being a doctor isn’t your calling anymore? That you don’t feel the same fire or passion as you did on your first day of medical school? Are you confined to the medical industry or are there more paths available? In this episode of Prosperous Doc, host Shane Tenny speaks with Michelle Mudge-Riley, a.k.a. The Doctor’s Doctor (https://www.phphysicians.com/), about her experience leaving clinical practice and how she’s helping other doctors do the same. She shares her story of leaving medicine and created a business by helping other doctors who’ve been through similar situations. A number of factors, both internal and external, can leave clinicians feeling like a failure for wanting to leave medicine. Because medicine requires a laser focus, doctors often fail to realize that there are a multitude of options available for people with their education and training. (9:25) She says, “Once you realize what's out there, you then realize how much more is out there.” (10:00) Not all doctors Michelle works with want to leave medicine, some are simply burned out and seeking change or supplemental non-clinical work. With that in mind, she shares some of the key indicators she uses to help doctors discern the right path for them. Michelle says “the most important thing is to hear their story and to talk with them and to provide a safe place for them to talk things out, because ultimately at the end of the day, each person sort of knows which path they need to take.” (15:07) Not everyone needs or wants to completely transition out of medicine – they just need to understand that other avenues exist and are available to them. (27:00) Michelle provides closing advise for anyone feeling lost in their career and considering leaving medicine, “there's no shame in looking at what's out there, what the options are. You don't have to make any commitments. But, the biggest and most important thing is,: don't lose confidence in yourself and you're not a failure.” (28:42) For more information on Michelle and her work, check out the NEXT Conference (https://www.phphysicians.com/conferences-and-workshops). Financial Wellness TipIn this episode’s financial wellness tip, Will Koster discusses insurance as part of your financial foundation. It is imperative that you review your policies frequently to determine if they are still adequate for your current needs. Your home, life, and disability insurance, for instance, may not be sufficient compared to when you first purchased them early in your career. Re-evaluate them and make sure they’re in order so that the foundation of your financial plan continues to be stable and strong. To learn more check out our blog post Insurance Planning for the Good and the Bad. (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/2018/11/26/insurance-planning-for-the-good-and-the-bad) Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny). CRN202208-269481

Non-Clinical Career Options with the Doctor's Doctor, Michelle Mudge-Riley

Loneliness and relationship troubles are common obstacles faced by medical students. These struggles are intensified for students during testing and test preparations, but the effects on family members can be severe as well, including loneliness, financial concerns, and extended partner separation. Today’s guest discovered an unusual way of combatting some of these obstacles: podcasting. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, our host Shane Tenny is joined by Lara McElderry, an English teacher who is married to a physician. After teaching children for several years, Lara chose to put her career on hold to support her husband as he pursued a medical career. Lara discusses the number of times she had to move for her husband and the toll that took on her; moving for medical school, for residency training, and then for an attending position (8:03), not to mention the debt they incurred in the process. But, most importantly, Lara tells us how she overcame the low points during this ordeal, by finding something she connected with that also resonated with other people, her podcast. “[A] part of it has been embracing a new identity but still keeping those talents and interests that I had and finding new ways to use them. [I always remind people] “your life may not look like you thought it would, but that doesn’t mean that your strengths have changed. You just have to find new and creative ways to use the strengths that you’ve been blessed with.” (11:57) Lara McElderry has found a way to connect with and help people that are facing similar obstacles, not as a professional marriage counselor, or as a therapist, but as a shoulder for people with nowhere to turn. While physician suicide is a commonly discussed issue, Lara highlights the alarming suicide rate of women married to male physicians. Coupled with the pressure of the lavish public expectations of a physician’s lifestyle, Lara believes this increased risk can be attributed to feelings of isolation and loneliness, feeling like they’re not contributing, and feeling like they’re second fiddle to their physician husband. (21:50) For Lara, discovering creative and productive spaces can help overcome stressful situations and loneliness; she stresses how common it is to face such struggles when married to a physician. To learn more about overcoming the struggles facing physician spouses or to contact Lara, visit her website (https://marriedtodoctors.com/). Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s financial wellness tip focuses on estate planning and the importance of investing in an experienced attorney. With a DIY approach or an inexperienced attorney, you run the risk of your estate documents being prepared improperly, leaving your children and loved ones to face the consequences. Always remember to make sure you find an attorney that specializes in estate planning. Another important tip to consider is to double-check your beneficiary designations on accounts and policies, something you can do without spending a penny on an attorney. Ready to take your wellness game to the next level? Subscribe to our Prosperous Doc newsletter HERE (https://www.sdtplanning.com/subscribe-podcast). Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentists to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentists in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (http://www.sdtplanning.com). You can also connect with our host, Shane Tenny, CFP at shane@whitecoatwell.com or on Twitter. ﻿CRN202207-268824

How Podcasting Saved My Marriage, with Lara McElderry

It’s not uncommon to see doctors whose lives revolve around their medical careers, especially those who are practicing a demanding subspecialty. These doctors have a tendency to define their lives through their profession, and, absent this role, would lose their sense of identity. However, being in ‘career mode’ 24/7 can be detrimental to your physical and emotional well-being. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, host Shane Tenny speaks to cardiac surgeon Heart To Beat: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity―The Heart Way (https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Beat-Inspiring-Overcoming-Adversity_The/dp/1950892352) . (5:26) Dr. Lima shares the story of his journey to becoming a doctor through HEART values – hard word, entrepreneurship, aligned, relentless, and thoughtfulness. (6:24) With his father as his inspiration, Dr. Lima developed an attitude of persistence that has positively influenced his career. They go on to discuss the concept of failure and examine coping mechanism for dealing with failure in the medical industry. As surgeons and other medical professionals know, no matter how well you follow the process, if everything is by the book, mistakes are unavoidable. While admitting he understands how difficult it is, Dr. Lima encourages doctors not to dwell on their errors, to persevere in the face of adversity. (13:54) He also talks about complacency as being the enemy of success, and that you owe it to your patients to improve as a physician. (17:54) There is always new technology, literature, techniques, and devices you learn in the industry, even outside your field, that can help you become a better doctor. (19:00) Dr. Lima provides two tips on how to make the most of the limited doctor-patient times afforded to us, given the current COVID-19 crisis: limit the amount of jargon by breaking things down into simple language and try to involve the family in the discussion. During difficult conversations, patients may struggle to process the information they’re hearing. (8:56) Above all, let patients know how much you care. For Dr. Lima, “it’s a calling, not a job.” (11:27) Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s financial wellness tip centers on estate planning and how imperative it is to a comprehensive financial plan. Drawing from his personal experience of losing his father (https://www.sdtplanning.com/will-koster-bio) in high school, Will Koster stresses the necessity of mapping your estate plan with your attorney and executing the requisite documents. Estate planning isn’t a luxury for the affluent, it’s an indispensable tool for providing peace of mind and avoiding consequences like family infighting and exorbitant tax bills. Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) . CRN202207-268022

HEART-ificial Intelligence and Physician-Patient Relationships with Dr. Brian Lima

There’s a common misconception that there’s only one path you can take in the medical field: graduate from med school, finish residency, get a job at a hospital, and save lives until the end. While plenty who have chosen this path are contented, there are others that do not share the same enthusiasm. Don’t worry if you’re part of the latter group! There is a vast world outside of medicine for you to explore while continuing to practice your profession. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, trauma surgeon Dr. Nii Darko and host Shane Tenny explore the possibility of achieving a flexible medical career and becoming a 1099 employee. (7:17) Dr. Nii shares his personal experience with locum tenens and the pros and cons of this type of employment. Not only does this option expose you to different hospital systems, cultures, and doctors, it helps you understand your self-worth in terms of wages for your services. (12:19) Additionally, he believes that doctors stand to gain considerable knowledge from professionals in other industries, one of the founding ideals of the Docs Outside the Box (https://www.drniidarko.com/podcast/) podcast. (22:11) He also provides insight into physician contracts and how to retain control over contract negotiations, even as a young doctor. Two things to keep in mind, have a clear understanding of the contract terms and ensure you build in an exit plan. (17:15) For Dr. Nii, there’s no such thing as balance. It’s all about trying to be the best person you can be and being kind to those around you. (26:50) Wellness is also about having control, being intentional about decisions that will affect your life. (32:44) Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s financial wellness tip encourages physicians to think about refinancing student loans (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/learn-how-refinancing-student-loans-work-with-this-comprehensive-guide) . According to Will Koster, you have control over the terms of the loan and whether you choose a variable or fixed interest rate, among other options. However, before you make any decision, first assess your situation. Make sure that items such as your minimum monthly payment will fit your current financial state and will not become cumbersome in the future. Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentists to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentists in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) . CRN202206-267362

Finding Freedom and Balance as a Locum Tenens Doc with Nii Darko, MD

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great strain on the public health system, affecting not only the lives of patients and families who have contracted the virus, but also to healthcare providers. The additional precautions required of healthcare workers (https://www.sdtplanning.com/financial-survival-guide-landing-page) have become more exhausting, stressful, and intense, possibly contributing to the psychological burden and burnout. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, our host Shane Tenny is joined by Dr. Milad Memari, an Internal Medicine resident from the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Milad is himself a COVID-19 survivor and shares his firsthand experience in fighting the virus and treating patients as well. (4:09) He also discusses the research project (https://journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra/article/view/2015/193545493) that he and his colleagues conducted in an effort to contribute to the ongoing literature on physician wellness and well-being. He took a look at the types of activities that residents, in particular, do in their free time. (14:37) Whether they engaged in activities in isolation or with their social groups, the findings pointed to positive effects on satisfaction and happiness. (20:01) He plans to continue this research as he pursues a career in academic medicine. Dr. Milad believes that these types of studies can give insights to hospital systems in terms of initiatives, like an individualized approach to working hours, that promote physician wellness. (24:56) Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s Financial Wellness Tip revolves around decisions that can affect your overall personal finances. Financial choices (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/how-to-plan-financially-6-money-decisions) are interconnected, no matter how big or small they are. Even seemingly mundane decisions can greatly impact your long-term financial well-being. Will Koster shares the six components of an individual’s finances and gives a real-life example of how they affect each one. Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) . CRN202206-266405

Taking Care of Doctors During COVID-19 and Beyond

Burnout, physician suicide, and other mental illnesses are issues the medical community continues to grapple with. Although there is greater awareness and recognition of these mental health problems than in the past, doctors are still find themselves afraid to speak up and seek help. (4:05) Despite these prevalent fears, some medical professionals are stepping up to provide resources to help each other out. In this episode of Prosperous Doc, our host Shane Tenny is joined by family medicine physician and founder of Physician Coaching Alliance, Dr. Errin Weisman. Dr. Weisman explores the benefits of physician coaching for coping with the unique issues facing medical practitioners today. She shares her journey to becoming a coach and how difficult days fueled her passion for coaching. (1:47) She goes on to examine the surge in demand for professional and life coaching in the medical industry, as more discover this as a valuable tool. Dr. Weisman also touches on several challenges common to the medical profession, including physician burnout, physical and career suicide (13:00), money dynamics in marriages, and other financial struggles. (20:27) Her solution, when things pile up and get overwhelming, is to take things one step at a time, tackle and focus on one issue first. (16:12) Some of the key takeaways that Dr. Weisman wants physicians to understand is that you are not alone in your problems, you are not stuck, and there is hope that things are going to change. (17:07) Remind yourself that you are okay, even when it feels like the current situation is not. It’s never a sign of weakness to reach out and ask for help, so please reach out for help when you need it. (31:39) To learn more visit the LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/errin-weisman-do-77a890103/) . Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s Financial Wellness Tip is all about the benefits of automatic savings. Implementing this method of savings in your plan will change the way you look at finances. While manually maintaining savings requires discipline to execute, automatic deductions to your monthly income will become an expense. Your budget and lifestyle will then fall in to place as a result. Will Koster emphasizes that you should save first, then make it automatic and mindless so you can start building your savings snowball. Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) . Compliance Code: CRN202206-265938

The Impact of Physician Coaching with Errin Weisman, MD

Several unique challenges are facing the medical profession today that often go unnoticed or unspoken. Thankfully, there are organizations like the Physicians Foundation (https://physiciansfoundation.org/) who are helping shed light on these issues, bringing them to the forefront and sparking conversations in the community. The intention of these discussions is to generate solutions to promote physician wellness and improve the healthcare industry at large. Dr. Gary Price, president of the Physicians Foundation and board-certified plastic surgeon, joins host Shane Tenny for this episode of Prosperous Doc to provide insight on vital issues in the medical community. He talks about the work done by the foundation in terms of projects and programs. (07:33) These include working with relevant organizations and developing the Vital Signs Campaign (https://physiciansfoundation.org/physician-wellbeing/vitalsigns/) to raise awareness and provide tools to combat physician suicide. (10:56) He shares how more positive steps are being taken by those in large healthcare systems to address physician burnout and suicide. (12:56) These grave problems are getting more attention now, which is a welcome change from lip service in the past. Dr. Price also explores the stigmatization of mental illness in the healthcare field. Stigmatizing mental illness leads to physicians being less likely to disclose such concerns (15:53), which can increase the danger to both doctors and their patients. He also touches on the benefits and disadvantages of electronic medical records (21:03), physician staffing and shortage (28:11), and the financial burden (https://www.sdtplanning.com/financial-survival-guide-landing-page) of becoming a physician. (32:26) Although there are frustrations in the industry, what motivates doctors is the opportunity to help people. It’s what drives Dr. Price and the foundation to help make the physician environment less toxic and more rewarding, which will, in turn, help them deliver better care for their patients. (30:40) For more information about the Physicians Foundation’s Vital Signs Campaign, you can visit https://physiciansfoundation.org/physician-wellbeing/vitalsigns/ (https://physiciansfoundation.org/physician-wellbeing/vitalsigns/) . Financial Wellness TipThis episode’s Financial Wellness Tip emphasizes the importance of having an emergency fund (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/financial-planning-pyramid-of-priorities) , especially during economic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Having liquid cash helps ensure that your personal finances are in order, even if the greater economy is not. It’s recommended that your emergency fund is equivalent to 3 to 6 months of living expenses. You can also make adjustments in your current expenses to stretch the emergency fund longer. Taking advantage of forbearance options on loans and discontinuing automatic investments are some things that you can do so you won’t struggle financially during a crisis. And once things are back to normal, slowly rebuild your savings for the next rainy day. Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentists to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentists in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) . Compliance Code: CRN202205-265557

How the Physicians Foundation is Combatting Mental Illness in Healthcare with Dr. Gary Price

Despite the many advancements made in the field of medicine, there still seems to be a problem that has persisted over the years with minimal progress. It’s an issue that a lot of physicians aren’t aware of, but has greatly impacted the careers of their female colleagues – gender inequality. The healthcare industry seems to be stacked against women, where discrepancies exist and opportunities are not as available. Implicit and unconscious biases that contribute to this problem. 03:26 This week’s guest, SoMeDocs (https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/) . Dr. Jain shares her personal stories on the challenges she has faced from medical school, to residency and as a practicing doctor that she mistakenly thought were unique to herself. 05:50 She also discusses the direct correlation between improvement of women’s healthcare as more female doctors advance as leaders in the field. 11:52 This is why it’s important that support is given to those who choose to go into medicine and are faced with particular concerns like maternity leave policies. 10:43 She also dives into social media and how it can be leveraged by women doctors. 24:00 In addition to educating and correcting a lot of misinformation that is rampant online, it can also be used in networking, collaborating and mentoring. It’s also a great way to advance your career as you can brand yourself and share research and studies that you have been a part of. 30:09 Dr. Jain (https://twitter.com/shikhajainmd) believes that by using social media to also spread awareness with regards the experiences of women in business will we be able to find interventions and solutions that can improve the healthcare industry overall. White Coat WisdomThis episode’s White Coat Wisdom is all about focusing on your own personal economy (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/focus-on-your-economy-during-crisis) rather than on the economy of the state or country you’re currently in. The past few weeks have put the world in a state of fear and confusion because of the COVID-19 pandemic, shaking our economic certainty and prosperity. While it’s okay to feel fear and panic, you can use this time to really look into your personal finances, so you can put your mind at ease. Take a look at the cash you have on-hand. Make a list of your typical spending and saving activities that you can temporarily put on hold so you can improve your cashflow. Identify any savings, investments or lines of credit that can help you as well, just in case you’ll need them. Even with the sense of uncertainty, it’s important to remember that we have already overcome great crises in the past, and we can certainly do that this time around. White Coat AchievementDespite experiencing trauma at a young age, this week’s White Coat Achievement awardee, has used this to become the passionate surgeon that he is today. Dr. Mike Malla, Chief Trauma Resident at Atrium Health, is able to empathize with those who are going through trauma, and understand the effects it may have on the loved ones surrounding the patient. He wrote an essay (https://atriumhealth.org/dailydose/2020/02/05/out-of-blood?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=organic_social) that was read at the 2020 Annual Scientific Assembly of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Traumas, impressing attendees and moving them to tears. The White Coat Wellness podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) .

Women in Medicine and How Social Media Can Be Used in Healthcare

One of the biggest and major financial decisions that doctors and dentists face in their lives involves purchasing, building or renovating their own homes. A lot of preparation, time and money is involved in this whole process and it should not be taken lightly. But for those who have just finished medical school, plagued by student loans and supported only by a not-so-high wage, is it even possible to for a resident or those still undergoing training to purchase a house of their own? This episode’s guest is Jason Watkins from SunTrust Mortgage (https://www.suntrust.com/home-mortgages) , a company that offers a unique lending option that can help medical practitioners with purchasing homes and real estate. According to Watkins, their physician loan involves flexible financing with no down payment or mortgage insurance, and can be approved based on future income. This means it’s possible for practitioners who are just starting out to purchase a home. (03:56) He also discusses other loans that doctors can avail, including the jumbo loan, construction loan and renovation loan. (07:35) He also dives deep into the different aspects of mortgage and lending, such as insurance, rates, credit scores and the role that student loans play in the approval of a loan. (27:16) He gives insight into the process of applying for a doctor’s loan, what lending companies look into and how a practitioner can get started if they’re looking to buying a house as well. Watkins stresses the need for physicians and dentists to consult with a financial planner and mortgage broker before making the jump, as they will be more equipped to know what type of lending program will suit your needs and financial situation.  This episode’s White Coat Wisdom is all about financial habits. Habits are practices or tendencies that are hard to give up, as they have either stuck with you since you were a child or that you had acquired as you were growing up. These habits, whether conscious or subconscious, can have great impacts on your financial life. It’s important for you to have an awareness of these, especially the ones that can jeopardize your future. For instance, check whether you have the harmful habit of keeping up with the Joneses, or keeping disjointed bank accounts with your spouse. If you are mindful of these habits, then it’s easier for you to make better and sound decisions. This lets you stay on the path towards achieving your financial goals.   TikTok is taking the internet by storm, which has presented an opportunity to this week’s White Coat Achievement awardee. Dr. Danielle Jones, or Mama Doctor Jones (https://www.tiktok.com/@mamadoctorjones) , is an OB-GYN who is gaining popularity on the platform, with 184,000 followers as of writing. She creates these short, entertaining videos to provide sex and health education. One of which, a video that talks about Plan B, has gained 9.8 million views in under 48 hours. Her goal is to address misinformation and reach out to kids and teenagers who are constantly looking for health answers on the internet. The White Coat Wellness podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) .

Real Estate Loans and Other Lending Options for Physicians with Jason Watkins

Being a doctor and practicing medicine is a noble profession. And when you ask a physician or medical practitioner, you used to hear about passion as the main reason why one should pursue this path in the first place. But sadly, the excitement and enthusiasm that is often associated with the practice is being heard less often. There is a lack of joy in the profession that’s prevalent among many doctors today, caused by burnout, among other things. Additionally, more practitioners moving out of an independent practice into one where they’re employed in a corporate organization. With this shift, can CEOs and the C-suite help address burnout and help the physicians working for their company? For this episode’s guest, SE Healthcare (https://sehc.com/) and law firm Saxton & Stump. He talks about the many trends he’s seen in medicine over the years and how the changing working environments are contributing to the issue of burnout. And because more are choosing to become salaried doctors, these new compensation systems are further exacerbating feelings of frustration, which can lead to being burned out. (13:31) He also discusses how fostering open communication between physicians and the organization is necessary as there’s a gap between how corporate management is done versus the training doctors receive in medical school. (20:50) This leads to medical practitioners feeling overworked, undervalued and underappreciated as corporations focus more on providing greater access to patients. For Dr. Mosser, the dialogue between the two parties have to improve and that constructive conversation has to take place. (21:51) The C suite must let their doctors know that they are listening to the doctors and that measures are being put into place to make sure that the problem is being taken cared of. He suggests implementing programs, systems and even incentives that can lift the physicians’ spirits and bring back the joy in medicine. It may take some time and effort, but it will be worth it in the long run. (33:29) At the end of the day, health corporations won’t be successful and effective if their doctors are burned out and unhappy. (23:57)  This week’s White Coat Wisdom tackles goal-setting (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/video-benefits-of-goal-planning?hsLang=en) and how this is the first step to achieving any type of goal, particularly financial goals. When you have goals in place, you’re setting priorities in terms of where you spend your money. It lets you be clear on whether you should throw your cash to a particular item or experience. You’ll also gain increased confidence in saying yes only if something will help you move towards your goal. You’ll be able to take ownership of your finances, which translates to more freedom in the long run. Dr. Quinn Capers is this week’s White Coat Achievement awardee for his transformative leadership in academic medicine. An interventional cardiologist, and professor of medicine and dean of faculty at the Ohio State Medical School, he focuses on uncovering implicit bias and reducing its effects in the admissions process in medical schools. In 2013, he introduced the implicit association test within the admissions examination at Ohio State Medical School. This particular test aimed to uncover hidden racial and gender biases that are prevalent not just among students, but in the administrators as well. He paved the way for the existence of more minorities in medicine. He loves sharing his insights on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DrQuinnCapers4/status/1223378842322178049?s=20) , along with other interests like his push-up hashtag challenge. The White Coat Wellness podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a...

How Health System Executives Can Address Physician Burnout with Dr. Kevin Mosser

Money is among the main causes of stress in a marriage. It’s a tough topic to talk about in many couples, whether you’re in the medical field or not. And the core issue isn’t money itself, but in how much you trust your partner when it comes to managing your finances. (01:39) One of the biggest problems that have affected couples is financial infidelity, wherein a spouse makes major money decisions in secrecy. If not addressed or prevented, this can have detrimental effects that impact a marriage. This episode’s guests are John and Joan, a couple who shares their story of struggling through financial infidelity to shed light on this issue. John is a physician who, although had the same goals in terms of money with his wife, made some secret decisions that have taken a toll on their finances and their marriage. John talks about intellectual restlessness and curiosity, something that is quite common in physicians and medical practitioners due to their line of work. (24:55) He says that while it’s good to know more about a certain topic like financial vehicles, it leads to gaining false confidence that can lead to making ill-advised decisions. (18:36) You tend to develop a blind spot on the risks, failing to see that the more risks present, the more opportunities there are for losses and failure. (22:48) To avoid creating this prison and being entrapped in an unfortunate financial situation, John says you should acknowledge the problem and stop the behavior before it’s too late. Come clean and be honest to your spouse, so you can find solutions together. It won’t be an easy and pleasant experience, but you have the power to change your situation. (41:51) Joan also believes that whoever is in charge of the financial decisions in the relationship must be more transparent, honest and open. It’s also good to listen to a third-party’s opinion to provide an objective point of view to help you and your spouse align your goals and act as a referee when necessary. (38:57) At the end of the day, living in secrecy in a relationship creates a huge mental burden. (41:01) In terms of finances, it’s always best to work in a more transparent way with your spouse and value your relationship more. This week’s White Coat Wisdom is dedicated to residents or fellows who are transitioning (https://www.sdtplanning.com/blog/2019/05/06/hacks-for-physicians-transitioning-from-training-to-practice) from training to practice, or even attendings who are thinking of changing practices. This period can be a stressful time, but you can certainly prepare for it. First, make sure that you save cash so you don’t have to rely on loans or your credit card for expenses that you will incur. In this week’s White Coat Achievement segment, we honor Dr. Jeffrey Smith, an orthopedic traumatologist and physician wellness advocate from San Diego, California. He is the founder of Surgeon Masters (https://surgeonmasters.com/) , a company that’s dedicated to promoting wellness and raising relevant issues in the surgeon community. Besides helping create successful and sustainable medical practices, Surgeon Masters is also focused on treating physician burnout and providing strategies to prevent this from occurring. He also hosts the Wellness Edge (https://surgeonmasters.com/wellnessedge) , a wellness and resilience training program. The White Coat Wellness podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at (https://twitter.com/Shane_Tenny) Additionally, you should know about any possible gaps in your health insurance and what your options are. Ask which benefits you...

Dealing with Financial Infidelity in a Marriage

White Coat Wellness is a podcast for physicians and dentists that will educate, inspire, and encourage you to practice personal and professional wellness. Episodes feature discussions with physicians, dentists, and other leaders in the medical and dental world to bring you one step closer to making the right decisions to achieve your goals. If you would like to know more about the White Coat Wellness show, find show notes, and learn more about our host, Shane Tenny, visit whitecoatwell.com.

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White Coat Wellness

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