Earlier this year I had the distinct pleasure of being a guest on Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque’s podcast, The Worthy Physician.
Dr. Shah-Haque is an internal medicine physician in rural Kansas. Her podcast is devoted to addressing physician burnout, among many other topics.
Our conversation embraced a number of subjects, particularly the meaning of art in my medical career.
We meandered off the beaten trail to discuss…
🧩 Detours as showing us the best of life
🧩 Advocacy and service to patients and colleagues in a variety of supportive roles
🧩 Moral injury—healing through art, daily walks, and rediscovering purpose
🧩 Staying true to oneself while also maintaining a medical practice rooted in authenticity and meaning
🧩 Listening—to ourselves, our souls, our passions, our patients … and listening to pay attention
Enjoy the YouTube replay here: The Art of Healing: How Creativity Shapes Medicine with Dr. Baumgaertel.
(Note: Automated editing has removed all the natural pauses, making speech fast and choppy, but you’ll be able to get through one hour in 27 minutes!)
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Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD is an internal medicine physician who provides telemedicine medical consultation and advocacy for patients in WA state, and professional career pivot navigation support for physicians in the US. Find her at myMDadvocate.
Her book, The Menopause Menu, is an all-in-one giftbook, medical guide and recipe book for navigating menopause.