I am honing my storytelling craft after thirty years as an emergency physician, mother, and observer of the human condition. I will be creating new entries and pulling in some of my published works. Thanks for coming along.

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After Emergency Medicine…

#84 Can we Save the Doctors?
Dr. Joan Naidorf Dr. Joan Naidorf

#84 Can we Save the Doctors?

I review Dr. Adam Hill's memoir that bravely recounts his experience and treatment with depression and alcoholism as a medical student, resident and attending physician. Our profession has a tragic problem with suicide and we are not kind towards our own who seek treatment. This is a compelling memoir that, I hope, will encourage more people to seek treatment.

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#83 Growing up Black in Suburbia
Dr. Joan Naidorf Dr. Joan Naidorf

#83 Growing up Black in Suburbia

I share my review of Kiara Imani’s terrific book: Therapy Isn’t Just For White People. One chapter, that illustrated the poor treatment the author received in a local emergency department, spoke to me. We have got to do more to recognize bias and gaslighting.

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#82 Taking the Measure
Dr. Joan Naidorf Dr. Joan Naidorf

#82 Taking the Measure

The Measure by Nikki Erlick invites readers to think hard about how they want to spend this one precious life. Of course, she features an emergency physician, because this is how we roll.

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#81 Surviving Intern Night #1
Dr. Joan Naidorf Dr. Joan Naidorf

#81 Surviving Intern Night #1

I replaced one of these during the first night of my internship. You can do a lot of hard things with encouragement and curiosity. Here is a reflection on a very long and emotional night when I began my medical training.

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