Dr. Betsy Dovec was one of the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country when she made a decision that shocked many of her colleagues: she walked away from a secure, high-paying hospital position to build her own practice and surgery center from the ground up.

In this episode of FEM, MD, Betsy shares the behind-the-scenes reality of launching Body by Bariatrics, navigating non-competes, securing a $12 million loan, building an ambulatory surgery center, and leading a growing healthcare business. She also discusses how GLP-1 medications are changing the bariatric landscape, why she believes traditional hospital-employed bariatric programs are facing major disruption, and what it takes to balance entrepreneurship, surgery, and motherhood.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a medical practice on your own terms, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on risk-taking, leadership, resilience, and creating a life that aligns with your ambitions.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Dovec

Connect with Betsy: @drdovec

https://bodybybariatrics.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

On this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Natalie Krane for a candid conversation about the surprising overlap between elite athletics and surgical training. From Division I soccer and career-ending injuries to residency culture, burnout, performance psychology, and personal wellness, they unpack the coping mechanisms that make high-achieving women successful — and the ways those same traits can quietly erode long-term wellbeing.

The two surgeons discuss restorative breathing in the operating room, microbreaks during surgery, the psychology of performance under pressure, protecting life outside the hospital, and why “even baddies get saddies.” They also reflect on ambition, retirement, identity outside medicine, and the realization that women are allowed to “take up more space” — in medicine and in life.

This episode is for every woman in medicine who has ever pushed through exhaustion, ignored her body’s signals, or wondered what it means to build a sustainable life alongside a meaningful career.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Natalie Krane

Connect with Natalie @drnataliekrane

https://drnataliekrane.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What happens when a long-term marriage evolves beyond monogamy?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with clinical psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Rachel Meir to explore what it actually looks like to open a relationship—and why more people are questioning traditional models of love.

Dr. Meir shares her personal story of being married for over 20 years before coming out as bisexual, opening her marriage, and ultimately building a committed triad relationship. Together, they unpack the emotional, logistical, and cultural realities of non-monogamy—from communication and jealousy to family reactions and societal expectations.

This conversation isn’t just about polyamory. It’s about identity, honesty, and what it means to build a relationship that actually fits your life.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What polyamory actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Opening a long-term marriage—how it really happens
• Jealousy, insecurity, and emotional regulation
• The logistics of a “throuple” relationship
• Navigating family, career, and social judgment
• How communication—not structure—is what makes relationships work
• Why vulnerability is the foundation of any healthy relationship

Whether you’re curious about non-traditional relationships or simply want a deeper understanding of connection, this episode will challenge assumptions about love, commitment, and what’s possible.

Subscribe for more conversations on career, identity, and modern womanhood in medicine.

Dr. Rachael Meir is a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and kink-aware psychologist and sex/relationship coach who helps people explore ethical non-monogamy—including polyamory, open relationships, and swinging— without the fear of judgment, jealousy, or damaged relationships. As a bisexual woman in a polyamorous triad with her partners, Aaron and Kasey, she brings both personal and professional expertise. Dr. Meir is the author of 50 Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship, a practical and compassionate guide to help individuals and couples navigate non-monogamy with confidence and clarity.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Rachel Meir

Connect with Rachel: @drrachaelmeircoaching

https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/retreat-2026 - Thriving Throuples Retreat https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com