What does it truly mean to be successful in medicine? This episode features Dr. Valentin Calu, an Associate Professor of Surgery from Romania, who shares his profound journey from a near-fatal plane crash during an organ harvest mission to his powerful return to the operating room. Discover a unique perspective on surgical leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the deep personal growth required to thrive in high-stakes medical environments.

Dr. Calu provides his definitive "Prescription for Success," a ten-point framework built on discipline, team value, and self-awareness. This conversation is essential for any medical professional seeking to build a resilient, impactful, and fulfilling career beyond clinical skill alone.

Key Topics Discussed:

The long pathway to becoming a surgeon and the transformational journey of residency.

Overcoming a life-altering trauma and the mental shift from being a caregiver to a patient.

Redefining success as a combination of calling, discipline, and consistency.

The critical importance of humility, teamwork, and leading by example in the operating room.

Strategies for maintaining physical health to fuel mental clarity and surgical performance.

The philosophy of leaving a legacy through teaching and inspiring the next generation.

Practical advice on time management, prioritization, and achieving work-life balance.

Featured Expert:
Dr. Valentin Calu is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Pharmacy at Carol Davila University in Bucharest, Romania. He is a respected HPB surgeon and a passionate educator dedicated to surgical excellence and mentorship.

Relevant Keywords:
surgeon leadership, physician burnout, medical career development, surgical residency, overcoming adversity, medical mentorship, work life balance for doctors, patient safety, operating room team, clinical resilience, medical legacy, healthcare leadership, physician coaching, surgical training, professional development for physicians, medical education, doctor patient relationship, hospital culture, success in medicine.

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If you or a healthcare professional you know is struggling, confidential help is available:

• Physician Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141. This is a national, free, and confidential support line staffed by volunteer psychiatrists.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime for immediate support from a trained counselor.

In the high-stakes world of medicine, the focus is relentlessly on patient care, often at the expense of the caregivers themselves. Physicians and healthcare workers face some of the highest rates of burnout, depression, and suicide of any profession, a crisis often shrouded in silence and stigma.

In this powerful episode of Life-Changing Moments, host Dr. Dale Waxman speaks with Dr. Stephanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer of the Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation. Dr. Simmons shares her own deeply personal journey with mental health challenges during training and the difficult choice she made to avoid treatment for fear of professional repercussions. This experience fuels her vital work today.

Their conversation explores the pervasive cultural barriers that prevent healthcare workers from seeking help, the dangerous myth of the "perfect, invulnerable" clinician, and the profound disconnect between the care we prescribe for our patients and the care we allow ourselves. But this isn't just a story of struggle; it's a roadmap for change. Dr. Simmons discusses concrete, actionable steps—from reforming invasive licensing questions to building peer support systems—that are creating a new culture of medicine where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not a career-ending weakness. This is an essential listen for anyone in healthcare who has ever felt the weight of the system, and a hopeful look at how we can finally start to heal the healers.

In this profound conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir who is an internist, geriatrician, and life coach, shares her journey through medicine's highs and lows, revealing how self-awareness and resilience can transform burnout into purpose. From her early days in Pakistan's rigorous medical training to navigating health challenges during residency at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Shabbir emphasizes the power of empathetic leadership. She reflects on a pivotal moment when her program director prioritized her well-being over work demands, teaching her that self-care isn't selfish. It's essential for sustainable caregiving.

The discussion then shifts to her passion for geriatrics, where she finds spiritual fulfillment in honoring older adults' wisdom and advocating for systemic change in their care. Dr. Shabbir also opens up about her transition into coaching, offering physicians tools for self-advocacy, boundary-setting, and redefining success. Woven throughout are her "prescriptions for success," including powerful quotes on facing reality, embracing imperfection, and taking leaps of faith. This episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals seeking to reclaim joy in their work and anyone needing a reminder that growth begins when we stop sacrificing ourselves on the altar of achievement.

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We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

During a recent conversation, Dr. Bela Mehta, Chair of the Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, shared her insights on the vital role of community pharmacists. The discussion highlighted the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, including increased patient care demands and immunization efforts, which contributed to rising levels of burnout among pharmacy practitioners.

Dr. Mehta reflected on her personal journey, beginning with her father's immigration from India to the U.S. in the 1960s, her childhood in India, and her eventual return to the U.S. Her early experiences working in a community pharmacy sparked a passion for the profession, reinforcing her commitment to patient care. Her academic path, including earning a PharmD and completing a residency, led her to academia, where she now focuses on training future pharmacists and advancing equitable healthcare access.

The conversation explored the evolving landscape of pharmacy education and the need for innovative approaches to prepare students for modern challenges. Dr. Mehta emphasized the systemic issues affecting the profession post-pandemic, including workforce shortages and mental health strains on pharmacists. She discussed ongoing efforts to address burnout, improve working conditions, and foster collaboration among healthcare teams to enhance both provider well-being and patient outcomes.

Dr. Mehta also shared her interest in complementary and alternative medicine, challenging conventional perspectives within the field. Her approach underscores the importance of evidence-based, patient-centered care that respects diverse needs and preferences.

To conclude, Dr. Mehta offered valuable advice on mentorship, leadership, and finding purpose in one's career. She stressed the importance of recognizing achievements and maintaining a balance between personal and professional growth.

The discussion reinforced the essential role pharmacists play in healthcare and the ongoing need to support their contributions to community health.

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Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

Host Dr. Dael Waxman welcomes Dr. Stuart Slavin, Vice President for Well-Being at the ACGME, for a deep dive into the systemic challenges and solutions surrounding physician well-being in medical training. Dr. Slavin recounts his transformative work at St. Louis University, where interventions like reduced class time and pass-fail grading slashed student depression rates by 80%—without sacrificing academic performance. The conversation exposes the harsh realities residents face: sleep deprivation, productivity pressures, and cultures that stigmatize vulnerability. Dr. Slavin details how the ACGME is pushing structural reforms, from embedding well-being in accreditation standards to providing programs with data-driven tools to diagnose and address environmental stressors.

The discussion also explores the psychological burdens unique to trainees, including imposter syndrome and the "Stanford Duck" effect—the tendency to hide distress beneath a calm exterior. Dr. Slavin advocates for dual solutions: fixing toxic systems (like inefficient workflows and punitive feedback cultures) while equipping individuals with cognitive tools to reframe maladaptive mindsets. He shares promising models, such as Mount Sinai's Well-Being Champions program, and stresses the need for iterative, trainee-informed change. A rallying cry for educators and leaders, this episode balances stark truths with actionable hope for a healthier future in medicine.

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Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe

Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon

Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify

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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com

Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com