How many conversations in medicine today focus on how hard and how broken things are?
This episode is a hopeful and grounded counterpoint.
Enjoy a rich and thoughtful conversation with Dr. Jed Wolpaw, an anesthesiologist, critical care physician, educator, and host of the beloved medical education podcast ACRAC (Anesthesia and Critical Care Reviews and Commentary)
Jed and I first connected at a speaker's dinner at the Holiday Seminars Anesthesia Conference in Aspen this winter.
We bonded over our shared experiences as physician educators, parents, and advocates for cultivating wellness in medicine.
Dr. Wolpaw is the residency program director for anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins.
His grounded optimism and lived wisdom offer a refreshing and insightful look at what true wellness can look like during medical training. He also shares wise words about cultivating meaningful and sustainable careers in academic medicine and beyond.
We dive deep into how training can be fulfilling, why leadership matters, and what it takes to build teams and systems that support thriving, not just surviving.
Pearls of Wisdom:
Wellness in medicine doesn't require perfection, but it does require intention, connection, and focusing on what truly matters.
Meaning and fulfillment are protective. Doing something hard (like residency) can be energizing if we’re supported, connected, and focused on the purpose behind the work.
Training systems can and must evolve. Offering flexibility, encouraging open dialogue, and creating a culture where people feel safe and seen matters deeply.
Judging less and building more—especially in leadership roles—is how we create teams people want to be a part of.
Mindset, expectations, and energy management matter more than time management. Focusing on what energizes you is often the most resilient path forward.
Reflection Questions:
What gives you energy during your day, and how might you shift more attention toward that?
What kind of team member are you, and how are you contributing to the culture you want to be a part of?
If you're in a leadership role, how are you creating safe spaces for people to be honest, grow, and feel supported?
If you're ready to create your own sustainable path in medicine, I invite you to work with me. Whether 1:1 or as part of a small group, you will learn tools to bring intention, compassion, and creativity to leadership, doctoring, and life. Learn more at: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/coaching
You’re also warmly invited to one of my signature restorative retreats, designed specifically for physicians seeking to reconnect, recalibrate, and realign. Find upcoming retreats at: www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreats
If you’re a medical leader or educator and would like to bring me to speak or lead a workshop for your institution, team, or conference, reach out via www.jessiemahoneymd.com/speaking .
Connect with Dr. Wolpaw through his podcast at www.acrac.com.
Nothing shared in the Healing Medicine Podcast is medical advice.