How a Neurosurgeon’s Own Journey From Grief to Emotional Agility Helped to Buffer Burnout and Return Joy Back Into Medicine

May 16, 2023

Joseph D. Stern, MD., Neurosurgeon, Author and Inventor

I had the absolute honor of interviewing Dr. Jody Stern on Hope for Healthcare Podcast! Dr. Stern is Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Author  of “Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon’s Lessons on Love, Loss, and Compassion”. In our discussion we take a deeper look into Dr. Stern’s own journey of grief, and how he was able to transform his practice, mentoring and leadership training to encompass empathy and compassion. What I love about our conversation is how Dr. Stern also addresses embracing our vulnerability as physicians can help us develop emotional agility, and ultimately more joy in our daily practice of medicine. 
 
Topics of Discussion:
 
  • How did your deeper understanding of grief help you to embrace your own vulnerability as a physician?
  • Why is it important for us to foster emotional agility when we are already the most resilient population?
  • How does developing emotional agility help us to prevent and buffer burnout?
  • What are key solutions that you propose to help drive compassionate patient care?
Listen to the complete podcast.

 

 

 

Joseph D. Stern, MD

Dr. Joseph “Jody” Stern is a board certified neurosurgeon and author. In 2015, Dr. Stern lost his sister to a nearly year-long battle with leukemia. Through this loss, his encounters with medical professionals, and his own experience as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Stern realized the need of integrating compassion and empathy into the medical field. He has since become committed to deepening and humanizing the doctor-patient relationship.

Dr. Stern is also the Co-Director of the Cone Health Brain Tumor Program, where he specializes in brain tumor surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, spinal surgery, and functional neurosurgery (deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease and tremors).

His book, Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon’s Lessons on Love, Loss, and Compassion, explores the impact of grief and loss on doctors and patients, and advocates for medical professionals to tap into their emotions when interacting with patients and their families.

 
 

Dr. Katie Cole

Affectionately called “The Healer’s Healer,” Dr. Katie Cole is an award-winning psychiatrist and consultant who works with physicians and organizations to reinvigorate their passion for medicine, create healthier work/life balance, and prevent costly burnout.