“To all my brothers & sisters in medicine—doctors, nurses, midwives, medical students, NPs, PAs, veterinarians, and anyone who devotes their life to healing others, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!! I am thankful to be sharing this planet with you . . . ” ~ Pamela Wible, M.D.
Here’s what some of your colleagues would like you to know:
“I know there’s a lot of you out there that are feeling disillusioned. You’re wondering why did I spend all those years in medical school and training, why am I hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I hate this. I hate this profession. I don’t feel like this is me. It’s because you’re in the wrong place. I have several friends (you know who you are) out there. You know that you are very unhappy. You are just racing to get to retirement as fast as you can so you can get out of medicine. What I say to you is dig down deep into your heart and reclaim that dream you had from when you were a little kid and all you wanted to do was help people and serve people, serve your community, and be part of the community in a respected way where you felt free. You can do it!” ~ Yami Lancaster, D.O.
Contact Dr. Wible for scholarships to our monthly retreats.
Next one Dec 1-4, 2017
“If you’re someone who has been wounded in such a deep way, I want to tell you the most important thing that I learned when I was in that exact position: you are not alone. There are people, many of us out there who are looking for you. We’re not waiting for you. We are looking for you. And if you just give us a slightest nod in our direction, we will come find you and we will help you heal.” ~ Gregory Mims, M.D.
“To those out there who are still in pain, there are options. The system is a lie. It’s fed you a false dichotomy that essentially you can be miserable, but successful or you can be destitute and happy. It’s not true. It’s not true. We are divided. We’re kept powerless, but there are those out there who want to help, help reform the system, help you heal to find something that is truly meaningful for you. It’s out there. There are options. You are not alone. And remember that the modern medical system’s unofficial motto right now is: the beatings will continue until morale improves.” ~ Bradley Michel, MS3
“It’s just that it is an abusive system, and you can quit and take time off. Find who you are. You can live your dream. And that’s all you need. Screw the system. It’s not meant to get people better. It’s meant to maintain chronic disease states and make a lot of money. So there ya go . . .” ~ Cammy Benton, M.D.
“What I would want to tell medical students or physicians that are suicidal or just want to quit medicine: I was there.” ~ Hawkins Mecham, MS4
“We as healers tend to isolate ourselves and ignore the fact that there’s a problem going on much, much wider than what we’re just experiencing personally. If you are someone who is struggling, I would encourage you to think about that fact that taking a little time away is very healing. When you have the time, don’t be afraid to take a break. Say, ‘You know what, this isn’t working for me right now,’ and take the time away from health care to evaluate because there are lots of options available to you once you take the time and stand back. But in that time, find who you are because you are an awesome person and there is so much more to you than just who you feel like when you are in this degrading system.” ~ Stephanie Whyte, M.D.
“If you need to take some time off, if you need to get rid of some of that PTSD that’s been part of this profession, our training, that’s completely fine. But don’t ignore that little voice inside you that still wants to do this, but in the way that serves your heart and is authentic to your self.” ~ Yami Lancaster, D.O.
“The transition that I’ve experienced from feeling exhausted and depleted and trapped and sad at work to feeling exhausted, depleted, and angry at the system—that transition has really helped to give me the motivation I need to realize that there is a better way.” ~ Caroline Schier, M.D.
“I know you feel like you are entirely stuck. I know you think that there’s no way out. There is. There are other options and I really, really hope that you will look around and try to find them because I know when you’ve been told over and over that this is your only option that becomes reality to you. But it’s not. It’s not really real. There are other options. There are other ways and you’re not actually stuck. So please try to get yourself unstuck. Please. And ask for help.” ~ Lisa Kozinski, M.D.
“Ask for help. We’re a profession that doesn’t like to ask for help. When you’re reaching out you actually are stronger for doing that and I just want to let you know that by reaching out you’re empowering not only yourself, but you’re empowering your patients and you’re empowering your other colleagues.” ~ Hawkins Mecham MS4
“To anyone out there who is feeling trapped, depleted, exhausted, unhappy, my message to you is that there is a better way.” ~ Caroline Schier, M.D.
“We’re all working so hard. We’re such compassionate, intelligent people. There are plenty of ways to pay off our debt and make money. We don’t have to work for system that takes the majority off the top and works us until we’re burnt out, abusing ourselves. I know the stresses. I know the temptations or the necessity to turn to substances, to be depressed, to be anxious, and it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re feeling that, please take the time to step back because suicide is the next step with that and it is just not worth it. And hearing from peoples’ families that have lost medical providers, it’s heartbreaking. It is such a tremendous loss to a society that needs healers.” ~ Michael Latteri, MS3
“What’s been the most amazing thing for me is the connection that I’ve felt with my peers here and the joy that I have leaving here, the excitement I have because I feel like being amongst these people that just want to serve from their heart has given me hope for my profession.” ~ Yami Lancaster, D.O.
“There are people out there practicing medicine that are more caring and compassionate and creative and amazing and beautiful than I could ever have imagined and that they love me and they love you and they love everybody and they just want to heal.” ~ Jenny Wheeler, M.D.
“If we can’t take care of ourselves and each other then we’re not doing it right so come join us. Pamela Wible and all these people are so awesome. We will always be here for you. All you have to do is contact us.” ~ Michael Latteri MS3
“I’m just joyful. I’m happy. I can’t wait to get out there and start building my dream and reclaiming my dream from when I was three years old and I feel like you can too. So have hope. You can get out of this. It doesn’t matter the debt. Just think about how you can help the world in the way that you wanted to since you were little kid. You can do this! I believe in you and so does Pamela Wible. That’s why I’m here and I’m so glad I found her and all these awesome, amazing people. I love you guys so much!” ~ Yami Lancaster, D.O.
“We know what it’s like and we don’t want to lose any more of our brothers and sisters in health care and it’s making us angry because this world needs us.” ~ Gregory Mims, M.D.
“You are not alone. You are loved.” ~ Pamela Wible, M.D.
Contact Dr. Wible for scholarships to our monthly retreats. Next one Dec 1-4, 2017
Attend our BIG biannual retreat!
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Pamela Wible, M.D., has helped hundreds of physicians reclaim their happiness and their careers. Come join our biannual retreats for medical students & physicians. Retreats are open to PAs, NPs, nurses, veterinarians, psychologists, midwives—ALL healers. Contact Dr. Wible for more info. Video by GeVe.
You need to also know as a RN, I appreciate you as well. I would like for you to know that I would be able to help you if you just ask. You are not taking advantage of the help of probably thousands of retired nurses who would love to be ask to relieve whatever pressures you are feeling from the new systems of care. Bet if you reached out, there would be many who have had your backs in the past and still do. I volunteer to help, but you don’t ask. Why?
OMG Thank you. PLEASE HELP! Will email you privately. What a generous offer.
There are nurses that have your back and protect your patients and you. If you don’t know this, if you don’t care, don’t worry, we’ll still do it whether you know it, appreciate it or care. That’s what a nurse is taught to do.??✌️
Thank you Willa! Totally appreciate nurses. Have you heard of any nurse suicides?
Yes there are nurse suicides. While I was an NP in the ER one of our NP colleagues died of a heroin overdose right before her daughter’s soccer game. We worked for a physician group that took advantage of our licenses, skills and desire to serve poor and underserved people. They paid us an average of $50.00 an hour while paying themselves $250.00 an hour when we called out sick and they were forced to work the NP shift. This NP was clearly miserable and an addict but they kept her on until she alerted an Rx. Then they had to let her go. Only one of the MDs attended her funeral. She worked for that group for over 5 years.
There are no words to describe this situation but it happens all over to nurses, FNPs, MAs, techs . I know of other suicidal nurses successful and not.
I worked with janitors, techs, social workers and clergy who all were healers. Just ask the patients. Some of us worked magic and helped each other out. But many of us didn’t support each other enough. The difficulty of this work affects us all. Not just MDs. I also know of an ER tech that did herself in.
I think about that NP and wonder if anyone could have helped her. I only knew her briefly before she died. I suppose the love and healing we so freely give to others should be given to ourselves and our colleagues.
A dialogue inclusive of all is needed.
Absolutely. Suicide among health workers have similar themes. We must start treating each other with love and respect. We are all in this together. Thank you for sharing your story with us. So sad. I have a book coming out next month that addresses this. What I discover in studying medical student and physician suicides can be extrapolate dot EMTs, nurses, NP, PA and others no doubt.
Thank you.
Thanks for sending out this lovely message and reminder! Great timing 🙂
Oh Jenny it is GREAT to hear from you! I’ve been thinking of ya! <3
Biomedical Engineers support you, Dr. Wible and your supporters.
Anyone who is in the health care field is involved in the most exhausting, serious, nerve wracking job there is. They end up being slaves to the insurance companies and their malpractice insurance is horribly expensive.
If this does not change, then no one will want to become a doctor or other health care professional.
Dr. Wible…, Pamela, I have been in EMS and nursing since 1978. I became a licensed RN in 1990, an I have worked in the same Emergency Department since 1992. I am a diploma nurse, who attended all available courses in trauma nursing, Red Cross support classes, and currently attends FEMA classes to stay abreast of current Federal requirements. I was a Medical Officer in the Virginia Defense Force, until family obligations forced me to leave the organization. I have my physicians’ backs, but they need a support system to allow them to carry a viable and functional system into the future to support our patients.
Oh Alan thank you so much for your service to patients and to the wonderful people who work with you. Medicine is a team sport. We must support and care for one another. You’re setting a great example. Thank you!
Pam,
And a happy Thanksgiving to you!
Keep up your good work. How to help our colleagues be freer and at same time more valuable to others and themselves. Paradoxically, how being more centered and trying to work in your own best way may be better for others. Sounds almost like Adam Smith and the invisible hand. Responding to our own best knowledge and analysis we become more valuable to others.
To all those in the video: go for it. Find out what works for you and for others. Find a better way that makes you and your patients say: good. I am so glad you have found inspiration to change and try something that can be better than the status quo. It won’t be easy, but it wasn’t easy for the Pilgrims either.
Anyhow, if there is any way I might be able to work with you and your team in the future please call. Robert and I are not marketing or selling our PMH model, but I can’t help but think it would be helpful to physicians trying to figure out a better way for themselves and their patients.
If you have never been to our website, we try to talk to our colleagues at Premiummedicalhome.come, to our colleagues.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my colleagues who are out there trying to do their very best to fulfill the oath they took to “First do no harm” and to practice the divine golden rule of treating others the way they would desire to be treated.
You are all so amazing and I value you all so much and am honored to be a part of this most noble profession.
Don’t ever give up and whatever don’t let ANYONE take away your purpose/ dreams and self worth!
I pray that this year will be your best year yet!
Keep the faith.
What a great video! Thank you everyone for your message.
I am a nurse who became a life coach to help those like you; professional givers who are broken, burnt-out, feel powerless, and stuck. There are ways out! There are ways to gain compassion back! There are ways to feel whole again… and more than you ever were!
You do have to take that step and ask for help. You and every vulnerable person that you touch will thank you for taking the time to take care of you and in turn being emotionally available to them. That one simple thing of taking care of yourself improves all other area: your thoughts/emotions, your health/ body, and your relationships.
You can’t fix something that you don’t acknowledge, so please, look and acknowledge the areas of your life that you neglect and watch all of the other aspects improve.