Conversations

If we don't talk about our work, people are unlikely to understand its impact. However, we hold back from talking about our work because we are worried that we may come across as if we are bragging. On this episode, Clinician Researcher podcast host, Toyosi Onwuemene, explores the topic of how to discuss your work without feeling like you're bragging. Drawing from personal experiences and a recent coaching call, Dr. Onwuemene provides practical strategies to share your work authentically. Key...

Dr. Robert A. Winn is Director of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Not only does he lead a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center but he also provides advanced cancer care, conducts groundbreaking research to discover new therapies for cancer, offers high-quality education and training, and engages with the community to make advancements in cancer treatment and prevention equally available to all. In this episode, Dr. Robert discusses the ...

In our training, we have been taught to go above and beyond; however, it may not always be the right thing to do. In this episode, Dr. Onwuemene explores the challenges clinician researchers face in balancing their efforts and provides valuable insights on strategic decision-making. Key Points Discussed: The importance of questioning imbalances; Evaluating obligations on a project; Prioritizing tasks; Overlapping project benefits with personal advancement; The need to avoid people-pleasing....

Dr. Martha Kenney is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric anesthesiologist who completed medical school, residency, and fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University. She is also an Assistant Professor at Duke University and a physician scientist whose research is focused on understanding mechanisms of chronic pain amongst adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease and pain disparities in marginalized communities. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Kenney is a trained pro...

On today's episode, Dr. Onwuemene discusses finding fulfillment in your academic career. Academic careers can be challenging. But challenges do not have to be the norm. As we explore the importance of loving what you do, get ready to reimagine your academic path. Key Points Discussed: Decide Not to Quit: If you are at a point in your career in which you wonder whether it was all worth it, don't quit yet. Remember that it takes time to see a return on investment. Rediscover Your Passion: R...

Dr Latifat Akintade is a Gastroenterologist and founder of The Money School for badass Women Physicians. She is also the host of The MoneyFitMD podcast and bestselling author of Done with Broke. The Woman Physician’s guide to more money and less hustle. She combines her interest in personal finance, her training as a certified life coach and her passion for physician wellness. She believes every physician can create a wealthy life. Her mission is to equip every physician with the tools they need...

In this episode, we explore the superpower of understanding and harnessing the control you have over your research career. This episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing what you control and letting go of what you don't. Key Points Discussed: Control Over Your Will: Distinguishing between what you can control (your will) and what you can't (other people's choices). Thought Discipline: The need for intentional thought discipline, avoiding negative spirals and focusing on thoughts th...

In today's episode, we focus on planning. We explore the need to plan at various levels -- from your overall life plan, to your quarterly plan, to your daily plan. With planning, we emphasize the significance of intentional planning for achieving long-term success and balance. Key Points Discussed: The significance of having a life plan and its role in ensuring a balanced and fulfilling life. Setting one-year goals based on expectations for reviews with department chairs or division chiefs. P...

In this episode, we discuss the shift from traditional mentoring systems to a more personalized and self-directed approach in career development. The focus is on empowering individuals to create their success toolkit by engaging systems, building a supportive community, and developing mentoring networks. Key Points Discussed: Creating Systems: Embracing or engaging existing systems that support research development. Building Community: Forming a community that includes mentors who have go...

In this episode, we address the significant gap in research training for clinicians and the challenges they face in building successful research careers. We also explore the limitations of traditional mentoring models and introduce a more systemic and community-based approach. Key Points Discussed: The challenges mentors face in addressing the diverse needs of mentees. The structural problems in clinician research training. The importance of letting go of the one-mentor model and embra...

In this episode, we explore the critical aspect of crafting a vision for your research program. Delve into the journey of discovering your vision, the significance of aligning it with personal goals, and practical steps to lay out a clear plan for publications and funding. Key Points Discussed: Discovering Your Vision: The importance of recognizing what resonates with you and curating projects aligned with your interests. The Significance of Personal Vision: The challenges of seeking exte...

Explore the transformative power of the 20% principle for clinician researchers. Delve into the core concepts of the Pareto principle and how applying the 20% rule can lead to enhanced productivity and success in the world of research. Gain insights into optimizing efforts for maximum impact across different aspects of research work, including writing, interactions, presentations, and time management. Key Points Discussed: Understanding the 20% principle and its significance in research prod...

In this episode, we explore the pivotal role of focus. In the journey to becoming a clinician scientist, we discuss the complexities of balancing clinical responsibilities, research, and administrative duties. Key Points Discussed: Focus on What Matters: Understand the hierarchy of priorities and distinguish between urgent and truly important tasks. Focus on the Most Important Asset: Emphasize self-investment, continuous learning, and maintaining physical and mental well-being as crucial ...

Dr. Betty Pace is a Professor of Pediatrics and Francis J. Tedesco Distinguished Chair of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Augusta University. Dr. Pace received her MD degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. In 2010, Dr. Pace joined the faculty at Augusta University where she leads a NIH-funded basic/translational research laboratory, focused on the drug discovery for treatment of sickle cell ...

This episode of the Clinician Researcher podcast delves into the crucial aspect of taking action in the professional journey of clinician researchers. The focus is on the importance of strategic and intentional actions for achieving success, with personal stories used to illustrate key points. Key Points Discussed: Informed Action: The episode highlights an experience of taking massive but uninformed action in a research project, underscoring the importance of being well-informed before maki...

Sarah is an expert in grant writing, and her journey from law school dropout to thriving in the world of grant writing is truly inspiring. Briefly describe the episode's content and introduce the guest: In this episode, Sarah shares her unique journey, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity in grant writing. We delve into her experiences, insights, and the key role time management plays in crafting successful grant applications. Key Points Discussed: Sarah's unconventional jo...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of mastering decision-making for success. Our focus is on the five keys to optimal decision-making in 2024 and beyond. Key Points Discussed: Analyzing Your Decision Framework: Reflect on past major life decisions to understand their drivers. Explore the strategies, people, and emotions behind significant choices. Understanding Decisional Biases: Delve into the roots of decision-making biases, whether community-driven or influenced by ...

Dr Megan Melo is a dual-board certified Family and Obesity Medicine Physician as well as a Certified Physician Life Coach and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator based on the work of Brenè Brown, PhD, LMSW. After years of struggling with burnout, she now coaches fellow physicians on how the learned habits of perfectionism, people-pleasing and a lack of boundaries contribute to burnout, particularly as we work within a broken healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Melo addresses people-pleasing...

Your thoughts drive all your actions. Therefore, it is important to explore the significant impact of thoughts on life outcomes. This episode delves into the power of intentional, quality thinking and its influence on actions and achievements. Key Points Discussed: Quality of Thoughts: The influence of thoughts on actions, struggles with self-worth, and how internalized thoughts affected productivity and confidence. Intentional Thinking: Deliberately cultivating positive, possibility-driv...

Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a triple board-certified sleep medicine physician and pediatric pulmonologist. She is the RestfulSleepMD, where she helps high-achieving women and their children change their relationship with sleep so they can move from being drained and exhausted to thriving in their families, careers, and relationships. She achieves this through her clinical practice, coaching, speaking, and organization consultation. In this episode, Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown discusses the importa...

As we are still early in 2024, it is important to consider the keys to our success. Thus, this episode focuses on the fundamentals of our forward motion. Key Points Discussed: Renewal: Reflecting on the necessity of rest and renewal, emphasizing the impact of daily habits on life. Five Keys to Success: Outlining the five critical factors for success: Thoughts, Decisions, Actions, Focus, and the 20% principle. Call to Action: Listeners are urged to introspect and set clear goals for 20...

In this episode, the Clinician Researcher Podcast sets off Season 2 with a focus on supporting clinicians transitioning to researchers while emphasizing authenticity and individuality. Key Points Discussed: Transitioning to a New Format: The podcast shifts to a schedule of two episodes per week, airing on Mondays and Fridays. Authentic Challenges: Highlighting personal experiences and challenges within academia to shed light on the realities beyond the surface. Diverse Perspectives: Ex...