Takeaway
As my patient’s symptoms eased, our conversations evolved from medical check-ins to life planning. Including patient-defined milestones—like “safe to fly”—in the treatment plan makes healthcare more meaningful for both patients and clinicians.
Connecting with Patients | October 29, 2025 | 2 min read
By Todd Kolb, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
A decade ago, I met a young woman from outside the country as a new patient during a routine clinic session. She and her family had traveled thousands and thousands of miles to Baltimore for a second opinion about repairing a congenital heart defect that was complicated by very severe pulmonary hypertension. Unfortunately, the news wasn’t good. Surgical repair wasn’t an option. Her best course was lifelong medical therapy for her pulmonary hypertension, managed here in the U.S. I had to deliver a lot of difficult news in that first meeting—most notably, that traveling home would be extraordinarily risky given the severity of her condition.
Despite her clear disappointment, at that very moment she resolved to make the most of her time here. She decided to pursue further graduate training while we worked together on managing her PH. We started therapy, and as her symptoms improved, the substance of our conversations began to evolve. Clinic visits began to shift from symptom review and patient education to life planning. She was already quite accomplished academically, and she had a vision—to start her own company. Drawing on her own experience, she had identified a clinical need relevant to many patients with cardiopulmonary disease—and had an idea for a solution. She often sought my input, and our appointments evolved into something more—part medical follow-up, part strategy session.
Over time—and with more than a few ups and downs—she reached her goal. She launched and built a successful company. Her health improved dramatically, and she became a true superstar in the pulmonary hypertension community. She now travels the world, receiving awards for business innovation. And yes—she made it home to spend meaningful time with her family.
This partnership has been one of the most rewarding of my career. When I reflect on what I’ve learned, three lessons stand out:
1. When we help patients feel better, we open the door for them to live fuller, more meaningful lives—not just longer ones.
2. Clinical success is a truly collaborative process. Our visits were a constant reminder that the best care is built on mutual respect, curiosity, and shared purpose.
3. Finally, never lose sight of the patient’s own goals. From that very first meeting, it was clear how important it was for her to return home. Helping her achieve that goal is still one of the most fulfilling accomplishments of my career.
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This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.