What’s your superpower and how does it help you care for patients?

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I can say “good morning,” “how are you,” and “thank you,” in eight languages.

It’s a great skill, until the patient believes I’m fluent in their language and bursts into a conversation :).

Scott Wright, MD, Executive Editor, CLOSLER

I am keenly attuned to detecting suffering, pain, disappointment in others. This ‘sense’ allows me to ask, listen, and empathize with patients who are struggling.

Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My superpower is that I appear very calm on the outside even when I am not feeling AT ALL calm on the inside.

Both patients and learners have shared how soothing my seemingly calm demeanor has been to them in times of crisis. Initially, these comments surprised me but after hearing them so many times from so many people over decades, I’ve come to accept that – although I feel things very strongly on the inside – my feelings of anxiety never show. Luckily my feelings of empathy do!