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C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
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Creative Arts in Medicine
Connecting with Patients
Passion in the Medical Profession
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
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June 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Lessons From the AIDS Epidemic

By Melinda Kantsiper, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In times of crisis, it can be helpful to listen and learn from the stories of those who have come before us.

November 11, 2021 | 3 min read

Dying Alone

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

Caring for a patient dying of AIDS reminded me that—while it's necessary to be fully present and listen attentively to all patients—those who are alone need even more of our time. 

January 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Dust and distrust

By Matthew Kelly, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Infection-related epidemics, like AIDS and COVID, teach us much about caring. To provide humanistic care, clinicians must continuously endeavor to assess and build trust with patients. 

November 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Memory is a poor monument

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Healthcare professionals often witness challenging events, like the death of a patient. Writing and other artistic expression may help us process emotions. 

August 1, 2023 | 2 min read

Psychological First Aid

By Albert Wu, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Matt Norvell, DMin, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals experience traumatic events that may exceed their ability to cope. Timely emotional support can help maintain their well-being. 

April 8, 2025 | 3 min read

“Can you help me die?” 

By Carolyn Rennels, MD, University of San Francisco

When a patient asks about medical assistance in dying, prioritize deep listening and exploration of fears and hopes over immediate procedural responses. This can help reassure them that you’ll accompany them to the end. 

June 5, 2023 | 1 min read

Saying No With Compassion And Curiosity

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

When patients request something that is unsafe, be curious and explore their perspective before declining. This approach is collaborative and less stressful for both clinician and patient. 

MERIT Health Leadership Academy students, Baltimore, Maryland, author's photo.

February 27, 2019 | 2 min read

The Need for Diversity

By Tyler Mains, MD, University of California, San Francisco

Our future healthcare workforce must be as diverse as the communities it serves.

June 22, 2023 | 2 min read

Caring With Pride

By Corey Tapper, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To ensure nonjudgmental and equitable care of LGBTQ+ patients, call and chart people by their preferred name and pronouns. I also wear a Pride flag lapel pin to show my support. 

June 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Fewer Assumptions, Better Care

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center

Assumptions may speed our diagnoses, but they hinder our interactions with our patients. Our assumptions and expectations of what a patient wants from their care can lead to missed opportunities to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.

February 17, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Talk to Patients About Unnecessary Antibiotics

By Benjamin Miller, Johns Hopkins University, Sara Keller, MD, MPH, MSPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When talking with patients about antibiotics that are not indicated, emphasize personal potential side effects such as yeast infections and diarrhea.

October 8, 2019 | 4 min read

Can you hear me now?

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The onus may be on the clinically excellent doctor to overcome a the patient's disability that interferes with care. A pocket talker can make a big difference for patients with hearing impairment.

October 7, 2019 | 2 min read

5 Tips for Effective Shared Decision-Making

By Mary Catherine Beach, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

The clinically excellent physician practices effective shared decision-making with patients routinely. Select recommendations outlined include using decision aids, and establishing a relationship that is egalitarian and respectful.

July 1, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Support Immigrant Communities During the Pandemic

By Amelie Meltzer, Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh, Reuben Mathew, MPH, Medical Student, St. George University, Zackary Berger, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

All people, including immigrants in the U.S., need comprehensive care at this time. Clinicians should be aware of the resources to help immigrant patients obtain medication, food, housing, and mental health support.

Mattan Schuchman and colleague caring for a patient in her home.

June 21, 2018 | 6 min read

How Home Ventilator Care Helped My Patients

By Mattan Schuchman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Learning how to work with patients on ventilators at home has been a gratifying challenge.

May 16, 2018 | 2 min read

The Stigma of Opioid Use Disorder

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Building a strong therapeutic alliance between patient and clinician—via open communication, mutual respect, and trust—is a lifeline for the individual patient with an Opioid Use Disorder.

November 15, 2018 | 3 min read

You’re Always a Provider, Even in the Coffee Line

By Ishwaria Subbiah, MD, MS, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Opportunities to ease distress extend beyond the bedside and outside of the clinic to every interaction with our patients and also their caregivers.

December 12, 2023 | 2 min read

“CARE”

By Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, William Laurento II, MEdL

There’s no more dramatic way to understand patient-centered care than being a patient. 

April 29, 2020 | 3 min read

Connecting Through Shared Vulnerabilities

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Talking about shared COVID-19 worries allows you to connect more deeply with patients.

"Jazzed about teaching others? Volunteer for a few hours to teach K-12 students about medicine or science."

May 1, 2023 | 2 min read

Choose Your Own Adventure

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When choosing and leading well-being initiatives, consider what would most meaningfully help you and your colleagues thrive. 

April 16, 2020 | 1 min read

Designing Your Life in Medicine

By Lynae Conyers, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Thoughtful career exploration may promote well-being and protect against burnout. Life design practices may guide you along your career journey.

June 18, 2018 | 7 min read

Treating Every Patient How I Would Want To Be Treated

By Mitchell Goldstein, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A pediatric emergency department physician shares his inspiring clinical mission and values statement.

Alfred Nobel, The Nobel Peace Center, Oslo, Norway.

March 18, 2020 | 2 min read

A Nobel Cause: An Interview With Dr. Gregg Semenza

By Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Mentors are invaluable. Whether pursuing excellence in research or clinical medicine, reach out to mentors so that you can grow efficiently.

Natya Dhrami Foundation for Performing Arts. Copyright with Eswar Avidi.

August 10, 2022 | 3 min read

Storytelling With Hands

By Shreya Srivastava, medical student, Albany Medical College

Exploring Non-Western art forms–like Indian classical dance–can diversify our understanding of the cultural and spiritual roles that body parts can play in healing.

Vibraphone. Copyright Chris Dingman.

December 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Peace—Music to Live

By Chris Dingman, vibraphonist and composer

Music with intention and sensitivity can be a powerful tool for helping the terminally ill—and others—cope with physical and emotional pain in order to find peace. Recommending this form of therapy to patients can be a valuable gift.

August 1, 2022 | 1 min read

Keeping Children Safe

By Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Monique Burke, MD, President, MD Chapter of the AAP

The new Safer Communities Act helps clinicians connect patients to mental healthcare. Hopefully, this will reduce youth gun violence, including suicide. 

"The Garden of Earthly Delights." Museo del Prado, Madrid. c. 1495–1505. Attributed to Hieronymus Bosch. Public domain.

December 3, 2019 | 2 min read

A Novel Mentor

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

The clinically excellent clinician is guided by a commitment to advocate for the health and well-being of all who need care, no matter who they are.

June 4, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving My Best to Each Patient

By Ross Donehower, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An oncologist shares his clinical mission statement, with the ultimate goal of making sure that each patient feels deeply cared for.

January 6, 2022 | 1 min read

Celebrating The Wonderful Throughout The Year

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reinforcing our ties with family and friends (including coworkers) is more important than ever. These connections can be an antidote to despair and anxiety. 

December 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Coping with grief during the holidays

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Having experienced my cousin’s death before Christmas reminds me that December isn’t a joyous time for everyone. I encourage those struggling to connect with loved ones and limit substance use. 

July 2, 2019 | 5 min read

Shock, Grief, and Arrival

By Paulo Selber, MD, Columbia University

In the process of decisions regarding children’s welfare, listening to the parent’s feelings will always be the right thing to do.

June 18, 2019 | 2 min read

Navigating the Uncertain: A Book Review of “The Laws of Medicine”

By Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, provides a framework to reconcile the uncertainties we constantly experience in our practice of medicine in his book, "The Laws of Medicine."

April 30, 2019 | 5 min read

A Response to “The 5A’s of Firearm Safety Counseling”

By David Madder, DO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I counsel ALL patients about gun safety, instead of ASKING every patient if they have guns in their home.

Encourage caregivers to get support.

September 8, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Mitigate Caregiver Burnout

By Simone Lescott, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for a loved one can be emotionally exhausting. Remind caregivers to prioritize self-care and encourage them to seek support from others.

February 26, 2019 | 4 min read

On “Great” Diagnoses

By Nathan Douthit, MD, Brookwood Baptist Health, Birmingham, Alabama

Making an accurate diagnosis and giving a name to our patient's illness is a crucial component of acceptance and healing for the patient and their family.

June 22, 2021 | 1 min read

How You Can Take Action Beyond Pride Month

By Nat Mulkey (they/them), Medical Student, Boston University Medicine

To improve the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ patients, we must commit to being lifelong learners and teachers in this continually evolving space.

March 19, 2019 | 3 min read

Reversing the Backslide: Sexually Transmitted Infections in the US

By Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open, non-judgmental, respectful, medically-relevant conversations need to be the cornerstone of all therapeutic relationships. As long as patients feel valued and at the center of their care, patients are willing to engage in discussions about sexually transmitted infections.

June 8, 2021 | 1 min read

Loved Ones: Seize The Opportunity

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Ask for loved ones’ input during clinic visits. Different perspectives may shed new light on patient concerns.

November 7, 2018 | 3 min read

How to Reduce Caregiver Burden

By Jessica Colburn, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Healthcare providers have the ability to provide support, connection, and resources that can help to reduce caregiver burden and increase caregiver joy.

January 5, 2021 | 5 min read

Seeing and Healing Social Isolation

By Katherine Otto Chebly, MD, New York University

Social isolation and loneliness are established risk factors for disease and early death. Routinely asking about patients about their social support system (or lack thereof) allows us to give more effective care.

September 17, 2018 | 2 min read

Listening, Educating, and Giving Reassurance

By Sharon Solomon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By focusing on one patient at a time, 35-40 per day, my mission and approach to patient care is to listen, to educate, to intervene with treatment when I can, and to provide reassurance.

February 22, 2018 | 3 min read

Family History and Addiction Risk

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For some patients the risk of becoming addicted to prescription opioids is extraordinarily high and may outweigh any pain control benefit.

March 19, 2025 | 3 min read

Lessons from caring for Syrian refugees 

By Nagina Khan, PhD, University of Kent

Seek to understand the unique cultural context of patients who have undergone trauma. This is paramount to building trust and providing effective care—especially for vulnerable populations, like refugees. 

August 14, 2018 | 2 min read

Have Guitar – Will Travel

By David Shih Wu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Consider how you might use your creative gifts—and your imagination—to connect more deeply with your patients and bring them joy.

November 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Artful healing

By Sujal Manohar, medical student, Baylor College of Medicine

When I was working in an epilepsy center, I learned the value of understanding the patient’s lived experience. Art and storytelling can provide a unique window into patient concerns and dreams.

August 5, 2024 | 2 min read

Shaping great clinicians

To ensure the next generation of healthcare professionals is outstanding, clinicians need to role model clinical excellence. Asking open-ended questions and listening to patient concerns are two ways to demonstrate patient-centered care. 

July 30, 2018 | 2 min read

Stepping Forward

By Dorianne Feldman, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

There is no greater reward than the gratitude of a patient you've helped to heal.

March 4, 2024 | 2 min read

Getting the diagnosis right 

By Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After arriving at what you think is the diagnosis, pause and consider alternative explanations. For patient populations at high risk for misdiagnosis (women and historically marginalized groups), examine how biases might be influencing your conclusions. 

December 11, 2023 | 3 min read

A jagged landscape  

By Jen Nixon, PhD, Cone Health, North Carolina, Kardie Tobb, DO, MS, Cone Health, North Carolina

Navigating the pathway to finding help for patients lacking resources can be challenging. It may be helpful to first focus on listening to and understanding patient barriers to care.

The flower "Malva Silvestros," in the mountains of Western Greece, where Hippocrates built one of the first hospitals in Europe.

November 2, 2023 | 2 min read

“Life is short and Art is long”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The Art of Medicine requires balancing science, care for others, and care for ourselves. Caring for ourselves is particularly important when we're not feeling well.

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