May 30, 2018 | 2 min read

Staying Engaged

By David Feller-Kopman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The opposite of burnout is engagement—here are three things you can do to stay engaged.

December 6, 2018 | 5 min read

Lines Blurred

By Ekene Ojukwu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Really taking care of a patient means making hard choices, saying things people don’t want to hear, and letting them decide if they will engage in their own care. At the same time, it means learning different ways of listening, looking for opportunities and strategies to trust our patients, believing their stories, and seeing them as full individuals

November 14, 2019 | 3 min read

Medicine, Music, and Ministry

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

With the demands of healthcare, it is essential that you practice the ministry of self-care. Remember to nurture your passion for something you love, something you do, and something that’s bigger than you.

December 29, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From “Diary of a Med Student”

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working in healthcare, we interact with people who can be offensive. A med student reflects on how best to respond to patients who are demeaning.

August 29, 2018 | <1 min read

Interview With Dr. Geetha: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

On the importance of meaningful long-term patient-physician partnerships: enjoy a 3-minute video interview with Dr. Duvuru Geetha.

September 2, 2020 | 4 min read

A Call for Advocacy in Medicine

By Sara Wallam, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Systemic racism is prevalent throughout our society. To dismantle disparities in health outcomes for minority patients, clinicians must advocate for their patients at the local level and for communities on a regional and national scale.

November 17, 2021 | 3 min read

Awe in The Midst of Medicine

Pausing, reflecting, and savoring moments of awe can balance the frequently overwhelming demands of clinical care.

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.

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. 

January 19, 2023 | 2 min read

With Only a Nod

By Becky Sansbury, MDiv, Raleigh, North Carolina

Sometimes the best care we can give is to be quiet, observant, and appreciative of our patient’s sharing a life-changing moment.

October 22, 2019 | 2 min read

The Color of my Skin

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

With mentorship, advocacy, and open-mindedness by all, it is hoped that there will be greater diversity within the healthcare workforce.

April 30, 2018 | 4 min read

The 15 Values of a Pediatric Anesthesiologist

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A pediatric anesthesiologist shares the 15 values that have guided his career.

September 30, 2025 | 1 min read

More time

It is best for goals-of-care conversations to happen as early as possible. Clinicians can use these discussions to help guide shared decision making around end-of-life care.  

August 14, 2023 | 3 min read

Accentuate The Positive

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Sometimes interactions with patients may feel challenging. Expressing gratitude to patients for positive encounters may help reduce stress and bring joy.

April 16, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving Humanistic and Empathetic Care

By Michele Manahan, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Michele Manahan's Clinical Mission & Values Statement on supporting her patients through conversation, active listening, a receptive ear, and an incisive mind.

May 29, 2018 | 2 min read

Love At First Sight

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A clinically excellent physician always takes the time to ask his/her patient about the history of substance use in their parents and siblings, as well as aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins; and always asks about adoption.

November 5, 2018 | 2 min read

Providing Holistic Care

By Nancy Hutton, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Excellence in clinical care requires intellectual rigor, keen observation, empathic communication, an understanding of the context in which the patient lives, and consideration of the individual patient as the center of care. 

January 17, 2023 | 2 min read

Finding Meaning

By Jaime Jump, DO, Texas Childrens Hospital

When my seven-month-old-patient suffered severe neurological damage, despite having little to offer medically, I remembered I could still support her mother through this tragedy. Taking solace in this helps me to be present for my other patients. 

October 17, 2019 | 1 min read

Highs and Lows

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

The clinically excellent physician is always fully present with their patients. Sometimes there is the joy of a healthy new baby, and other times there is despair.

December 23, 2020 | 5 min read

Holiday Rounds

By Samuel Durso, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you're called on to work through Christmas and New Year’s, there's a bright side. This is typically a quieter period and may allow more time to learn from clinically excellent role models.

September 23, 2025 | 3 min read

Keeping humanity at the heart of surgery 

Exceptional care means seeing—and honoring—the patient behind every procedure. A few ways to achieve this can include compassionate communication, gentle touch, and taking time to clarify anything that is poorly understood. 

July 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Jumping Into Redeployment

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for very sick patients during the pandemic can help you to reconnect with the meaning and purpose of medicine. Sign up to serve if the opportunity presents itself.

October 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Be a Team Player: Get Vaccinated

By Alexis Coslick, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Be a teammate to everyone in your community. Get vaccinated and encourage others to do so.

October 31, 2018 | 2 min read

Halloween Heartbreak

By Wilma Ferthler, MD, Rural Country Doctor, Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

This is both our trick and treat. Enjoy a silly story – we hope it makes you laugh! Happy Halloween!

February 13, 2024 | 3 min read

Unsent letters from a palliative care doctor to a patient and her dog 

By Lingsheng Li, MD, MHS, University of California, San Franscisco

Sometimes we never get the chance to tell a patient what we admire about them. After my patient died, I realized I’d been inspired by the inner strength she showed by caring for her dog despite health and life challenges. 

August 27, 2018 | 1 min read

Practicing the Golden Rule

By Scott Newsome, DO, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A key element in treating people with chronic illness is partnering with their family to develop an individualized management plan.

January 11, 2023 | 3 min read

Joy in Primary Care 

By Jane Abernethy, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Meaningful longitudinal primary care relationships with patients are fulfilling and rewarding. Modeling for trainees that this career path can be gratifying and fun is vital. 

April 25, 2018 | 1 min read

How To Maintain Joy In Practice

By Steve Kravet, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Maintaining joy in practice requires deliberate attention. The emotional and physical investments demanded by healthcare professions are additive and contribute to high levels of stress and burnout. Mitigating this trend requires effort and attention on the part of all stakeholders.  

September 17, 2025 | 2 min read

Medicine in shackles: reflections from the ICU

I advocated for our team to humanize the care of our patient—namely removing handcuffs at the end of life. Even if you cannot change the outcome, speaking up for patients is one way to uphold dignity and embody the values of our profession.

August 3, 2023 | 3 min read

A Glass of Milk

By Kyle Glienke, MD, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Iowa

When I was working with my grandpa as a dairy farmer, he said what made it all worth it was knowing how many children needed the milk. As a doctor, I find meaning by reminding myself how many people need care. 

April 10, 2018 | 3 min read

Finding Beauty In Your Inbox

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes, beauty and inspiration are inches away from our eyes, glowing at us from the blue light of our screen. Dr. Wright shares a moving story from a recent email exchange between a resident and attending.

May 24, 2018 | 2 min read

My Professional Totem

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A psychiatrist shares her story of how a painting by Raphael has reminded her of of why she wanted to become a doctor and what the profession of medicine is all about.

October 29, 2018 | 2 min read

The Power of Laughter

By Carol Ann Huff, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Laughter is wonderful medicine and can almost always be heard emanating from my clinic!

February 13, 2025 | 2 min read

“Facul-tea” 

By Laura Tafe, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

To deepen relationships with colleagues, intentionally cultivate community by establishing regular, shared experiences—like a tea—that encourage connecting. Such gatherings may improve the overall well-being of the team. 

September 17, 2019 | 5 min read

Being Human First

By Kultaj Kaleka, MD, RN, Central Michigan University

Family and friends frequently ask medical trainees for their medical advice. Naturally, our recommendations are not based on medical experience, but rather our shared humanity.

August 13, 2018 | 1 min read

How I Uphold My Hippocratic Oath

By Marcia Canto, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I try to take care of each patient as if he or she is my close relative or friend. I believe this is the only way that we can uphold our Hippocratic oath in the modern era of medicine, which tends to depersonalize physician-patient interactions. 

November 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Prescription for a healthy future—vote!

By Deanna Behrens, MD, Advocate Children\'s Hospital, Elizabeth Mack, MD, Jenna Miller, MD, Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians have a responsibility to advocate for policies that can improve the health of all. We must take our civic responsibility seriously and make a plan to vote. 

July 27, 2023 | 2 min read

Book Review of “The Pastoral Clinic” 

By Juliana Fan, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Garcia’s ethnography highlights the need for healthcare professionals to foster hope, particularly when working with patients with opioid use disorder. Remember to be kind, patient, and positive with those who are suffering. 

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.

June 5, 2018 | 2 min read

Clinical Excellence: It Takes A Village

By William Greenough, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The key to clinical excellence in long term care rests not solely on the physician, but also with hands-on bedside caregivers—the unsung heroes of healthcare—nurses, and in this patient story, a recreational therapist.

October 24, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Hugh Calkins: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Not requiring a referral or pre-screening patients are two things physicians can do to ensure that more people have access to clinically excellent care.

February 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Co-bearers of suffering

By Mike McCarthy, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes a patient’s pain can’t be eliminated. However, we can still walk with them as a co-bearer of suffering. 

January 2, 2025 | 2 min read

Gratitude and goodbyes  

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The privilege of longitudinal care is witnessing patients grow and evolve over time. Saying goodbye to patients can be filled with both sadness and immense gratitude for the opportunity to have been a part of their lives. 

July 10, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Susan Harvey, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

When talking with patients, sitting down at the same level that they are sitting can help them relax.

June 27, 2024 | 2 min read

Lessons from earlier in life: from public school teaching to doctoring  

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

I apply the principles I learned as a public school teacher to patient care: asking insightful questions, seeing the whole person, and fostering motivation for positive change. 

October 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Beyond The CV

By Kayla Eboreime, Medical Student, University of Texas Medical Branch

There will always be both accolades and critiques that come your way. Neither define who you are. Nourishing your whole self can maintain balance so that you can flourish professionally and personally.

September 4, 2025 | 2 min read

To comfort always 

Providing compassionate companionship to patients can be as healing as any medicine when a cure is no longer possible. 

July 19, 2023 | 2 min read

Sacred Spaces

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

Patients often experience the most vulnerable moments of their lives with clinicians. These shared intimacies refuel my passion for caregiving and are a fulfilling part of medical practice.  

June 22, 2020 | 4 min read

Doing Something or Doing Nothing: Health Disparities, Racial Justice, and the Risk of Failing to Meet This Moment

By Hal Kronsberg, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Truly addressing health disparities and racial justice requires an intense and challenging examination of our own clinical practices and how they may perpetuate inequalities. We must continually hold ourselves and our institutions accountable on the path to building a more just medicine.

August 24, 2021 | 2 min read

5 Lessons From my Nonlinear Career in Medicine

By Thelben Mullett, MD, Seattle, Washington

Instead of asking medical students what specialty they intend to pursue, we should help them reflect on their natural strengths and values in planning their career.