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.

November 27, 2023 | 2 min read

Immunity illusions

By Abraham Nussbaum, MD, Denver Health

When my classmate in medical school died of chronic illness, I was finally able to imagine myself as a patient. I now treat patients with the compassion that I would want to receive in the hospital.  

August 20, 2024 | 2 min read

Wounded healer

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinician burnout can erode compassion, which is at the heart of healthcare. To reignite a passion for healing, clinicians must tend to their own souls in addition to mind and body.

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!

April 6, 2022 | 3 min read

The Last Inning

By Mark Duncan, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes, patients have the opportunity to write a beautiful concluding chapter to their lives. We can encourage them in this endeavor.  

May 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Kids in tow 

By Martina Anto-Ocrah, PhD, MPH, University of Pittsburgh

I once had to bring my four children with me to an OB-GYN appointment. It reminded me that it’s important to recognize that patients may have challenges getting to clinic, and to work with them to find solutions. 

May 19, 2025 | 3 min read

The moral injury of divergent healthcare goals 

Moral injury can arise when there’s a tension between business goals and clinicians' mandate to serve patients. Encouraging transparency and commitment to reconverging these goals may improve understanding and lessen distress among hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, and patients.  

November 12, 2025 | 2 min read

Paternal insight 

My patient’s father reminded me that exceptional care goes beyond knowledge—it’s also the humility to admit uncertainty and the skill to forge collaborative partnerships with patients and families. 

May 11, 2018 | <1 min read

Share A Story In One Tweet

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Hope you’re as moved as we were by these touching short stories from both healthcare providers and patients.

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.

November 15, 2023 | 2 min read

Rolling boulders uphill

By Jennifer Lycette, MD, rural oncologist in the Pacific Northwest

When my patient was incarcerated, I realized that I could still be present and caring despite challenging circumstances. 

July 16, 2024 | 3 min read

A box full of hope 

While working as a doctor in Cameroon, I learned that the most valuable resources aren’t always technological. Instead, generosity, kindness, and human connections may be most important for making healthcare more widely accessible. 

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.

March 14, 2022 | 1 min read

A Woman of Faith in Medicine

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Having faith in something helps me mitigate burnout and give empathic care to all patients. 

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.

April 4, 2023 | 1 min read

Insurance Denial Fatigue

By Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After spending hours with patients deciding what tests or treatments are most appropriate, guess how many seconds it takes for an insurance doctor to reject the claim? 

November 11, 2025 | 1 min read

Purpose shapes practice

I found more meaning in my work when I stopped treating “cases” and started seeing people. Compassionate attention became my most effective clinical tool.

April 1, 2021 | 3 min read

April Fool’s Joke: The Text Message

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Don’t be a fool. IMHO, getting to know patients as individuals isn’t necessary. Is it rewarding? I’m ROFL.

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.

November 14, 2023 | 3 min read

Authenticity

By Charlene Gamaldo, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Bringing your full self to work is a purposeful strategy for flourishing. This may also allow you to connect more deeply with patients and colleagues. 

July 8, 2024 | 2 min read

Suturing stories 

By Andrea Merrill, MD, Boston Medical Center

By using writing to process patient care experiences, I'm able to learn from challenging events at work and find more meaning in medicine. 

October 30, 2018 | 1 min read

The Joy of Patient Volunteers

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

Ask a patient to volunteer in your clinic or office - I guarantee it will add to the joy of medicine and the joy of life!

February 23, 2022 | 1 min read

Why we Must be Mentors

Mentoring is essential to supporting trainees. Helping learners find their passion and grow will ultimately allow them to find happiness and meaning in their work.   

April 30, 2024 | 2 min read

Taking the leap

By Jennifer Woodard, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin

Caring for those with dementia extends to their caregivers. Often, that means simply being there to offer support.

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.

March 29, 2023 | 1 min read

Remarkable Human Spirit

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

In the aftermath of my patient’s devastating consequences of illness, his reaction was anything but what I expected.

March 18, 2021 | 5 min read

The 24 Notes of Taps

By William Wright, DO, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Let us honor the bravery of clinicians who have sacrificed everything in this pandemic to serve others.

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.

November 13, 2023 | 2 min read

How clinicians can address housing insecurity

By Craig Pollack, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For patients with housing insecurity, clinicians can connect them with a social worker and share a list of community-based resources. We must also advocate for policies that increase access to safe and affordable housing.

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. 

October 22, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving Compassionate Care

My goal is to to be a clinically excellent oncologist, which means being compassionate, spending time with patients and families in order to understand their needs, helping with treatment decisions, and being there for end-of-life decisions as well as hospice care.

February 14, 2022 | 2 min read

Patients Admitted to Hospitals May be Sicker Than Ever 

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Because of the pandemic, some patients have avoided healthcare settings and professionals. Outreach to these patients is needed. 

April 24, 2024 | 1 min read

The power of teamwork

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to deliver excellent patient care. Shared problem-solving from diverse perspectives is critical when facing complex issues. 

April 22, 2025 | 5 min read

Let the language live 

Daily clinical interactions, marked by honest communication and empathy, hold unique power for healing and justice. 

June 19, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. William Ravekes, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Taking the time to build trusting relationships with kids and their families is essential.

October 23, 2025 | 2 min read

Move over FOMO 

ROMO—the Relief of Missing Out—is the burnout antidote you can start tonight. Consider skipping the next conference and protecting your weekends to have energy to give exceptional care to every patient. 

March 11, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Create Sanctuaries for Patients

By Michelle Ogunwole, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To create safe spaces for historically marginalized patients, slow down and gather more information when conflicts arise. Be aware of your biases and give patients the benefit of the doubt.

April 6, 2018 | 1 min read

The Human Tragedy of the Opioid Crisis

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Addiction impacts more than just my patient, but their entire family. And our job as doctors is—in some way—to care for all of them, to bring them in close, and to try to relieve their suffering in some way.

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 15, 2018 | 1 min read

Respect, Empathy, and Communciation

By Andrea Corse, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My approach to care is to provide the kind of care you would want for yourself and your family.

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.

April 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Outside the clinic walls: making Narcan accessible to everyone

Addiction is a chronic disease that requires a combined approach of medical treatment and community engagement. Clinicians must work to educate their community about addiction and provide them with resources like Narcan.

June 26, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

We need to think of ourselves as community members who happen to be clinicians.

October 20, 2025 | 2 min read

White coat/blue gown 

When I became a patient, loss of control helped me realize how much trust I needed to place in my doctor. As a clinician, I will remember my experience and the need to build trust with candor and clear communication. 

May 8, 2018 | 3 min read

Compassion is Contagious

By Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients are observing us while we interact with others in the hospital, and this can have a tremendous impact on the trust they put in our care.

June 15, 2020 | 1 min read

Getting CLOSLER: A Note to Our Readers

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For two years, CLOSLER has been stimulating healthcare professionals and trainees to reflect on giving exceptional care to every patient.

October 8, 2018 | <1 min read

Alleviating Patients’ Emotional Burden

By Paul Manson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My approach to clinical care involves making a dual diagnosis for each patient: identifying the problem, and understanding how that problem affects the patient psychologically and emotionally.

February 1, 2022 | 2 min read

Finding my Voice

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As a trainee, a distressing clinical experience taught me that I must always be the patient’s advocate. Now as a teacher, I help my learners to feel confident speaking up for what they know is right. 

April 22, 2024 | 2 min read

Mentorship—a lifelong dialogue   

By Jane Abernethy, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Rani Nandiwada, MD, MSEd, Penn Medicine

In our long-lasting mentor-mentee relationship, we’ve learned it’s helpful to put a regular check-in time on the calendar and to brainstorm questions and goals for the session ahead of time. 

June 12, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Jamie Wright, A CLOSLER Look

Making the time to ensure that patients understand what you are teaching them about their bodies will help them make better decisions about their care.