May 22, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Jonathan Efron, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Do today's work well, so that tomorrow will take care of itself.

November 1, 2023 | 2 min read

Lean on me

Upon learning of my patient’s death, I called their spouse to offer support. Realizing my need to talk with someone, I turned to my colleague, who was able to help me refocus on giving excellent care to other patients.  

July 10, 2025 | 2 min read

Lessons in quiet courage 

As a new doctor, I cared for an unwaveringly optimistic patient with systemic sclerosis. She reminded me that holistic care requires deep listening—not just to medical histories, but to the hopes and dreams that carry patients forward, even when medicine can do no more. 

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. 

May 14, 2020 | 3 min read

Stay at Home When Possible as Restrictions Ease

By Nina Shapiro, MD, University of California Los Angeles

It’s important to remind patients and loved ones that avoiding unnecessary socialization and travel can save lives.

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. 

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.

August 8, 2018 | <1 min read

“A CLOSLER Look:” Interview With Dr. Greenough

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

"Every note I write, I include something about the patient as a person. Everyone needs to understand who the person is who is experiencing the disease." Watch and listen as Dr. Greenough shares a couple pearls of wisdom from over six decades of clinical experience in a five minute YouTube interview.

March 9, 2021 | 2 min read

Self-Compassion: A Resilience Strategy For Stressful Times

By Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD, University of Arizona

Cultivating self-compassion can combat stress and burnout, and improve your overall well-being.

May 23, 2019 | 1 min read

The Orchid

By Susan Aucott, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The orchid: each time I see the growth of a new leaf, it reminds me of the hope that can come even in the midst of sorrow. And when a blossom appears, it reminds me of the hope and caring that I have the privilege of sharing with every family I have the honor to encounter.

July 8, 2025 | 2 min read

Walking the road with Jeremy 

By constantly challenging me to connect my decisions back to the patient’s real needs, Dr. Walston pushed me to become a more thoughtful and compassionate clinician-scientist, always grounding my care and research in what matters most to those I serve. 

January 24, 2022 | 3 min read

What I Learned About Medicine from “The Price is Right”

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

A childhood dream was fulfilled when I won my favorite gameshow. The joy I experienced in that moment is something that I strive to share with patients each day. 

July 6, 2020 | 3 min read

Dropping Out, Surviving, or Thriving

By Jina Sinskey, MD, University of California San Francisco

The practice of medicine inherently involves intense emotional experiences. Instead of avoiding these feelings, we must embrace them if we want to grow.

April 15, 2024 | 1 min read

When the end is near 

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Shubham Tomar, MBBS, MPH, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

At the end of life, loved ones often must make difficult decisions. Healthcare professionals can help ease this burden by showing empathy and compassion. 

March 2, 2018 | 4 min read

The Joy of Mentoring

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making time to mentor a high school student can be refreshing and rejuvenating for all clinicians.

March 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Cleaning Dentures

By Becky Sansbury, MDiv, Raleigh, North Carolina

When my patient asked me to get the blackberry seeds out of her false teeth, I was reminded that simple comfort measures can be crucial for patient well-being. 

October 16, 2024 | 2 min read

Best practices for motivating patients  

By Zoobia Chaudhry, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To motivate patients toward long-term behavior change, healthcare professionals should try to identify patients’ intrinsic goals and align care plans. 

February 15, 2021 | 2 min read

End-of-Life Care During The Pandemic

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Hospital visitation is limited during the pandemic. To alleviate the stress of this restriction, connect patients with their families via video as often as possible.

May 8, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Cynthia Rand, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

"It's our responsibility to speak up for patients who don't have a voice."

October 26, 2023 | 1 min read

Silent Walking

By Elizabeth Reynolds, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Take time for a mindful stroll. Instead of multitasking, untether from electronic devices, tune into the senses, and allow space for thoughts.

June 30, 2025 | 4 min read

Finding flow and joy in medicine

Finding professional flow requires assessing your inner values and the work environment. Finding harmony between who you are and what you do may help to prevent burnout and restore your joy in medicine. 

January 20, 2022 | 2 min read

Reflecting on Boundaries During Times of Loss

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recently, my eyes filled with tears upon learning of a death in my patient’s family. Empathizing with patients who have suffered a loss can bring up strong feelings. How much of this is ok for clinicians to reveal?

May 7, 2020 | 5 min read

Captivity and COVID-19

By Cesar Lopez, MD-PhD student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Zackary Berger, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Severely ill incarcerated individuals will be hospitalized at disproportionately high rates during this pandemic. As always, healthcare professionals should treat them with dignity and respect. Better care of those who are imprisoned may help with our public health efforts and response.

April 1, 2024 | 7 min read

Osler’s visit  

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

“Every patient you see is a lesson in much more than the malady from which he suffers.”—Dr. William Osler 

September 19, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Raf Llinas: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

I try to teach using humor. I start by sharing with residents funny mistakes I made during my own training, so that they remember and learn from these poignant stories.

March 7, 2023 | 6 min read

When The Doctor Becomes The Patient

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Cancer interrupted my personal and professional lives. Being a patient is an invitation to be human, something we often don’t have much time for in medicine. I am working to bring together the best of being a doctor, being a patient, and being a human being.

October 15, 2024 | 3 min read

Finding healing in the wound  

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

In caring for patients, embrace the paradox of the wound. Recognize that illness can be an opportunity for their growth and personal transformation. Support them in exploring the spiritual and emotional dimensions of the experience. 

February 24, 2021 | 2 min read

“Make you feel my love” (archives 2021)

By Amy Vinson, MD, Boston Childrens Hospital

Seeing the love in a patient’s life can be moving. It can also remind us just how important close relationships are in life.

October 24, 2023 | 6 min read

Hoping

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

Even when a cure is not possible, I try to show patients and their loved ones that there are other things for which to hope. 

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. 

May 28, 2020 | 4 min read

Masking Safety

By Paul Nestadt, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Some patients are unable to understand the need for protective measures against COVID. Clinicians working with these patients are at increased risk, and may need to advocate for additional PPE for their healthcare team.

March 26, 2024 | 3 min read

Taylor Swift on the psych ward

By Abraham Nussbaum, MD, Denver Health

Music can be a powerful tool for learning and can be used to teach complex topics in a way that is both memorable and engaging.

September 12, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Judy Huang: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

To be clinically excellent, you have to be able to put yourself in the shoes of your patient and their family.

March 1, 2023 | 2 min read

Moving Past Debt 

With my student loans forgiven, financial pressures were substantially allayed. With this stress removed, I feel more focused on serving my patients.  

October 14, 2024 | 2 min read

Beyond the bike lane

By Chris Tiplady, MD, Northumbria Healthcare, England

Healthcare professionals can be strong advocates for communities. This can include working to improve cycling infrastructure, affordable housing, and access to education. 

March 3, 2021 | 3 min read

Understanding the Sacrifices we Make in Medicine

By James Aluri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving excellent care to every patient requires you to make significant sacrifices. Acknowledging this can help you understand, and even accept, these sacrifices.

May 1, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Ed Kraus, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

"Whenever I sit with a patient, I try as hard as I can to see the world through their eyes." ~ Dr. Ed Kraus

October 16, 2023 | 1 min read

Clinging to Hope

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Nitin Narayan, medical student, Gujarat, India

A patient’s family wasn’t ready to accept that their loved one wouldn’t recover. From the encounter, I learned that sometimes it may be appropriate to delay such conversations for a little while. 

June 18, 2025 | 2 min read

The heart of the practice: a PA’s reflections on teamwork 

Exceptional patient care is a team endeavor, built on trust and a shared commitment to addressing every patient's unique needs. This is especially true when navigating complex health disparities.

December 6, 2021 | 1 min read

Replacing a Void With Joy

By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

I recently went from being vice dean at a business school to “just” a professor. Although society generally measures success by whether a person “moves up,” returning to what I find most interesting and inspiring has increased my well-being, happiness, and fulfillment.

April 2, 2018 | 2 min read

Being a Guide on the Journey to Health

By Manisha Loss, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

As a guide on this journey with our patients to health, we must serve as an example of hope, understanding, and direction.

March 13, 2024 | 1 min read

How writing helps me as a clinician

By Jason Han, MD, Penn Medicine

Writing helps me reflect on the surgical decisions I make each day.

September 5, 2018 | <1 min read

Interview with Dr. Wolff: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

A 3-minute video interview with oncologist Antonio Wolff, MD, on the privilege of taking care of patients.

February 27, 2023 | 2 min read

Children Need Hospice Too

By Emily Johnson, MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Regularly reassessing goals of care is necessary during critical illness. This can help families maintain hope and realistic expectations. 

January 28, 2021 | 3 min read

Purple Nail Polish

By Shauna Maty, MPH, Medical Student, St. George University

Always remember that your patient is a person with a family, friends, and a unique story. Your first responsibility as a healthcare professional is to heal your patient and your second is to learn.

October 10, 2023 | 1 min read

Back on Track 

By Zoobia Chaudhry, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By encouraging patients and supporting their self-efficacy, we can empower them to take charge of their health. 

November 29, 2021 | 3 min read

Being Your Patient’s Advocate

By Sabrina Chen, medical student, New York University

Some supervising physicians may occasionally seem annoyed by medical students’ questions. As a trainee, I’ve learned to speak up anyways, as my question can make the difference between life and death.

November 17, 2023 | 5 min read

Hike Your Own Hike

By Lillian Hayes, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins University

Medical training and practice are marked by constant change, which can feel uncomfortable. Embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth can help us to improve our care of patients.