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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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August 2, 2024 | 2 min read

Time for an exercise snack! 

By Alexis Coslick, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can help patients start and maintain an active lifestyle by prescribing “exercise snacks.” Two ideas to suggest are taking the stairs and/or walking briskly for a few minutes.  

March 24, 2020 | 1 min read

Exercising for Wellness During the Pandemic

By Erica Leonard, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

With the drastic changes to our lives due to COVID-19, we can still stay active. Exercise during this challenging time can help improve everyone's emotional well-being and physical health.

November 8, 2018 | 2 min read

How Maintaining Fitness Can Enhance Your Clinical Practice

By Mike Rucker, PhD, Active Wellness

Maintaining your fitness may prevent burnout, and can be viewed as a gift to yourself, your patients, and your clinical practice.

July 26, 2023 | 3 min read

Small Change = Big Impact

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ideally, healthcare professionals model healthy habits. In doing so, they can inspire others and influence the health of communities.

March 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Balanced conversations about weight

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can treat weight as simply one more piece of health information that they incorporate into a holistic care plans. This can mitigate stigma and foster empathy. 

April 16, 2024 | 1 min read

Changing gears

By Chris Tiplady, MD, Northumbria Healthcare, England

At the start of the pandemic, I permanently switched my commute from car to bike. I'm now passionate about motivating patients to be more active.

May 8, 2025 | 2 min read

Lifting the resistance to strength training

Encouraging patients, especially older adults, to engage in strength training is often overlooked. Specific advice about the how and why can significantly improve uptake and may bolster their quality of life. 

July 18, 2024 | 2 min read

The French secret 

By Alisha Dziarski, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians might consider recommending interactive recreational activities to some patients rather than non-specific exercise guidelines. These endeavors provide exercise, community, and social interaction all in one. 

January 23, 2025 | 1 min read

Only 13.9%?! 

By Edward Slipek, MD, St. Paul, Minnesota

Every patient encounter provides an opportunity to have a conversation about their physical activity levels—recognizing its profound impact on both mental and physical health outcomes. 

August 23, 2023 | 1 min read

Navigating the wait (archives, 2023)

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Accessing timely mental healthcare can be challenging. While waiting to see a mental health professional, lean on support networks and seek emergency care if needed. 

July 14, 2020 | 5 min read

Top 10 Tips For Great Sleep During the Pandemic

By Logan Schneider, MD, Stanford Medicine

Great sleep is a foundation of health—both for healthcare professionals and our patients. Because sleep can be disturbed with the stress of the pandemic, it's important to commit to sleep-promoting habits and routines.

September 28, 2020 | 2 min read

Practicing the Art of Listening

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Listening is essential for humanistic patient care. Listening without interrupting may strengthen the patient-clinician relationship.

September 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Finding Your Way to Compassion Satisfaction

By Wilson Hurley, LCSW

Practicing strategies that renew compassion will allow you to care for patients more effectively.

March 10, 2025 | 2 min read

The B12 fix

By Selvi Rajagopal, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians should remember to watch for fatigue in patients shifting to plant-based diets; a B12 test can reveal a significant, reversible cause of feeling poorly. 

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.

"Granulation," by Dr. Megan Gerber. Copyright with the artist.

February 1, 2021 | 4 min read

Processing Emotions Through Art

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Writing or drawing after a challenging patient encounter may help you work through your feelings and mitigate burnout.

November 20, 2024 | 1 min read

A view from the starting line 

By Ismaa'il Eaddy, undergrad student, Cornell University

Before I begin my career as a healthcare professional, I am working to understand what it means to be clinically excellent. Showing empathy to all and a commitment to continuous learning are essential for providing outstanding care. 

January 7, 2021 | 4 min read

3 Steps to Develop Your Philosophy of Caring

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Identifying the principles that guide your care of patients will bring more meaning and purpose to your work. This can bring both you and your patients joy and fulfillment.

December 7, 2022 | 4 min read

The Road to Aequanimitas

By Wes Ely, MD, MPH, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

My medical training in the 80s and 90s taught me to be reserved and distant from patients. After many years in practice, I now know that they deserve a personal relationship with their doctor.  

August 27, 2024 | 6 min read

Wounded health systems 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

In my own journey as a physician, I’ve realized that healthcare's emphasis on efficiency, productivity, and the EMR can contribute to the wounding of healers. To counteract this, systems must prioritize compassion, foster a culture of caring, and make large-scale changes to create institutional and individual well-being.

May 31, 2022 | 2 min read

3 Good Things

By Richard Wardrop , MD, PhD, Cleveland Clinic

Spring is a time of graduations, assuming new roles, and career transitions. It’s also a time to practice gratitude, lead, and strive for excellence. 

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. 

May 29, 2024 | 1 min read

Unstable housing, unstable health

By Stasia Reynolds, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Routinely asking patients about housing insecurity can help identify those who are at-risk of poor health outcomes. Understanding a patient's living situation can help you provide realistic guidance.  

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 20, 2024 | 2 min read

“HEARTS”  

Creating and appreciating art as part of professional development can foster connection, promote well-being, and cultivate empathy. It can also provide opportunities for self-reflection. 

March 5, 2018 | 2 min read

Introducing Monday Mission and Values Statements

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Begin with the end in mind. ~Stephen Covey

March 3, 2018 | 2 min read

Six Steps to Make Wellness Work

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Our well-being as physicians is an essential part of professionalism. If we aren't well, we can't provide the best care to our patients, who deserve our best.

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.

May 18, 2020 | 2 min read

Remembering Our Call to Medicine

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Remembering why we chose a career in medicine can perhaps bolster our sense of well-being and mitigate burnout.

December 13, 2023 | 1 min read

Micro-acts of joy 

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Focusing on your own wellness doesn’t take a lot of time. A simple practice like listing three things you’re grateful for each day can reduce burnout. 

May 19, 2020 | 1 min read

Faith Over Fear

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Scientific knowledge paired with faith, grit, and perseverance will help us weather the pandemic.

November 14, 2023 | 3 min read

Authenticity

By Charlene Gamaldo, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Rachel Salas, 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. 

Now is the perfect time to seek collaborators for an idea you’ve had brewing. While your idea might not result in a masterpiece like da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" (~1490), it will reduce feelings of social isolation.

April 9, 2020 | 3 min read

Mentoring While Social Distancing

By Ruth Gotian, EdD, MS, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Mentoring Academy

The pandemic is a critical time for clinically excellent role models to continue mentoring. Separation creates opportunities to connect in new ways.

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. 

May 21, 2018 | 3 min read

Listening and Communicating

By Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The clinical mission and values statement of a neurologist, sharing thoughtful tips on listening and communicating with patients and their families.

The Rolling Stones in concert at the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park, July 6, 2013. Wikimedia, Public Domain.

January 2, 2020 | 1 min read

A Commonly Uncommon Patient

By Jeffrey Trost, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking colleagues for help and re-reviewing data are essential in identifying clues to an accurate diagnosis.

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.

March 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Hold my hand 

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

When my friend was dying, I realized the importance of a comforting touch, like holding hands. This physical connection can give comfort to both healer and patient.  

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. 

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. 

The author hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. Copyright by the author.

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.

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.

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.  

"Facilitate finding new ways to stay busy and have fun. Recovery is not punishment. Helping your patient find new ways to have fun is crucial."

October 3, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Mike Fingerhood: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Every time I see a patient I ask them about their home environment, and what the main stressors in their life are right now.

Blowball With Seeds Flying To The Sky

March 7, 2024 | 1 min read

Co-opting feelings

By Bessie Liu, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After my cancer treatment, I felt pressured to turn my trauma into personal growth—when what I needed to do was grieve. This has allowed me to validate whatever feelings patients are experiencing.

February 23, 2022 | 1 min read

Why we Must be Mentors

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

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.   

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. 

Mollie, a superhero therapy dog who works with the author's pet therapy team. Copyright by the author.

April 27, 2020 | 1 min read

Therapy Dogs—Giving Joy Virtually

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

In this time of waiting, many therapy dog programs share love and gratitude virtually—sending silly pictures, sweet thoughts, and getting ready for the day when they can visit in person once again.

Many healthcare professionals make the sacrifice of quarantining from their families during the pandemic.

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.

July 12, 2023 | 3 min read

Act now: save the planet

By Evans Brown, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Climate change is a public health emergency. As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to advocate for reducing carbon emissions to ensure everyone’s health. 

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