Skip to content
C L O S L E R
  • Creative arts in medicine
  • Connecting with patients
  • Passion in the medical profession
  • Lifelong learning in clinical excellence
  • Topic Search
  • About Us
  • Our Team & Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Add Your Voice
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Subscribe
C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
Johns Hopkins Medicine Logo
Creative arts in medicine
Connecting with patients
Passion in the medical profession
Lifelong learning in clinical excellence
Topic Search
October 24, 2019 | 1 min read

The Art of Talking About Death

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

The clinically excellent clinician engages in honest conversations about death and dying with patients and their families.

July 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Protecting the most vulnerable from heat-related illnesses (archives, 2024)

By Joanna Cohen, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients during heat waves, healthcare professionals should be aware of social determinants of health—like no air conditioning at home. Clinicians should know the available resources to recommend, such as cooling centers within the communities they serve. 

March 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Both sides 

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I realized that I didn’t truly understand my patients’ pain until I experienced pain myself. This has allowed me to give even better care. 

November 22, 2021 | 4 min read

Noticing What We’ve Seen Without Seeing

By Ekene Ojukwu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Carefully observing our patients can lead to clinically relevant insights. Sometimes what seems inconsequential at first glance may be surprisingly significant.

February 9, 2026 | 1 min read

Vaccines, vigilance, and equity 

Funding cuts and disease resurgence demand immediate action: work to expand vaccination in the communities you serve. This protects vulnerable patients and preserves hard-won gains. 

The Juneteenth Star.

June 17, 2021 | 5 min read

Lessons from 1865: What clinicians can learn from Juneteenth (archives, 2021)

On June 19 we can work toward unlearning inaccurate history, practicing critical reflection, and engaging in transformative conversations. These steps and ongoing advocacy should help promote health equity and equal opportunities for all—including healthcare professionals.

August 22, 2023 | 4 min read

HeART And Soul

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

Incorporating the arts into patient care may be a step toward infusing compassion into what can be a dehumanizing healthcare environment. 

April 30, 2025 | 2 min read

Aging and autonomy 

Many older patients struggle with losing independence. Healthcare professionals can partner with them and their loved ones to ease challenging transitions. 

"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

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

November 8, 2021 | 1 min read

Lessons Learned From 30 Years of Night Shifts

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Patience, stamina, and fortitude are important traits to cultivate in medicine at any and all times.

October 21, 2025 | 2 min read

Stroke, breath, care

Swimming taught me the importance of rhythm and breath. During difficult conversations with patients and families, I make room for quiet pauses to give them time to process.

November 10, 2023 | 2 min read

Final journeys

By Elizabeth Gundersen, MD, University of Colorado

Today, we remember patients who have served our country. We are grateful for the honor and privilege of caring for these veterans through their final journeys.

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.

May 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Supporting Underrepresented Trainees

By Vivian Altiery De Jesus, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When witnessing racism, we must support those affected to foster an environment of safety and respect.

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. 

"Imperial Purple," by Spencer Finch. Photo copyright with the authors.

July 20, 2020 | 6 min read

Art and Connection During COVID-19

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sarah Clever, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In a time of physical distancing, stepping out of our comfort zone to find creative and unconventional ways to connect with patients and colleagues can bring us together.

October 5, 2023 | 2 min read

When Medication is an Empty Promise (Sudafed) 

By Charles Flexner, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Communicating uncertainty effectively is part of being an excellent physician. This is especially true when it comes to the medications we recommend to patients. 

August 1, 2019 | 3 min read

Mindset and the Power of Yet: A Conversation With Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal

Excellent clinicians are also thoughtful mentors. Mentors are like beacons as we navigate our path forward.

December 3, 2025 | 3 min read

Gravity, purpose, and “Stranger Things” 

During career transitions, clarify your purpose, establish routines, and schedule regular check-ins with peers or mentors to stay grounded and focused. 

November 28, 2022 | 2 min read

What to Know About RSV

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

Let caregivers know that if symptoms are mild, they can watch children at home and encourage fluid intake. If having trouble breathing, the child should be seen right away. 

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.

June 6, 2025 | 3 min read

Thank you “notes” 

Despite the often overwhelming pace of medicine, remember that a genuine "thank you" to a patient or coworker can be powerful. It acknowledges the profound gifts of trust, collaboration, and shared humanity that underpin all healing and connection. 

The stunning Mona "Moe" Driggs at the Boston Harbor Hotel, October 2010. Author's family photo.

November 21, 2019 | 2 min read

The Chosen One

By Ryan Chippendale, MD, Boston University School of Medicine

As a geriatrician, it was still difficult to facilitate compasstionate patient-centered end-of-life care for my grandmother. Honoring patients' goals of care can be challenging when we are intimately invested.

January 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Acceptance

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When we practice acceptance in the present moment, we free up energy to see more possibilities. We may notice some clarity in our minds and even less tension in the body. There is freedom in acceptance.

April 2, 2019 | 5 min read

Connecting to Historical Roots

By Lee Akst, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

There are a number of important physicians in history, and an appreciation of our past can further our quest for clinical excellence in the present.

An example of a trompe l’oeil in a geriatric hospital setting. Copyright by the author.

January 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Ethical Dilemmas in Dementia Care Design

By Diana Anderson, MD, MArch, Clincial Geriatrics Fellow, University of California, San Francisco

Innovative dementia care designs raise moral questions about whether deception of patients is ever ethical. The clinically excellent physician tries to avoid deception at all costs.

September 8, 2020 | 1 min read

10 Ways to Cultivate Well-being During The Pandemic

It's important to make an effort to improve your sense of well-being to help prevent burnout, especially during the strain of the pandemic.

March 2, 2022 | 1 min read

Redefining Success

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My patient on palliative radiation died in the hospital, instead of at home as she wanted. I was reminded that we must always create a treatment plan based on the patient’s goals instead of our own. 

June 1, 2023 | 3 min read

Meditations For Pride Month

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month can provide us with a time not only to celebrate but also to reflect on questions related to shame and alliances in medicine. 

April 6, 2023 | 1 min read

Finding Parallels

By Mattea Miller, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When deciding on a specialty in medical school, I looked for similarities between my passion for pottery and an area of expertise. I hope this helps me to connect more deeply with my work and find fulfillment in medicine.

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.

September 27, 2022 | 2 min read

When?

By Shreya Srivastava, medical student, Albany Medical College

When my friend was struggling with her mother’s new diagnosis, she listened to the popular French song about cancer entitled, “Quand c’est?” It gave her a sense of support, empathy, and solidarity with others.

February 11, 2025 | 6 min read

“The Tao of Medicine” 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The clinician's mindful presence and understanding of the patient's full humanity are as crucial to healing as technical skill. Let go of using language to define your experience; instead focus on the wisdom that can be found in the empty spaces between thoughts. 

"Dreamscape." Painting by the author.

September 30, 2024 | <1 min read

Approaching the horizon 

By Jessica Berry, PhD, clinical psychologist

My painting, “Dreamscape,” represents the importance of acknowledging and addressing patients' feelings about aging and mortality.  

March 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Co-Reader

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

When we, or someone close to us, have a disease that we see in our patients, it’s an opportunity to more deeply understand the illness experience.  

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? 

February 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Vacations: a “how-to” guide 

Vacations have been shown to reduce burnout, but sometimes it can feel hard to take time off. Blocking vacation time at the start of the year and getting coverage in place early may help. 

January 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The algorithm will see you now”

By Joan Naidorf, DO

In this medical thriller set in the not-too-distant future, diagnosis and treatment are performed entirely by AI. The novel serves as a reminder that AI must be used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

February 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Code blue 

By Ursula Gately, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Extreme heat often dominates the climate change conversation, however the dangers of extreme cold may be more perilous. Support patients, particularly those who are unhoused or with housing insecurity, by making sure they know about local warming shelters and advising them to limit exposure to the elements. 

September 25, 2024 | 2 min read

Seasons of my mother 

By Lisa Young, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My mother had cancer while I was a pre-med student. In caring for her, I learned that it’s important for healthcare professionals to extend empathy not only to patients, but to their loved ones and caregivers as well. 

November 13, 2025 | 2 min read

Cognitive shuffle 

For patients with insomnia, coach them to visualize vivid, unrelated images to disrupt rumination and promote sleep onset. You can try it yourself, too! 

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.

January 8, 2026 | 2 min read

“Who do you talk to?” 

Ask who patients connect with regularly. If they’re not utilizing their social network, include social prescriptions in the care plan. 

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.

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.

August 25, 2020 | 4 min read

A Real Hero and a Real Human Being

By Andrew Philip, PhD, Primary Care Development Corporation

The pandemic has created more stress for everyone, including healthcare professionals. Finding a relaxing activity to practice regularly can help you persevere.

July 7, 2022 | 1 min read

Filial Affection

By Corliss Wong, MS4, The University of Hong Kong

We must listen closely to patients with dementia’s thoughts and feelings, even though their sense of reality may be different than our own.

February 25, 2021 | 2 min read

How You Can Help With Intimate Partner Violence

By Lisa Geller, MPH, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis and most deadly when a gun is involved. Clinicians should screen patients for IPV, ask about firearm possession, and refer those at risk of IPV to appropriate services.

January 8, 2020 | 1 min read

Medical Overuse: When the Care we Give Doesn’t Help

By Daniel Morgan, MD, University of Maryland

The clinically excellent clinician must commit to reducing overuse.

September 7, 2022 | 2 min read

“Hysteria”

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We need to be aware of our own gender biases that could adversely affect women. To combat this, engage in shared decision-making with patients and be a lifelong learner of female health topics.   

Our Mission

Stimulating healthcare professionals and trainees to reflect on giving exceptional care to every patient.

C L O S L E R
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Creative arts in medicine
  • Connecting with patients
  • Passion in the medical profession
  • Lifelong learning in clinical excellence
  • About Us
  • Our Team & Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Add Your Voice
  • Subscribe
  • Donate

©2026 Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence,  Johns Hopkins Medicine.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy