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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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February 22, 2022 | 2 min read

Mindfulness Through Small Habits

By Ayman Mukerji Houseman, MS, MSW, New York City

Mindfulness practice, deconstructed into practical small habits, helps busy healthcare professionals better manage their daily stress. 

Central Park, New York City

November 24, 2025 | 2 min read

Nature Rx 

For improved mood and lower stress, consider prescribing exposure to nature—urban parks and leafy sidewalks are free, accessible options. Try spending time there yourself, too. 

Brushing your teeth each morning and night can be a great time to practice being mindful - instead of checking your phone!

December 3, 2018 | 2 min read

Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In mindfulness meditation, we are not trying to change anything. We are simply becoming aware of what is going on without judging it as good or bad. When we bring our awareness to the present moment, a natural by-product is often relaxation.

May 20, 2019 | <1 min read

Mindful Communication

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Before and during difficult communication, ask yourself: Are my words King TUT? Is what I am saying kind, true, do I even need to say it, and, finally, is this the best time to say it?

January 11, 2021 | 2 min read

Meditation to Manage Stress

By Wilson Hurley, LCSW

Stress can cause us to be impatient with patients and colleagues. Noticing this and refocusing our attention toward the patient can help us continue to give excellent care.

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. 

"Helping Hands," by David Kopacz. Copyright with the artist.

November 3, 2020 | 4 min read

Beyond Resilience: Fighting the Causes of The Burnout Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinician wellness should be a shared responsibility between individuals and institutions. Beyond facilitating clinician resilience, institutional transformation is needed.

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.

June 4, 2025 | 3 min read

Letting the tea leaves breathe 

Kind gestures, like bringing a patient a cup of tea, may help bridge the gap between suffering and solace. Such thoughtfulness can offer comfort as powerful as any medication. 

November 6, 2019 | 3 min read

Songs From Hospice

By J Lind, Dale Fellow and touring songwriter, Nashville, Tennesse

It's the details of the patient's story that transforms them into a person.

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. 

March 20, 2023 | 5 min read

Lazy gardening (archives, 2023)

By Ken Koon Wong, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Naomi Tyree, MD, Summa Health, Ohio

Talking about shared interests, such as gardening, is a wonderful way to deepen relationships with patients. 

"You Let Your Magic Tortoise Go," David Kopacz. Copyright with the artist.

August 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Finding Balance During Unbalanced Times

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Spending time “going into and opening our hearts” is healing and restorative. We can do this for ourselves as healers and guide patients through the practice. It’s as simple as slowing down, putting your hand on your heart, and taking three deep breaths.

Saint Brides Bay (Bae Sain Ffraid), Pembrokeshire, Wales, Author's Photo.

January 24, 2019 | 4 min read

Cultivating Caring

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Compassion begins with caring for ourselves and working to grow as full human beings. It is not just the lives of our patients that depend on us learning this component of caring, the quality of our own lives depend upon learning this as well.

August 31, 2018 | 1 min read

A Walk in the Woods Keeps the Doctor Away

By Rachel Levine, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The benefits of a walk outside include improved mood, self-awareness, emotional processing and regulation, attentiveness, and sense of well-being, as well as decreased feelings of stress and anxiety. 

June 8, 2020 | 4 min read

How to manage difficult emotions

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes the intensity of our thoughts and emotions can be difficult to manage, especially during stressful times like these. To cope, it can be helpful to recognize, allow, and reflect on our feelings.

"Shamanic Vision." Original painting by the author. Copyright with the author.

April 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Staying Connected Inside and Out During the Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Finding creative ways to connect to ourselves and to others is more important than ever in these days of social distancing.

August 29, 2019 | 2 min read

Mindful Doctoring in the EHR Era

By Irene Estores, MD, University of Florida College of Medicine

Mindfulness is essential in clinical excellence. Consider these five tips while working with the EHR.

untitled, by David Kopacz

July 21, 2022 | 7 min read

Building Cultures of Caring

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

We must care for ourselves to care for others. One great place to start is practicing self-compassion.

August 11, 2025 | 5 min read

The push, the pull, and the leap 

Major career transitions can bring up complex emotions; reflection can guide you toward choices that honor your values. Embrace these changes as opportunities to rediscover purpose and help you better care for patients. 

April 5, 2018 | 5 min read

Remaking Medicine Whole

By Gregory Frichionne, MD, Harvard Medical School

A review of "Whole Person Care: Transforming Healthcare" by Tom Hutchinson, MB, McGill University.

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.

November 29, 2023 | 2 min read

Staying grounded in these times 

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor, Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The news can feel overwhelming. To maintain a sense of well-being while staying informed, limit media consumption and find a mindfulness practice that works for you. 

"Sun Rise," by David Kopacz.

August 8, 2019 | 2 min read

The Circle of Re-Humanizing Medicine

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

We need human-based medicine in conjunction with evidence-based medicine. If we only identify as scientists and not as healers, we risk dehumanizing our patients and ourselves.

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. 

November 20, 2023 | 2 min read

Honoring indigenous culture amid serious illness

By Katie Nelson, PhD(c), MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

We must seek to understand the beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies of all patients and communities. Failing to honor these may erode trust.

The koru is a spiral shape based on the appearance of a new unfurling silver fern frond. It's an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattooing, where it symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. Photo by David Kopacz.

October 18, 2022 | 7 min read

A New Paradigm For Growth 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington, Lucinda Houghton, PhD

As with other traumas, burnout, viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional development, offers a way to expand ourselves as wholehearted healers.

November 27, 2018 | 3 min read

Sleep on it!

By Logan Schneider, MD, Stanford Medicine

Give yourself enough sleep to retain new learning, give better patient care, and help prevent burnout!

Natya Dhrami Foundation for Performing Arts. Copyright with Eswar Avidi.

August 10, 2022 | 3 min read

Storytelling With Hands

By Shreya Srivastava, medical student, Albany Medical College

Exploring Non-Western art forms–like Indian classical dance–can diversify our understanding of the cultural and spiritual roles that body parts can play in healing.

July 11, 2022 | 5 min read

Navigating Power Relations in Healthcare

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

We must be aware of the power we have in relation to our patients. This imbalance must only be used in the service of care.   

November 17, 2025 | 4 min read

Filtering out the noise 

Mindfulness is a clinical tool that allows you to be fully present during patient encounters. Practiced daily, it can improve focus and mitigate burnout. 

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.

October 15, 2025 | 3 min read

Mea culpa 

When speaking with a patient who was upset about the long wait time, I reminded myself to apologize without excuses and center the patient’s reality over my schedule. 

August 25, 2025 | 4 min read

Reset, refocus, relieve  

Mindfulness can be a simple yet powerful tool for patients, especially those feeling anxious or stressed. Here are some tips on how to introduce brief practices to get them started. 

"Planting The Seed of The Heart," by David Kopacz.

September 21, 2021 | 7 min read

How are you . . . really?

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

A helpful practice to connect and understand your patient is to ask, "How are you doing . . . really?” If they’re hesitant to respond, consider sharing something you’ve found stressful lately to open the conversation.

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 25, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Mitigate Imposter Syndrome

By Namrata Walia, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Imposter syndrome can interfere with your ability to care for patients. If these feelings become overwhelming, consider working with a mental health professional.

July 24, 2025 | 1 min read

The healing power of Tai Chi 

Embracing cultural exchange opens new pathways to patient motivation, connection, and healing. Integrating Tai Chi into rehabilitation can transform routine exercises into experiences that foster engagement and well-being. 

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.

July 23, 2025 | 2 min read

Denial difficulties 

Patients are often faced with automatic denials from insurance companies. When advocating for patients, healthcare professionals can stay calm, present facts clearly, and prioritize the patient’s best interests. 

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.

February 11, 2021 | 6 min read

Checklists and Connections

By Neda Frayha, MD, University of Maryland

Take five minutes to connect with a patient with no medical agenda. You may be surprised by how much joy it brings both you and them.

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. 

August 17, 2020 | 1 min read

Top Tips For Starting a New Phase in Your Career

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making time to care for yourself, asking questions, and letting go of perfection can help you successfully navigate a new chapter in your life.

January 19, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Mitigate Compassion Fatigue

By Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD, Cleveland, Ohio

Prioritizing self-care and making an effort to connect with others may prevent burnout and allow us to continue to give clinically excellent care to patients.

July 30, 2020 | 2 min read

Taking a Moment to Pause

By Jareatha Abdul-Raheem, Med Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When hearing disappointing news or encountering stress, making time to step back and reassess may help with coping and gaining perspective.

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.

May 21, 2025 | 3 min read

What a drag it is getting old

If patients ask for benzodiazepines, explain the significant risks and offer safer alternatives—both pharmacologic and especially non-pharmacological. Taking the time to build rapport and form a therapeutic relationship is far more effective than simply prescribing a pill that may cause harm.

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. 

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.

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