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
  • 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

Newly Renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza NW, Washington, D.C., June 2020.

June 30, 2020 | 1 min read

Learning to be Antiracist

By Ashlyn McRae, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must acknowledge the ways in which we have been, and are racist. This will allow us to provide the most equitable care to all of our patients.

August 12, 2020 | 2 min read

Chief Complaint: Racism

By Syeachia Dennis, MD, University of Oklahoma

Patients are increasingly recognizing the impact of racism on their health. We should be prepared to help patients confront this and consider this core to our work to systemically address this public health crisis.

Juneteenth Flag

July 2, 2020 | 4 min read

3 Tips for Dismantling Anti-Black Racism in Academic Medicine

By LaShyra Nolen, Medical Student, Harvard University

White educators and learners must commit to doing the work and educating themselves on how to be antiracist. Black colleagues should not be responsible for educating those around them.

Serena Williams playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon, 2019. Public domain, Wikipedia. Photo by Brian Minkoff, London Pixels.

June 24, 2020 | 1 min read

3 Things You Can do to Fight Racism

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must each take personal responsibility for educating ourselves about racism. Increasing our understanding will allow us to improve health outcomes for all of our patients.

October 12, 2022 | 1 min read

Equity and Inclusion: Beyond The Recognition Phase

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

Increasing the diversity of minority clinicians is a first step in combatting racism in medicine. We must also ensure that curricula are free of stereotypes and bias. 

September 2, 2020 | 4 min read

A Call for Advocacy in Medicine

By Sara Wallam, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Systemic racism is prevalent throughout our society. To dismantle disparities in health outcomes for minority patients, clinicians must advocate for their patients at the local level and for communities on a regional and national scale.

June 3, 2021 | 1 min read

Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Patients

By Frederick Chen, MD, MPH, University of Washington

When caring for AAPI patients during a time of heightened racial violence and discrimination, ask them if they feel safe, supported, and what you can do to help.

The Juneteenth Star.

June 17, 2021 | 5 min read

Lessons from 1865: What clinicians can learn from Juneteenth

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.

May 27, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Patients

By James Wu, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Neurofourier, MD, New York, New York, Yuemei Zhang, MD, University of Washington

Currently, AAPI people are facing a wave of discrimination. Clinicians need to be sensitive to patients’ experience of racism and educate themselves on how to best offer support.

August 7, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Talk About Diversity With Minority Physicians

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Before asking minority colleagues about discrimination, gain their consent first.

September 3, 2020 | 3 min read

See Something, Say Something

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Being an ally for justice to patients and colleagues requires taking action. Doing or saying something, literally anything, when someone is mistreated is better than nothing.

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. 

October 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Rethinking the Routine in the Pursuit of Inclusion

Interprofessional team members bring a rich variety of perspectives about patients that can lead to better whole person care. Using first names among our team helps minimize power differentials.

June 2, 2021 | 4 min read

When “No” to Others Means “Yes” to Yourself

By Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, MD, Wayne State University

Self-care requires the courage to say “no” to things that do not reinforce your self-worth, priorities, and purpose. This will allow you to most effectively serve your patients.

January 28, 2020 | 3 min read

Racism From Patients—an Ethical Dilemma

By Sonal Gandhi, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A cornerstone of clinical excellence is treating all patients with respect and dignity. This is true even when treating those patients who are not respectful to you.

August 19, 2020 | 2 min read

6 ways to address Black mistrust in medicine

By Biosha Jones, MD, Loma Linda University

We must work toward establishing trust with all of our patients instead of assuming it already exists.

May 24, 2022 | 2 min read

The Reflexive Practitioner

By Corliss Wong, MS4, The University of Hong Kong

Our own biases and judgements inevitably affect our care of patients. Deep introspection can help us overcome our prejudices and improve clinical practice. 

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.

May 3, 2021 | 6 min read

Why we Must Learn About Our Patients’ Communities

By Daniel Thomas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Make time to learn about and invest in the community you serve to deepen your connection with patients.

April 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Listening to Every Patient

By Pringl Miller, MD, San Francisco, California

To give clinically excellent care to the patient in front of you, ask yourself: “Am I carefully listening to what the patient is telling me? Am I incorporating what I’ve heard into the care plan?”

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.

May 30, 2019 | 9 min read

Confessions of a Female Doctor who Questions Gender Equity Movements Like TIME’S UP Healthcare

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have to embrace humility and first accept that we have biases, prejudices, and privileges in certain contexts. We must then do the hard work of recognizing when our biases show up in interactions, examine our past experiences that contributed to the development of our biases, and acknowledge the hurt that may be caused by our biases to ourselves and others. If we truly want to stop harassment and create equity, we have to do this emotional work every day. And we should do it to stop harassment and create equity for not just women, but for everyone.

March 26, 2021 | 5 min read

“The Danger of a Single Story”

By Jade Cobern, MD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Margaret Hannah, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Rosemary Hawkins, MS, CCLS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A single narrative creates biases, reinforces stereotypes, and can prevent us from seeing the full potential in ourselves and others. Appreciating multiple stories can deepen and broaden our perspectives.

June 20, 2019 | 2 min read

Be Brave Enough to Start Conversations That Matter

By Manasa Ayyala, MD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

"Between the World and Me" is a must read. At 152 pages, it's a small investment of time that leaves a large impact. I invite you to read this book with the intent to ask curious questions, to be ok feeling uncomfortable, and to continue this important dialogue.

December 11, 2023 | 3 min read

A jagged landscape  

By Jen Nixon, PhD, Cone Health, North Carolina, Kardie Tobb, DO, MS, Cone Health, North Carolina

Navigating the pathway to finding help for patients lacking resources can be challenging. It may be helpful to first focus on listening to and understanding patient barriers to care.

May 2, 2023 | 2 min read

Treating all patients with compassion (archives, 2023)

By Keisha Ray, PhD, McGovern Medical School

Physician bias is one driver of poor health outcomes among Black patients. A commitment to compassion and active listening can combat this trend. 

May 3, 2022 | 5 min read

10 Pearls From Clinician Exemplars

By Ralph Hruban, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have much to learn from those who came before us. One example is working toward equity in healthcare, including fighting sexism and racism. 

March 17, 2021 | 3 min read

Making Unconscious Bias Training Work

By Verna Monson, PhD, Minneapolis, Minnesota

To be an antiracist, you must be aware of your own biases and learn from your missteps. And remember that unconscious bias training is only a starting point for dismantling discrimination.

February 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Giving Respectful Care to All

By Danielle Prentice, DO, Penn State

Respecting patients' stories, leaving preconceived notions at the door, and avoiding insensitive comments are expected professional norms in healthcare.

December 30, 2020 | 4 min read

Grateful For #MedTwitter in 2020 

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Despite physical distancing during the pandemic, Twitter is a platform where clinicians around the world can connect. This reduces feelings of isolation and gives support to many.

Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

January 4, 2021 | 2 min read

No Patient is an Island

By Biosha Jones, MD, Loma Linda University

Acknowledging and engaging with patients’ support system in the clinic or hospital may improve health outcomes.

"Untitled," by David Kopacz.

December 22, 2020 | 3 min read

The New “Normal” For Mental Health in 2021

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Let patients know that it’s ok to feel abnormal in abnormal times.

"Enlightenment," by David Kopacz, 2020.

December 28, 2020 | 6 min read

Medical Activism: A Foundation of Professionalism

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinicians should expand their definition of professionalism to include working for societal change to improve the health of all.

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.

December 29, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From “Diary of a Med Student”

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working in healthcare, we interact with people who can be offensive. A med student reflects on how best to respond to patients who are demeaning.

November 13, 2019 | 4 min read

The Art of Scaffolding Conversations

By Robert Trevino, MD, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin

Scaffolding when communicating is meeting the other person where they are in their understanding. This is essential for healthcare discussions to best meet the needs of our patients.

November 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Prescription for a healthy future—vote!

By Deanna Behrens, MD, Advocate Children\'s Hospital, Elizabeth Mack, MD, Jenna Miller, MD, Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians have a responsibility to advocate for policies that can improve the health of all. We must take our civic responsibility seriously and make a plan to vote. 

June 13, 2019 | 6 min read

How to Talk With a Vaccine Skeptic

By Dharushana Muthulingam, MD, Yale School of Medicine

You cannot treat those who challenge you with contempt. Conversations must be navigated with respect and compassion.

MERIT Health Leadership Academy students, Baltimore, Maryland, author's photo.

February 27, 2019 | 2 min read

The Need for Diversity

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

Our future healthcare workforce must be as diverse as the communities it serves.

December 27, 2018 | 2 min read

“Charm City” Movie Review

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The upcoming film "Charm City" emphasizes that the struggles of each patient who comes to clinic extend far beyond a medical diagnosis. We must be conscious of our patients' many challenges and mindful to address them. Making time to ask about your patient's day-to-day concerns, worries, and fears about their homes, neighborhoods, and communities can help you to get a fuller perspective of their medical and social determinants of health. This will allow you to reach relevant goals of care together.

February 27, 2018 | 2 min read

On Discrimination, Transparency, and Mutual Respect

By Anika Hines, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Patients' past experience with discrimination may influence how they interact with you. Acknowledging this may improve communication and patient care.

November 25, 2024 | 2 min read

Minimizing the risks of teen social media use

By Sarah Radtke, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prioritize open dialogue with patients about social media use, focusing on its impact on mental and emotional well-being. 

American Huey military helicopter formation flying over the jungle at sunset during the Vietnam War.

November 19, 2024 | 2 min read

Fellow humans: lessons from Dr. White’s “Seeing patients” 

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Providing humanistic, equitable care benefits patients, medical practitioners, and society.  Reminding ourselves that we are all in this together may help decrease stigma and bias in clinical settings.

Black piece of paper with word Ageism concept.

November 16, 2023 | 3 min read

How to be anti-ageist

By Timothy Farrell, MD, University of Utah Health

Ageism can impede clinicians from eliciting what matters most to older adults. Practical strategies to oppose such sentiment can be implemented across clinical, research, and policy realms. 

April 11, 2023 | 2 min read

“Can I hold my newborn baby?”

By Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving birth while imprisoned usually occurs under inhumane conditions, with women remaining shackled and not being permitted to hold newborns. This is a reminder that every patient deserves our compassionate and nonjudgmental care. 

December 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Dismantling ableism in medicine

By Kerry Devlin, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC (she/her), Johns Hopkins Medicine

What does it mean to co-construct a plan of care with disabled patients? Their desires may not be what you expect.

November 8, 2022 | 1 min read

Brown Girl Narratives

By Kristal Brown, PhD, MSPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Art can be healing. With this in mind, I brought together the community to paint an uplifting mural. 

January 4, 2022 | 2 min read

Welcome to The No-Judgment Zone

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

After lying to my own doctor because I feared her judgment, I learned to invite all patients to be open and honest. Earning the patient’s trust will allow us to give the best care. 

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
  • Contact
  • Add Your Voice
  • Subscribe
  • Donate

©2025 Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence,  Johns Hopkins Medicine.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy