Des Shapiro is a physician with a 40-plus year career in medicine and an incredible legacy under his belt. He’s also my Dad and I’m delighted to have him join me for the 100th episode. We discuss finding joy in medicine, being a Foreign Medical Graduate, and the extraordinary manner in which he always put patients at the center.
Key Learnings
A few words to celebrate Episode 100 of Explore The Space podcast
The 4 Pillars of Explore The Space
What the future holds for the podcast
Introducing the guest for Episode 100, my father Des Shapiro
How Des started his journey into medicine and starting medical school at 16
Realizing early on that medicine was a calling and never looking back
A crazy story about handwashing and the world’s first heart transplant
The impact of a commitment to observation, physical exam and narration in becoming an excellent physician and elevating connection to patients
Ensuring the beauty and importance of holding a patient’s hand as connection, as exam, and as a privilege
Sharing concerns around Foreign Medical Graduates being targets for derision and the importance of welcoming physicians to the United States
What was exhilarating and what was scary about building a life as a physician?
Possessing the ability to feel what patients are feeling in a manner that is sustainable while avoiding compassion fatigue
The single most important lever that both physicians and patients have a responsibility to pull and protect.
A pathway for finding joy with every patient encounter and in the practice of medicine
The importance of evolving as a physician and seeking to understand new challenges like physician burnout
Crowning achievements in his career and how fun it is when I see one of his previous patients
The most important lesson I learned from my Dad and an incredible story to illustrate the point
Reiterating a recurrent theme on Explore The Space: physician as activist