Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

On International Women’s Day 2018, here’s an old cartoon from my rejection collection as a salute to all of the sheroes out there breaking barriers for women…

How Long?

I have nothing funny this week… only an image and a question: “How long?” From NEJM, Firearm-Related Injury and Death: A Public Health Crisis From JAMA, Death by Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis

Empathy: The Throw Pillow Rule of Thumb…

N. Gray, MD I’ve definitely said my share of words that weren’t helpful in fragile moments with people who were suffering. Learning to be present without pity, preaching, or patronizing is an art that requires the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and hear your words with their ears. I find I’ve rarely […]

A new year and that warm, fuzzy feeling of paying maintenance of certification fees…

I know that the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) is working to respond to continued concerns about the costs and burdens of their maintenance of certification (MOC) program, but after spending more than $3,000 on initial certification (for primary and specialty boards) when I started out, the annual fee requirements to continue to “participate” […]

How do YOU discuss Code Status? Cartoons of Common Traps

N. Gray, MD I have witnessed many code status discussions — good, bad, and ugly. Here is a smattering of the “not-so-pretty” code conversation patterns. Keep reading to the end for a suggestion on a better approach… The Menu: This approach leaves patients to pick from an overwhelming array of interventions (pressors, shocks, tubes), some of […]

That Time Again…

Tired and yearning…

The Five Stages of Consult Grief

Prague and Vienna in Pencil and Ink

I kept myself from cartoon “work” while traveling, but found lots of great fodder for sketching and inking to keep me busy during our train rides…

The Intern Spectrum – Cowboy or Cornered Cat?

I don’t claim to be an expert on medical training, but here’s my diagram of the intern spectrum. It’s been 8 years since I walked into the hospital as an intern, and I’m still searching for that sweet spot myself. To new doctors out there, err on the side of caution… confidence will come later! […]