Ep. 26 Preventing Burnout in Healthcare: Insights with Dr. Gary Simonds

Chakras & Chardonnay

In Episode 26, Maria hosts Dr. Gary Simonds who shares a fresh perspective with his insights into preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. Gary was the founding Chief of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery Residency Program Director at the Carilion Clinic and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, until retiring from clinical Neurosurgery in 2019. He remains a Professor at the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM).

Gary majored in Biochemistry at Dartmouth College then received his medical degree from UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School. He trained in neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and completed a fellowship in Medical Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He also holds a master’s degree in Health Care Delivery Science from the Dartmouth Institute and the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, and is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Gary has performed over 13,500 major neurosurgical procedures of all types and complexities and has treated tens of thousands of patients. He continues to teach undergraduates at Virginia Tech and medical students at VTCSOM, produces educational material for international medical education company Medmastery, and writes a blog for Psychology Today online. His professional passions have included clinical neuroscience, medical education, humanism, science, writing, ethics, medical socioeconomics, and personal wellness. He routinely presents and teaches at various national and international courses and meetings. For the past 14 years, Gary has studied and lectured widely on burnout and resilience. He has written three related books: Building Resilience in Neurosurgical Residents, The Thriving Physician, and Thriving in Healthcare. He has recently released his first novel, a medical/psychological thriller, entitled “Deaths Pale Flag” He is currently working on a coming of age soccer novel “One Happy Accident.”

Residing in North Carolina with his wife of 42 years Cindy and trusty Border Collie Hamish, Gary delves into hobbies like banjo and guitar playing, and even braves the challenge of learning the bagpipes, much to his neighbors' amusement.
The episode concludes with Maria leading a relaxing breathwork practice aimed at fostering resilience.
Featured on this Episode:

To learn more about Dr. Gary Simonds and his work:

https://garyrsimonds.com

https://www.facebook.com/garyrsimonds/

https://twitter.com/garyrsimonds

https://www.instagram.com/garyrsimonds/

https://www.tiktok.com/@garyrsimonds

https://www.pinterest.com/garyrsimonds/

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