Episode 111: Discovering Wellness and Building a Supportive Medical Culture
Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!
In this episode our host Dr. Sarah Smith is joined by Dr. Susannah Ward, a rehabilitation specialist with a deep commitment to wellness in medicine. Dr. Ward shares her journey through the challenges of the public health system in Australia, her discovery of holistic wellness practices like yoga, and her advocacy for a nurturing and diverse medical culture. Together, they explore the importance of self-awareness, acceptance, and adaptive self-care in creating sustainable clinical practices.
Dr. Ward's insights offer valuable perspectives on cultivating resilience and wellness among healthcare professionals, as well as her ongoing work to improve workplace culture through initiatives such as retreats and her book, "Mastering Real Wellness." Join us to hear how Dr. Ward is making strides towards a more supportive and inclusive medical environment.
Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:
- Personalized Wellness: Dr. Ward emphasizes the significance of personalized wellness practices in medicine, advocating for mindfulness and holistic approaches like yoga to cultivate self-compassion, discipline, and mastery.
- Transforming Medical Culture: There is a pressing need for nurturing and inclusive environments within healthcare settings. Dr. Ward highlights successful initiatives focusing on improving relationships, ensuring psychological safety, and fostering diversity and inclusion.
- Empowering Diversity and Self-Acceptance: By understanding and embracing neurodiversity, and acknowledging various strengths and challenges, healthcare professionals can design careers that align with personal values, fostering both professional success and personal satisfaction.
Dr. Susannah Ward Bio:
Dr. Susannah Ward is a Specialist Physician of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was awarded the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) fellowship Basmajian Prize in 2018. She has a special interest in well-being and is passionate about holistic health. She has been involved in research piloting wellness and mindfulness sessions in hospitals and was awarded the Advancement in Medicine Grant with Avant in 2018. She enjoys medical writing with several publications on health professional wellness and is a published author of the self-help book Mastering Real Wellness.
In addition to her clinical work, she founded Ataraxia Collective, a health and wellness business offering doctor CPD & well-being retreats, well-being workshops and a blog. She is an accredited yoga teacher RYT200 with Yoga Alliance. She was a board director for the RACP 2016-2018 and is the Chair of the Member Health & Wellbeing Committee (RACP) & director for Mood Active a NFP that promotes exercise as a mental health intervention. Dr Ward hopes to encourage a compassionate and mindful medical culture that supports holistic health for patients and health professionals.
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