Dying med student forced to study with chest cracked open, no hair, no voice, in extreme pain—so he could get a residency →

Pamela, 

I just lost my study partner this morning to cancer. I love him too much to share everything he went through publicly. Maybe he can live on through your blog. 

He was diagnosed with cancer last summer. Had a softball-size tumor taken out of his lung, started chemo and went through hell. The pictures of him are horrifying. He came back to school because another leave of absence may have prevented him from getting a residency. He was beautiful and now he’s gone.

Our med school doesn’t let students recover from accidents or medical conditions without failing them for attendance or making them repeat the term—even though they have A’s. They are abusing the shit out of our class. One of the happiest guys in our class just told me he has been depressed all year. My lab partner, the sweetest human on the planet, tells me she cries in the shower every night.

Now an incredible human is lost. We are all in mourning. Instead of taking care of his body he came back to finish. Please do not share the name or picture, but please share his memory and love for healing. Medical school was more important than his own life. I’m so distraught, angry, and crushed that the system is run in such a way that we can’t get cancer.

After I read your article about a young surgeon who was dismissed from her program when she became ill, I realized you can’t get sick during medical training or this huge investment is taken away. It’s counterintuitive and heartbreaking. This story proves the pressures of residency. Great future doctors choose to continue school rather than fully recover in order to fulfill the timeline in which we must finish. 

It wasn’t a suicide but it kind of was. He should have been home getting treatment. 

I wish I could share more. But he wouldn’t want to be remembered as a victim or as being weak. That is the person he was. Don’t get sick in medical school.

He was here with his chest cracked open, no hair, no voice, and in 10/10 pain. Studying next year’s classes so he wasn’t behind.

~ Chris

P.S. He sent me this in January.

 

Medical student with cancer

 

Facts: A medical school diploma does not allow you to work as a doctor. A residency position is required. In 2016, 35,476 medical school graduates applied for the 30,750 residency positions. That means 4,726 did not match. What happens if you don’t get a residency? Here’s one doctor’s story: I’m a doctor. I’m on Medicaid. I work as a waitress.

Outraged? Here’s how you can help:

Sign this petition to support Dr. Svetlana Kleyman’s return to school.

Support Dr. Stephanie Waggel who was fired for having cancer.

Pamela Wible, M.D., reports on human right violations in medicine. She is a practicing physician in Oregon where she hosts biannual retreats for physicians and medical students to help them heal from their trauma so they can be the healers they were born to be.

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Do flight attendants treat heart attacks? 10 things to know before an airline emergency. →

Airline Emergency

Man collapses at 30,000 feet. Quick, who’s in charge? Hint: it’s not the doctor. Last month, Dr. Tamika Cross was told to sit down when she tried to help an unresponsive man. Why? Apparently the flight attendant was looking for an “actual” medical doctor, not a black woman. Turns out she’s not the only doc making headlines for being turned down in a medical crisis. What in the world is going on up there? I interviewed pilots, flight attendants, and physicians to find out. Here’s what I discovered:

1) A sick passenger can cost an airline $100,000—or more. Think transoceanic diversion to nearest city. Hundreds of grumpy people. All need hotels, meals, new flights. Plus there may be a dead guy on board, a legal investigation, and relatives to notify.

2) Medical kits may be unstocked. Should all FAA-approved flights have oxygen, epinephrine, a functioning defibrillator? Yes. Do they? Not always.

3) Flight attendants are underpaid. Guess how much these smiley greeters are paid to get you blankets, pillows, and help you to your seat. Nothing. They only get paid when the plane is moving. Average starting salary: $18 per flight hour. Yep, they eat airline food, get jet-lagged, and deal with rowdy passengers, terrorists, and medical emergencies—all for $18 per hour. Shocking fact #2: a couple of young pilots told me they also started at $18 per hour. Hauling hundreds of humans at 500 mph. For big bucks pilots fly FedEx cargo. Hauling envelopes.

4) There’s no place to put your body. No gurney. No exam room. No convenient spot to lie down. So you’ll be on the galley floor (like both people I treated on planes).

5) You will disrupt drink service. Not only will your medical crisis be viewed by a bunch of gawkers with cell phones, you may piss off the crew who can’t wheel the snack cart over your body. Trust me. You will be in the way.

6) Flight attendants have limited medical skills. With just a GED or high school diploma, 3-8 weeks of flight training, and some CPR, these folks are handling medical catastrophes in the air. So, yes, the gal who poured your Pepsi may be treating your heart attack.

7) The flight attendant picks your doctor. If three docs respond to the call for help, how do they choose? Pilots, physicians, and passengers agree—pick the most qualified. Can a flight attendant actually judge the skills of an ob/gyn chief resident, an infectious disease fellow, and a retired rheumatologist? Maybe that’s why 70% of flight attendants told me they take the first person who shows up. Unless implicit bias selects the white guy over the black woman who arrives first.

Pamela Wible Airline Emergency

8) The best doctor may be buzzed. Do we go with the sober rheumatologist or the chief resident post-Kahlua? Maybe the best doctor is a Muslim ICU nurse (they don’t drink).

9) Crew may obstruct care until doctor shows “credentials.” Docs don’t carry pocket-sized diplomas, yet crew must see credentials before accessing medical kits. Do you really want a doctor ruffling through her carry on for a hospital badge while you’re on the floor?

10) The doctor may still get sued. Liability varies by country. While the Good Samaritan law “should” protect you in the USA, nothing prevents a passenger (or next of kin) from calling an attorney. Some airlines offer indemnity but only if the crew initiates the call for help (not if doctor proactively offers). Given poor medical outcomes in the friendly skies, do you think the average doc wants to absorb all that liability? 

Frankly, I’m amazed anyone volunteers at all—and actually makes it to the passenger in time. How can two highly regulated industries intersect in such chaos? And what’s the fix?

Besides the obvious (stock medical kits), here’s my advice: 1) Mandate diversity training for crew—led by black female physicians. Contact Artemis Medical Society to schedule. 2) Prescreen for medical credentials. Lufthansa does this. Model what works. 3) Allow medical professionals to assemble themselves. Health care is a team sport.

One final request: please thank any doc who willingly stands up to implicit bias, grabs a half-empty medical kit, and risks personal liability (while on vacation) to save your butt—for no pay!

Now who thinks our medical professionals should board first along with active duty military?

Addendum: Thrilled to announce that as a result of these courageous docs stepping forward, Delta airlines has changed their policies.

Pamela Wible, M.D., is a physician who reports on human rights violations in medicine. Have a story? Contact Dr. Wible.

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Surgeon General’s Warning: Medical school may kill your child. →

Cheryl lost her son Sean to suicide in medical school. Just a few months ago. Her only child. Cheryl didn’t know that medical students were at high risk of suicide—until her son was dead. Nobody warned her.

Sean Petro Medical Student Suicide

Rhonda lost her daughter Kaitlyn to suicide in medical school. Unable to recuperate from the pain of her daughter’s suicide, Rhonda died by suicide one year later. Rhonda didn’t know that medical students were at high risk of suicide—until her daughter was dead. Nobody warned her.

Kaitlyn Elkins Medical Student Suicide

Michele lost her only son Kevin to suicide in medical school last year. Just 3 weeks before he was to graduate. Instead of celebrating her son’s graduation, she attended his funeral. Michele didn’t know that medical students were at high risk of suicide—until her son was dead. Nobody warned her.

Kevin Dietl Medical Student Suicide

I was severely depressed in medical school. I lost both classmates I dated in med school to suicide. Suicide is an occupational hazard for medical students and physicians. Recently, I started a support group for parents who lost their children to suicide during medical training. They all wonder why nobody warned them of the hazards of a medical education. If someone had warned them maybe they could have saved their children’s life.

Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco all come with a Surgeon General’s Warning. Why not medical school? If medical school came with a Surgeon General’s Warning, what would it be? I posed this question to medical professionals. Here’s what they told me.

“I’m an oncologist and this is a package of cigarettes and these cause cancer and you can read that right on the side of the box. It says Surgeon General’s Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer and there are a few other diseases that it causes and they are listed here. And I have a warning for people who may want to go into medicine. This would be my Surgeon General’s Warning to those people: Surgeon General’s Warning: Medical training and the practice of medicine can result in the loss of moral behaviors and expectations. This condition is termed demoralization and can be fatal.” ~ Dawn Lemanne, M.D.

“Medical school may cause poor self care, suicidal ideation, and will complicate pregnancy.” ~ Stephanie Waggel, M.D.

“Medical school could kill your child. [It’s] demands are severely underestimated. Ensure that your child has the ability to do this. Do not ideally assume they are smart and talented and send them off. They may die. Many have.” ~ Andrew Chang, medical student

“Protect your child as they enter this dangerous minefield. 1) Remind them that you love them unconditionally. (No one will be telling them that for many years). 2) Always tell them it’s okay to cry. 3) Call me anytime you want. 4) Venting is vital. 5) You are beautiful.” ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

“Medical school attendance may lead to any of the following: isolation, sleep deprivation, demoralization, stress, anxiety, obesity, alcoholism, drug use, abuse, bullying, emotional detachment, poor relationships, divorce, bankruptcy, sexual harassment, disillusionment, compassion fatigue, self-neglect, unethical behavior, mental fog, chronic conditions, preterm labor, suicide . . .” ~ Maili Velez-Dalla Tor, M.D.

“It will separate you from the people you love, prevent proper bodily functions such as bowel and bladder, cause extreme guilt that you are not doing everything right, and lead to loss of life.” ~ Wendy Schilling, M.D.

“Hypertension, diabetes . . .” ~ Lisa Splitstoesser, M.D.

“Extreme fatigue, denigration of self-worth, trauma, chronic illness, and suck the joy and passion right out of you.” ~ Ana Maria Sierra, Ph.D.

“[these health conditions are] Due to the blatant disregard for your own mental and physical wellbeing. It [the abuse] is perpetrated by your supervisors and administrators while you hold the weight of the world on your shoulders.” ~ Sangita Pillai, M.D.

“Surgeon General’s Warning: Residency may cause a psychotic break in previously healthy people.” ~ Kayla Luhrs, M.D.

“Is likely to cause loss of compassion, libido, health, wellness, sleep, close relationships, and overall joie de vivre. Apply at your own risk.” ~ David Kwon, D.O.

Informed consent is required in medicine. Everyone deserves to be informed of not only the health risks of using tobacco; they also must be informed of the health hazards inherent in the medical profession. Do you agree?

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Pamela Wible, M.D., reports on human rights violations in medicine. She is the author of Physician Suicide Letters—Answered. Her TEDMED talk “Why doctors kill themselves” addresses the hidden medical culture of bullying, hazing, and abuse that endangers physicians—and patients. She hosts biannual retreats for medical students and physicians to help them heal from the trauma of medical training. Depressed Struggling?  Contact Dr. Wible for help. Video by GeVe.

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Our town lost 8 doctors to suicide. Here’s why. (Dinner & documentary with Dr. Wible) →

Jumping off hospital rooftops, hanging themselves in janitorial closets, overdoing on drugs—our doctors are dying by suicide. Why? 

Join us Friday, November 11 at Tsunami Books in Eugene, Oregon, for a marvelous Mediterranean dinner to celebrate Dr. Wible’s book, Physician Suicide Letters—Answered, and take a sneak peek at the forthcoming documentary on our physician suicide crisis.

Two-time Emmy winner Robyn Symon has investigated the hidden medical crisis in her film, DO NO HARM. In this poignant preview, you’ll meet medical students and families of physicians touched by suicide who come out of the shadows to expose the silent epidemic and the hidden medical culture of bullying, hazing, and abuse that kills doctors—and patients.

Join Dr. Wible, a local physician and national leader on physician suicide and human rights violations in medicine, for an unforgettable evening. View her TEDMED talk here and DO NO HARM trailer.

Enjoy lively conversation while feasting on an organic Mediterranean dinner catered by Park Street Cafe featuring handmade dolmas, spanakopita, hummus, baba ganoush, tapanade, bruschetta, crostinis, quinoa tabouleh, unusual one-of-a-kind veggie platter, assorted fun drinks, and more. Please RSVP here so we’ll have enough food for you.

Plus grab your autographed copy of Dr. Wible’s latest banned book (yes, she’s written two banned books), Physician Suicide Letters—Answered. Now—for the first time released to the public—read private letters and last words from our doctors who could no longer bear the pain of an abusive medical system. What you don’t know about medical training and culture can kill you. Join Dr. Wible and the Eugene community for an evening behind the white coat and into the mind, heart, and soul of our doctors—and get all your questions answered. Listen to KLCC interview about event.

When: Friday, November 11 at 7:00 pm

Where: Tsunami Books (2585 Willamette St.)

What: DO NO HARM film preview (30-minute film and book signing)

Click here to RSVP 

Dr. Wible on doctor suicide at Tsunami Books

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Doctor’s secret: how I quit my job, lost 125 pounds & had a 4-day orgasm →

“Two years ago I did stand in front of this camera and I explained that I had arrived at Breitenbush and I had experienced a four-day orgasm. [October, 2014] I just experienced a four-day orgasm at Breitenbush Hot Springs at Dr. Pamela Wible’s retreat. [Fast forward October, 2016 and 125 pound lighter!] So how can I not come back for more of that? So since the week of the four-day orgasm, I left my job, I opened my own clinic with my husband. Our life is totally different than it used to be. I’m healthy. I’m happy. I’m a better doctor.”  ~ Keely Wheeler, D.O.

“I’ve known for my whole life that I wanted to open an ideal medical clinic (I just didn’t know that’s what we were gonna call it) and I have been fighting against corporate medical America since I was twelve.” ~ Rachel Brennan, D.O.

“Corporate medicine has sucked the soul out of American doctors for too long and if you are enraged, you’re right! The requirements of corporate medicine for doctors to see more patients in shorter amounts of time is not only unethical, it should be illegal. It is your responsibility as a physician, as a human being, to stand up for what is good and right and ethical in the treatment and care of your patients.”  ~ Kat Lopez, M.D.

“I was given permission for the first time in my life.” ~  Rachel Brennan, D.O.

“Give yourself permission to be an adult and live your dream.”  ~ Juliet Asher, M.D.   

“I was so empowered here and I was just unleashed. I was made free.” ~ Rachel Brennan, D.O.

“One year ago when I came here I was on the verge of ending my medical career forever.” ~ Yami Lancaster. D.O.

“What comes in here is a big lie that we have been told from day one regarding the impossibility of doing our own thing, going out alone as a practitioner, or starting our own business.” ~ Kat Lopez, M.D.

“We are living under a set of bullsh*t rules.”  ~ Yami Lancaster. D.O.

“I remember my boss telling me several months ago with all the new government regulations coming down that we just need to accept it and learn to fit all this into our current workday.” ~ Kelley Stahl, M.D.

“if you’re a doctor or a patient or a medical student, I just want to let you know that you’ve been lied to.” ~ Maili Velez-Dalla Tor, M.D.

“And we’ve been told very clearly over and over again from the beginning before we were ever empowered to think about it that it was impossible, that we could not make a living in that way. That is a blatant lie and Dr. Pamela Wible has from the ground up built a life and now a movement of doctors who can show you that, yes, like Joe and Mary down the street running their own nail salon, hair salon, people without even a high school diploma can run successful small businesses, have the relationship-based clientele that they’ve been longing for, feed their families, and be wonderful members of their community. It’s not rocket science and your education, training, and now corporate positions have disempowered you systematically and it is time to connect with your inner rage and frustration, stand up, and refuse to take it any longer,” ~ Kat Lopez, M.D.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore.” ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.   

“We have a problem.” ~ David Kwon, D.O.

“The current system is abusive. It hurts patients. It hurts doctors and it kills us.” ~ Wendy Schilling, M.D.

“You should exercise more. Do more yoga.” ~ Maili Velez-Dalla Tor, M.D.

“When’s the last time you did something healthy that you told your patients to do? When’s the last time you went for a walk? When’s the last time you did yoga?” ~ Wendy Schilling, M.D.

“There’s no yoga or amount of exercise in the world that is going to remove a bad situation.”  ~ Maili Velez-Dalla Tor, M.D.

“We’ve sat on our butts, all of us, and we’ve just taken it.” ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

“I think it was like a 90-hour work week so it was minimum wage so I thought that was just the way it was going to be.”  ~ Lisa Shea Roberts, F.N.P.

“We’re slaves.” ~ Maili Velez-Dalla Tor, M.D.

“I was actually told that I was too thorough in the 10-minute appointments so it wasn’t working and I was looking at bank teller jobs.” ~ Lisa Shea Roberts, F.N.P.

“It is impossible to provide good care within 15 or 20 minutes.” ~ Taylor Brana, medical student

“I went into medical school really thinking, ‘Yeah! I’m gonna be a healer!’” ~ Sara Modlin, medical student

“I had this ideal image of just being a relationship-based individual wanting to help anyone who came my way and just providing healing. And then I come to medical school and I sit in a chair all day and I’m told a bunch of information. I am not actually learning. I’m just told to memorize all of this stuff.”  ~ Taylor Brana, medical student

“You’re allowed to be happy.” ~ Sara Modlin, medical student

“Please send this to other doctors and let them know that they are allowed to be happy doctors. They are allowed to spend time with their patients and laugh and hug them and tell them that they love them. That’s okay.” ~ Yami Lancaster. D.O.

“This miracle called Dr. Pamela Wible snuck into my life three years ago and said, ‘Yah, come on. Join us!’” ~ Ana Maria Sierra, Ph.D.

“You can change things one person at a time. And that’s what Breitenbush has taught me. Everybody can change the world and Pamela Wible is the one person who made me start to believe that. She is crazy enough to make you believe . . .”  ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

“Pamela has demonstrated through her books and all her crazy accomplishments that each of us has the power to change the world.” ~ Cindy Lay, premedical high school student

“She has and she’s done it one person, one doctor, exponentially has spread amongst all these people and makes you believe . . .”   ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

“The people who change the world are the ones who are crazy enough to think they can.” ~ Cindy Lay, premedical high school student

“Somebody has to light that fire and she’s done it. One doctor has made us all believe we can change the world.”  ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

“You can just do it! It doesn’t matter your age. It doesn’t matter what experience you have. It doesn’t matter if you have a license or not.” ~ Cindy Lay, premedical high school student

“So start Googling Pamela Wible. Start reading her blog posts and ultimately sign up to come through the telecourse and the retreat at Breitenbush where you can truly heal your own soul from some of the ravages that the medical system as wrought upon you and allow you to become the healer, practitioner, and business owner that you always dreamed of being.” ~ Kat Lopez, M.D.

“One doctor at a time can take back our career.” ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

So whether you are a pre-clerkship student an you are completely overwhelmed by the amount of material you need to memorize or you are on your rotations and you’re secretly sneaking off to cry in the bathroom because you are being abused . . .” ~ Rebecca Coish, M.D.

“There is hope. Don’t feel bad because you don’t like your job. Don’t feel like there’s something wrong with you. The problem is that you are not living your authentic life. Let your light shine bright as you want it to be. Come to Breitenbush and be a naked vegetarian hippie with us for a few days.” ~ Yami Lancaster. D.O.

“For anyone who is concerned about attending a vegetarian hippie naked retreat at Breitenbush, I’m not a vegetarian. I thought I was going to be hungry. I have not been hungry. I feel healthy. My chronic headache is gone. I’ve been pooping well without my fish oil probiotic.” ~ Kelley Stahl, M.D.

“Come here. Be with Dr. Wible who is the Martin Luther King of medicine and get out of your little slave ship. Jump ship. Swim to shore.” ~ Dawn Lemanne, M.D.

“There are other doctors in this world who are not going to drag me down, but literally, emotionally, and physically (as you guys did) you lifted me up and that was so refreshing to me.” ~ Stephanie Waggel, M.D.

“I had set my vacation up for this particular year ahead of time because I knew that I was possibly coming to this retreat so I got someone to cover my Epic inbasket . . .” Christina Ma, M.D. 

“If you find yourself in a little cubicle swearing at a computer most of your day, that’s not medicine.” ~ Nancy Noyce, M.D.

“You may be in this job where you think it’s gonna get better or you think maybe if I just worked harder that I would be able to make this work. It ain’t gonna happen! Like if you’re gonna be busting your ass and working that hard you need to get out on your own and do it for you, do it for your patients. Right now all you’re doing is supporting all the suits that are in your corporation and they’re driving their BMW and whatever else. The people who generate revenue in medicine are the physicians, the healers, the nurses, the people who are working with patients. All you are doing is funding a salary for a suit who’s main job is to boss you around and tell you how to practice. Now tell me how does that make any sense at all? You need to get off of your stupid EMR. I know you’re charting. It’s like midnight right now. Or probably your husband is bringing you fast food to the clinic because you couldn’t make it home. You need to just shut the EMR down. Go home. Write your letter of resignation and go open your ideal clinic NOW.” ~ Keely Wheeler, D.O.

“If you are really scared to open your own practice this is what you do. Right before you get here (you can do it before you fly on the plane but if you are really scared pull of into the gas station right before Breitenbush) write a little email or letter to your boss and give them your 30-day notice. Then you might feel really panicky so quickly drive down into Breitenbush and you’ll be met by the most supportive group of doctors and health care providers that you can even imagine meeting. They’ll inspire you to open your own clinic. They will show you exactly how to do it.” ~ Kayla Luhrs, M.D.

“I beg you, please come here. It will be the best thing that you ever do for your entire life. Please, please, please come here.”  ~ Annmarie Ray, M.D.

Okay! Let’s recap: 3 steps to quit your job

1) Write your letter of resignation at this Oregon gas station. 

2) Soak in the hot springs (as you plan your dream job). 

3) Celebrate with your new best friends! 

Doctors quit their jobsDoctor quits jobDoctors opens clinic

Enjoy the benefits: 1) Lose 125 pounds on the “I love my job” diet. 2) Eat and poop normally. 3) Your chronic headaches disappear. 4) No more charting on the EMR at midnight. 5) No more sneaking into bathroom at work to cry. 6) Have a four-day orgasm. Are you ready? 

Mark your calendar for 2017!

Spring retreat: May 2-6

Summer retreat: August 27-31

Fall retreat: October 15-19

To get on the list,  contact Dr. Wible now.

Doctor Keely Wheeler loses 125 pounds

Pamela Wible, M.D., is a solo doc in her ideal clinic designed entirely by her patients. She loves inspiring others to open their ideal clinics too! Grab your free guide to launching your ideal clinic.

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