The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned. Wisdom Shared.

In this month's episode of "The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared", Dr. Thomas White talks with Dr. Alisa Nance, former President of the NCAFP. Dr. Nance describes her upbringing in Mooresville N.C., her role models, and what helped her establish a successful practice in her hometown. Known as an excellent educator and lecturer, Dr. Nance shares how her communication skills in the exam room translated to her comfort and effectiveness in the CME setting. You will also hear, based on her very personal experience, Dr. Nance's advice for physicians who may develop their own illness and need to navigate the health care system themselves. This episode is definitely worth a careful listen! 

In this month’s edition of “The Family Doctor”, Dr. Lee Beatty continues his interview with Dr. Mark Robinson, family physician, scholar, and co-founder of the innovative Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program in Concord and surrounding communities.Dr. Robinson describes his experience as a patient, and how that experience has shaped his approach to medical care and teaching.  Now retired, he colorfully lists those aspects of practice that he misses the most, and the least.And listeners should not miss Dr. Robinson's "Lessons Learned", clinical pearls of wisdom that will add joy, wonder, and humanity to the practice of every Family Doctor.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Karen Smith, who has spent her entire career in rural eastern North Carolina in the small town of Raeford.  Dr. Smith is a past NCAFP President, a past NCAFP and AAFP Family Physician of the Year, and is now on the AAFP Board of Directors.  Don't miss this inspiring episode.  

This is a special edition of “ The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared”.  We present a tribute to the late Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown of Charlotte. Four physician colleagues who knew OGB over the span of her career share how they first met her, what made her special, and what lessons they learned from her. Dr. Garmon-Brown was a truly remarkable family physician and health care leader. But beyond that, she was a noble human being. As a community servant and advocate, an ordained pastor, a missionary, and a devoted wife and mother, Ophelia blessed and elevated the lives of everyone around her. We are honored to share these memories of our friend and colleague, Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown. 

In this month’s edition of “The Family Doctor”, Dr. Lee Beatty interviews Dr. Mark Robinson, family physician, scholar, and co-founder of the innovative Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program in Concord and surrounding communities. If you are an aspiring physician, a resident in training, or a practicing family doctor looking to recharge your clinical batteries, this is the podcast for you.Dr. Robinson reminds us that the enthusiasm of our student years can be maintained, or rekindled, with healthy doses of curiosity, compassion, and gratitude. He introduces us to the concept of servant-leadership, a virtuous code of conduct and communication which is a natural fit for family physicians. And you will love Dr. Robinson’s description of family doctors as the most adaptable, resilient, and indispensable cells in the Body of Medicine.

In this month’s edition of “The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared”, Dr. Thomas White talks with the legendary Dr Mel Pinn. If you are not familiar with Dr Pinn and his career, you absolutely need to listen to this interview! You will hear about his growing up in segregated Lynchburg Virginia, his title of “the best marbles shooter ever”, and his career as a collegiate tennis star. Dr, Pinn is also  a military veteran, and former NCAFP and AAFP Family Physician of the Year, Dr Pinn served as Medical Director of the Neighborhood Family Health Center in Charlotte NC for years, caring for patients and families who previously had very limited access to the health care system. In this podcast, you will learn about the oldest hospital in the country devoted to serving African-American patients, and what well-known landmark now stands on its original grounds. You will be inspired by Dr Pinn’s sense of commitment to community, his nonjudgmental approach to patients, and his admonition that we as Family Physicians should “fight” for our patients and participate in the political process on their behalf. There is much to be unpacked here! Listen and benefit!  In this edition, we also respectfully pay tribute to our friend, colleague, and role model, Dr Ophelia Garmon-Brown, who passed away after a long fight with cancer on November 17 2021. 

One year ago, The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared podcast was launched. This month, Greg Griggs, the CEO and Executive Vice-President of the NCAFP, speaks with Dr Thomas White, one of the creators and Moderator of the podcast. Hear Dr White share  how the podcast originated (in the floor of his mother's kitchen!), what lessons he took away from each of the physicians interviewed to date, and what he and Dr. Beatty plan for the next year. This review will no doubt motivate you to re-listen to the past year's episodes, and continue to listen in the coming months. 

Dr White’s guest this month on The Family Doctor Podcast is Dr Maureen Murphy, a Family Physician from Concord NC and a popular mentor of many medical students and residents throughout her career. Dr Murphy is a Past President of the NCAFP, and a recipient of the NCAFP Family Physician of the Year Award, as well as the AAFP Family Physician of the Year. In this podcast, Dr Murphy shares her journey from athlete and sportswriter to the field of Family Medicine and her career as a community Family Physician and residency faculty. You will laugh and you will cry as she tells stories from her days practicing medicine and from her personal health experiences. You will understand why and how she has positively influenced the lives and careers of so many. Lessons Learned and Wisdom Shared by another amazing Family Physician! 

In this episode, Dr Thomas White talks with Dr Tommy Newton from Clinton NC, a former NCAFP President and NCAFP Family Physician of the Year.  Dr Newton shares the lessons he learned from his childhood and his years in practice, providing very practical advice for effectual doctor- patient interactions and healthy lifestyle tips for the busy physician. You will be moved by this wise, insightful, and expressive Family Physician. Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Thomas White talks to Dr Jim Jones, a North Carolina Family Physician, former President of the NCAFP and the AAFP,  and former Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Often referred to as the “Godfather  of Family Medicine in North Carolina”, Dr Jones shares in this podcast the impact of his faith, the challenges he overcame and barriers he broke as a Native American, stories from his years in practice in Jacksonville NC (including a case you will not forget!), and his efforts to further Family Medicine in his state and nationally.  You will hear lessons you will not forget, and you will be wiser for listening to this Legend of Family Medicine. 

Dr. Thomas White talks to Dr. Lee Beatty, a Family Physician retired from years of practice in his hometown of Mount Holly in Gaston County, North Carolina.   Dr Beatty discusses his love of his hometown, the joys and challenges of Family Medicine, his mentors and medical heroes, and his lessons learned after 40 years caring for his friends and neighbors, including the sanctity of each patient encounter and how teamwork and servant-leadership are essential tools for today’s family doctor. Finally, Dr. Beatty shares an important message about avoiding and treating physician burnout, an occupational hazard that affects many in our caring profession. 

"The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared" is back, and you will be the beneficiary! In this episode Dr Thomas White talks with Dr Shauna Guthrie, a Family Physician in Henderson NC and former President of the NCAFP. You will love hearing about her very famous grandfather and dedicated grandmother, and their contributions to medicine and health care in the Midwest. You will be reminded of the critical role we as Family Physicians play in the advocacy issues of the day, and the importance of forming relationships with local elected officials and other decision makers. You will be inspired by her commitment to her community, particularly during the pandemic, and as we continue to battle the opioid crisis. And you will be motivated to emulate her philosophy of "walking alongside of the patient" and serving as their trusted "consultant." Enjoy, and benefit! 

Pearls are considered synonymous with beauty and perfection. Pearls are coveted and considered valuable. In this month's podcast, Dr Thomas White shares "clinical pearls" gleaned from wise colleagues, pearls intended to help us be better clinicians in the exam room and at the bedside. You will find this episode to be both practical and inspiring. Listen, reflect, and add these to your "peripheral brain"! 

This month Dr White talks with Dr Bill Dennis, a now-retired Family Physician from Henderson NC. Hear Dr Dennis's fond memories of his childhood, his career role models, his first career as a journalist, and his determined achievement of a life's goal to become a physician. You will appreciate his sense of humor, his storytelling, and his deep appreciation of serving as the personal physician for his friends and neighbors in his hometown. Dr Dennis is yet another example of the truly admirable and inspiring Family Physicians with which our state has been blessed! 

This month Dr Thomas White talks with another one of his mentors and role models - Dr. Christopher "Reb" Snyder. This is a very honest, heart-felt, introspective conversation, which will assist all physicians in their personal journey to be present for their patients, to provide comfort when needed, and to care for themselves and avoid the all-too-common tragedy of professional "burn-out." Listen, and re-listen closely, learn, and apply to your professional life. The lessons shared in this episode, and the wisdom imparted, are invaluable. 

In this episode of "The Family Doctor," we chat with Dr. William Hedrick, who recently retired after 61 years in practice in the same location in Raleigh. Listen as we learn about Dr. Hedrick's journey into family medicine, and how he developed his own "residency" with training in internal medicine, OB-Gyn, psychiatry, and pediatrics before the advent of actual Family Medicine residency programs. You will also hear Dr. Hedrick's perspective on the changes in medicine over his six decades of service to patients, including the fight to gain recognition and acceptance of Family Medicine as a specialty, the introduction of insurance and the electronic health record into the practice of medicine, and the loss of independence among physicians. This is a not-to-be-missed documentary! 

How does the Family Physician make an effective referral? How does the Family Physician create and foster beneficial relationships with subspecialty colleagues in the medical community? How do we negotiate with our patients regarding consultations? What is the role of office staff to facilitate referrals? How have these issues changed over the years? In this month's podcast, Drs White and Beatty draw on their experiences in practice to share their perspectives on this critical yet often overlooked topic. You will hear about such forgotten historical oddities as the "doctor's lounge", "physician-to-physician conversations," and the "fax machine" - and how family Physicians practicing today might draw lessons from the best practices of yesteryears, and develop strategies relevant to today's environment. Sit back, drive, or better yet, walk, as you listen and learn. We welcome your own pearls and feedback at thefamilydoctorpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you! 

In May of 2023, Family Medicine lost a friend, a mentor, a leader, a trailblazer, a remarkable human being.  Dr. Jim Jones was a respected community family doctor who practiced full scope medical care, a revered educator instrumental in establishing the medical school at East Carolina University, and a leader in both North Carolina and American Family Medicine.  In short, Dr. Jim Jones was a giant of Family Medicine.  We family doctors are here because of Dr. Jones.Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Jim's boyhood hero, once said that the purpose of human life is to serve, to show compassion and the will to help others.  Dr. Jones lived, practiced, and taught those ideals.It is important that Family Medicine remembers and honors the solid bedrock on which we have built our house.  Dr. Jones, we will "Go Forth, and Do Well."

You want passion? You got it in this month's edition of The Family Doctor: Lessons Learned, Wisdom Shared." Hear Dr White talk with Dr Conrad Flick who practices in Raleigh and serves as Co-President and Co-Medical Director of Community Care Physician Network (CCPN) in North Carolina. Dr Flick is a former President of the NCAFP and former Board Member of the AAFP. Medical students and residents just beginning their careers and contemplating their futures will be particularly motivated by Dr Flick's love for patient care and the virtues of Family Medicine. Thank you for listening and for sharing with your friends and colleagues! 

In this episode of "The Family Doctor”, Dr. Thomas White talks with Dr. R.W. "Chip" Watkins, former President of the NCAFP and current Senior Regional Medical Director for Community Care of North Carolina. Dr Watkins has had a remarkably diverse Family Medicine career - laboratory medical director, integrative medicine practitioner, medical educator, and advocate for independent community-based family physicians.  He draws on his childhood and professional experiences to share invaluable lessons on caring for patients, family, and oneself. You will enjoy hearing from this multi-talented and engaging Family Physician!