Stefan Kertesz
@stefankertesz.bsky.social
Across all fields, bad leadership is common, with 50% of Americans leaving a job because of a bad boss. Medicine is no exception.
In our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast, we detail our experiences and analysis of bad medical leadership and what we can do about it.
pod.link/healer/episo...
In our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast, we detail our experiences and analysis of bad medical leadership and what we can do about it.
pod.link/healer/episo...
January 20, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Across all fields, bad leadership is common, with 50% of Americans leaving a job because of a bad boss. Medicine is no exception.
In our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast, we detail our experiences and analysis of bad medical leadership and what we can do about it.
pod.link/healer/episo...
In our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast, we detail our experiences and analysis of bad medical leadership and what we can do about it.
pod.link/healer/episo...
January 11, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast, 2025
States databases monitor our patients' opioid prescriptions.
Our guest suggests this how law enforcement smuggled its logic into the heart of medicine
Are we "caring" for patients or "policing" them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
States databases monitor our patients' opioid prescriptions.
Our guest suggests this how law enforcement smuggled its logic into the heart of medicine
Are we "caring" for patients or "policing" them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast, 2025
States databases monitor our patients' opioid prescriptions.
Our guest suggests this how law enforcement smuggled its logic into the heart of medicine
Are we "caring" for patients or "policing" them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
States databases monitor our patients' opioid prescriptions.
Our guest suggests this how law enforcement smuggled its logic into the heart of medicine
Are we "caring" for patients or "policing" them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast, 2025
Assisted dying/Euthanasia
Our guest took her husband to die, in Switzerland, and wrote about it.
With us, she grappled seriously with our concerns on the ethics of involving doctors in this activity.
pod.link/healer/episo...
Assisted dying/Euthanasia
Our guest took her husband to die, in Switzerland, and wrote about it.
With us, she grappled seriously with our concerns on the ethics of involving doctors in this activity.
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 31, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast, 2025
Assisted dying/Euthanasia
Our guest took her husband to die, in Switzerland, and wrote about it.
With us, she grappled seriously with our concerns on the ethics of involving doctors in this activity.
pod.link/healer/episo...
Assisted dying/Euthanasia
Our guest took her husband to die, in Switzerland, and wrote about it.
With us, she grappled seriously with our concerns on the ethics of involving doctors in this activity.
pod.link/healer/episo...
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast
The women who entered US medicine from the 1940s to the 1970s had a tough time.
There was plenty of sexism.
But many interviewed by Dr. Walling found joy in what they accomplished.
A nuanced take!
pod.link/healer/episo...
The women who entered US medicine from the 1940s to the 1970s had a tough time.
There was plenty of sexism.
But many interviewed by Dr. Walling found joy in what they accomplished.
A nuanced take!
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Highlights from On Becoming a Healer podcast
The women who entered US medicine from the 1940s to the 1970s had a tough time.
There was plenty of sexism.
But many interviewed by Dr. Walling found joy in what they accomplished.
A nuanced take!
pod.link/healer/episo...
The women who entered US medicine from the 1940s to the 1970s had a tough time.
There was plenty of sexism.
But many interviewed by Dr. Walling found joy in what they accomplished.
A nuanced take!
pod.link/healer/episo...
End of the Year Highlights from On Becoming a Healer Podcast:
There are hundreds of Youtube videos with titles along the lines of "Why I quit medicine"
Many are from medical students and trainees
What the heck can we learn from them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
There are hundreds of Youtube videos with titles along the lines of "Why I quit medicine"
Many are from medical students and trainees
What the heck can we learn from them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
End of the Year Highlights from On Becoming a Healer Podcast:
There are hundreds of Youtube videos with titles along the lines of "Why I quit medicine"
Many are from medical students and trainees
What the heck can we learn from them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
There are hundreds of Youtube videos with titles along the lines of "Why I quit medicine"
Many are from medical students and trainees
What the heck can we learn from them?
pod.link/healer/episo...
Ending the year, I'm sharing a few of our "On Becoming a Healer" podcasts that drew particularly strong reactions
- poetry episode-
From a doctor:
The concept of “physicians having to hold patients at arm's length” was so evocative of many clinical encounters"
pod.link/healer/episo...
- poetry episode-
From a doctor:
The concept of “physicians having to hold patients at arm's length” was so evocative of many clinical encounters"
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Ending the year, I'm sharing a few of our "On Becoming a Healer" podcasts that drew particularly strong reactions
- poetry episode-
From a doctor:
The concept of “physicians having to hold patients at arm's length” was so evocative of many clinical encounters"
pod.link/healer/episo...
- poetry episode-
From a doctor:
The concept of “physicians having to hold patients at arm's length” was so evocative of many clinical encounters"
pod.link/healer/episo...
Reposted by Stefan Kertesz
In “Poem for Dr__”, Anya Silver, who died of cancer, describes the sterile detachment of her MD. She imagines pulling stoppers off tubes of blood and pouring them down the front of her gown.
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 PM
In “Poem for Dr__”, Anya Silver, who died of cancer, describes the sterile detachment of her MD. She imagines pulling stoppers off tubes of blood and pouring them down the front of her gown.
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
The ideal “old guy” touch in épée fencing is this
When fencing people 40 years younger
“Move less than them”
I am on the right.
I see the underside of my opponent’s hand. Green light = touch
Slow-mo offered
When fencing people 40 years younger
“Move less than them”
I am on the right.
I see the underside of my opponent’s hand. Green light = touch
Slow-mo offered
December 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The ideal “old guy” touch in épée fencing is this
When fencing people 40 years younger
“Move less than them”
I am on the right.
I see the underside of my opponent’s hand. Green light = touch
Slow-mo offered
When fencing people 40 years younger
“Move less than them”
I am on the right.
I see the underside of my opponent’s hand. Green light = touch
Slow-mo offered
In “Poem for Dr__”, Anya Silver, who died of cancer, describes the sterile detachment of her MD. She imagines pulling stoppers off tubes of blood and pouring them down the front of her gown.
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 PM
In “Poem for Dr__”, Anya Silver, who died of cancer, describes the sterile detachment of her MD. She imagines pulling stoppers off tubes of blood and pouring them down the front of her gown.
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
Part of me likes the idea 🔉
From our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast
pod.link/healer/episo...
Our latest podcast from "On Becoming a Healer" considers the "wretched" experience of patients whose doctors are clinically detached, voiced through poetry
Our guest is English professor Laura Greene
On Becoming a Healer is wherever you find podcasts and pod.link/healer/episo...
#Poetry #meded
Our guest is English professor Laura Greene
On Becoming a Healer is wherever you find podcasts and pod.link/healer/episo...
#Poetry #meded
December 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Our latest podcast from "On Becoming a Healer" considers the "wretched" experience of patients whose doctors are clinically detached, voiced through poetry
Our guest is English professor Laura Greene
On Becoming a Healer is wherever you find podcasts and pod.link/healer/episo...
#Poetry #meded
Our guest is English professor Laura Greene
On Becoming a Healer is wherever you find podcasts and pod.link/healer/episo...
#Poetry #meded
"Untwist the lids from my tubes of blood
and pour them down the front of my gown"
In On Becoming a Healer podcast we look at 3 poems about doctors who hold patients at arm's length, including "Poet for Dr. ___" by Anya Silver.
Our podcast streams everywhere, including
pod.link/healer?view=...
and pour them down the front of my gown"
In On Becoming a Healer podcast we look at 3 poems about doctors who hold patients at arm's length, including "Poet for Dr. ___" by Anya Silver.
Our podcast streams everywhere, including
pod.link/healer?view=...
December 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
"Untwist the lids from my tubes of blood
and pour them down the front of my gown"
In On Becoming a Healer podcast we look at 3 poems about doctors who hold patients at arm's length, including "Poet for Dr. ___" by Anya Silver.
Our podcast streams everywhere, including
pod.link/healer?view=...
and pour them down the front of my gown"
In On Becoming a Healer podcast we look at 3 poems about doctors who hold patients at arm's length, including "Poet for Dr. ___" by Anya Silver.
Our podcast streams everywhere, including
pod.link/healer?view=...
Poems from patients about the emotionally absent doctor -
Our upcoming podcast considers 3 poems by patients, including the devastating “Poem for Dr ____” by Anya Silver (1968-2018)
Our “On Becoming a Healer” podcast is on every podcast service including YouTube, Spotify, Apple
pod.link/healer
Our upcoming podcast considers 3 poems by patients, including the devastating “Poem for Dr ____” by Anya Silver (1968-2018)
Our “On Becoming a Healer” podcast is on every podcast service including YouTube, Spotify, Apple
pod.link/healer
December 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Poems from patients about the emotionally absent doctor -
Our upcoming podcast considers 3 poems by patients, including the devastating “Poem for Dr ____” by Anya Silver (1968-2018)
Our “On Becoming a Healer” podcast is on every podcast service including YouTube, Spotify, Apple
pod.link/healer
Our upcoming podcast considers 3 poems by patients, including the devastating “Poem for Dr ____” by Anya Silver (1968-2018)
Our “On Becoming a Healer” podcast is on every podcast service including YouTube, Spotify, Apple
pod.link/healer
Two points from me on the left - the first is elegant, under the hand. The seconds is a bit big and a bit awkward but good enough
December 4, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Two points from me on the left - the first is elegant, under the hand. The seconds is a bit big and a bit awkward but good enough
Don’t believe the NEJM spin
I read the article. This review of “deprescribing” miscites the lit to drive an unsupported conclusion that tapering to is a path to safety
The piece portrays a patient without humanity.
It treats informed consent as a hypothetical notion to be discarded in practice
I read the article. This review of “deprescribing” miscites the lit to drive an unsupported conclusion that tapering to is a path to safety
The piece portrays a patient without humanity.
It treats informed consent as a hypothetical notion to be discarded in practice
Opioid deprescribing is advised when risks of opioid use outweigh benefits. A tailored, patient-centered plan with gradual dose reduction, monitoring, and support can improve outcomes and reduce harm.
Learn more in these key points and read the full article: nej.md/4oL3fu2
#MedSky
Learn more in these key points and read the full article: nej.md/4oL3fu2
#MedSky
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Don’t believe the NEJM spin
I read the article. This review of “deprescribing” miscites the lit to drive an unsupported conclusion that tapering to is a path to safety
The piece portrays a patient without humanity.
It treats informed consent as a hypothetical notion to be discarded in practice
I read the article. This review of “deprescribing” miscites the lit to drive an unsupported conclusion that tapering to is a path to safety
The piece portrays a patient without humanity.
It treats informed consent as a hypothetical notion to be discarded in practice
The American College of Physicians announced that the *one thing* doctors should *not* take seriously is:
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
October 30, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The American College of Physicians announced that the *one thing* doctors should *not* take seriously is:
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
1/🔊 Our latest podcast focuses on the hollowed-out state of pain care in America. It asks "Why are we addicted to talking about opioids rather than helping people with chronic pain?"
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
October 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
1/🔊 Our latest podcast focuses on the hollowed-out state of pain care in America. It asks "Why are we addicted to talking about opioids rather than helping people with chronic pain?"
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
Reposted by Stefan Kertesz
I'm looking forward for this lively discourse on the utility, or lack of such, on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs this November at AMERSA's conference in Portland, Oregon!
Each year at the annual conference, the AMERSA Discourse plenary session offers attendees the opportunity to hear the evidence from two perspectives on a topic. Join us in Portland this November to engage in a thoughtful discourse! Register today: amersa.org/annual-confe...
June 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm looking forward for this lively discourse on the utility, or lack of such, on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs this November at AMERSA's conference in Portland, Oregon!
1/Women entering med school in the 50s & 60s faced a "Mad Men" like world:
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
September 28, 2025 at 6:56 AM
1/Women entering med school in the 50s & 60s faced a "Mad Men" like world:
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
After Dr Smith’s patient died, her husband brought him her diary.
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
August 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
After Dr Smith’s patient died, her husband brought him her diary.
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
Georgia
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
August 10, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Georgia
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
A week ago a limited bronchopneumonia hit
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
August 3, 2025 at 5:44 AM
A week ago a limited bronchopneumonia hit
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
1/Are doctors ready to serve patients with disabilities? Only 41% say they are
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
1/Are doctors ready to serve patients with disabilities? Only 41% say they are
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
I'm looking forward for this lively discourse on the utility, or lack of such, on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs this November at AMERSA's conference in Portland, Oregon!
Each year at the annual conference, the AMERSA Discourse plenary session offers attendees the opportunity to hear the evidence from two perspectives on a topic. Join us in Portland this November to engage in a thoughtful discourse! Register today: amersa.org/annual-confe...
June 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm looking forward for this lively discourse on the utility, or lack of such, on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs this November at AMERSA's conference in Portland, Oregon!
Reposted by Stefan Kertesz
Delighted to be selected for the 1st cohort of trainees at Grayken Center for Addiction’s Nurse Care Manager Training with our nurse champion, Marsha. Nurses are essential to expanding access to care in AL and rural US, and we’re so glad to have some of the best at UAB @uabcappi.bsky.social
June 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Delighted to be selected for the 1st cohort of trainees at Grayken Center for Addiction’s Nurse Care Manager Training with our nurse champion, Marsha. Nurses are essential to expanding access to care in AL and rural US, and we’re so glad to have some of the best at UAB @uabcappi.bsky.social