Breaking Barriers in Medicine: Insights from a Physician

Dr. Suzanne Koven received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and B.A. in English literature from Yale. She went through residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital where she was chief resident and later joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Koven has over 30 years of experience in primary care internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Additionally, she is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and holds the Valerie Winchester Family Endowed Chair in Primary Care Medicine position at Mass General. Her essays, articles, blogs, and reviews have appeared in numerous news columns and magazines. She also wrote a book that is discussed in the episode, Letter to a Young Female Physician, where she examines the role of women in medicine. 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Dr. Suzanne Koven to discuss the evolving world of healthcare and the challenges that women face in the medical profession. She shares several studies comparing the impact of gender in medicine and how this can affect patient outcomes. Dr. Koven talks about the increasing digitization and corporatization of medicine that has changed hospital culture, as well as how providers interact with their patients. She provides first hand experience and shared some of the lessons she has learned from slowing down and taking more time with her patients. Finally, Dr. Koven discusses medical literature and the poetry group she began for providers in the hospital during COVID. She draws inspiration from these moments and offers wisdom that reminds us of our humanity.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

Check out Suzanne’s website

Read Letter to a Young Female Physician here

Find out more about Rachel Naomi Remen here

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. 

The organization reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org