Harry Potter and the Physician’s Dilemma with Dr. Sam Lubner

Sam Lubner, MD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin, where he directs the Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship program. He specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies and is the leader of the Gastrointestinal Disease-Oriented Team at the Carbone Cancer Center. He also serves on the Education Council for the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has received numerous awards for clinical care, including Ambulatory Patient Experience Physician Champion, and has been selected for the Department of Medicine Clinical Excellence Award.

Ever wondered why wizards are like doctors and wands are like their specialty? There are times when every milestone of your career will be clear and you will know the right steps to follow. But what about the times when everything is shrouded in uncertainty and doubt? As Dr. Lubner suggests, "Like Harry Potter, let the Sorting Hat decide." Tune in to today's episode of the Medicine Mentors, where we are joined by Dr. Sam Lubner, the Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, as he shares wisdom perfected over many years of mentoring countless residents and fellows and why every time his mentees are unclear about their career path, he just lets the Sorting Hat decide.

Pearls of Wisdom:

 

1. The best gift that we can give to a patient (or ourselves) is to think deeply about them because patients are deliberately trying to find answers through us. This will help us deliver empathetic and compassionate care.
2. We should realize that we're never alone in medicine. We're never stranded on an island. We always have a team of doctors that we can reach out to. People feel valued when they are sought out for answers to difficult questions.
3. Synthesizing the experiences and the perspectives we gain from our mentors will help us assimilate all of that into a decision. As mentees, one of the most valued traits that we can develop is intellectual curiosity and to never shy away from going back into the patient room to seek those answers.