We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Dinsmore, MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our business (The Whole Physician) aims to teach physicians the tools to “heal thyself.” People who are incredibly hardworking, intelligent and altruistic are drawn to medicine. But the system we unknowingly enter is quite toxic. We develop maladaptive tendencies, in my opinion, due to narcissistic gaslighting built into the system in which we are trained. Physician start believing we should be something other than human with basic human needs for sleep, bathroom breaks, relief etc. We even lose touch with our human emotions. As an ER doc, there’s no time for that- just an overwhelming number of patients to see. We allow no other option other than perfection given than human lives are at risk. Which sounds lofty, except given the status of the medical system, it isn’t possible. But we don’t know this and carry shame in a place where vulnerability isn’t permitted.

Physician suicide is at a rate double that of the general population, and women physicians fare worse than their male counterparts. It’s the highest rate of any profession. On average, one physician commits suicide per day.
The world needs physicians. And it needs physicians who are psychologically well. A well physician has the emotional bandwidth to connect on a human level with his/her patient. When you ask physicians if they’d EVER recommend their own lifestyle to a patient, its very rarely “yes.” It needs to change.

Our business teaches physicians the same mindset tools that have been used in professional athletics and C-Suites for years, but it is still relatively new within the medical community. We are helping physicians build their own psychological capital to be able to serve others from a healthier place, with more human connection and meaning.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Whole Physician is a team of 3 Emergency Physicians who still all work clinically while building this labor of love. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our fellow physicians feel more contentment and meaning in their work. We are a team, a holarachy working symbiotically, while we also function as doctors, mothers, school teachers, medical school instructors, PTO presidents, school board members and numerous other roles.

We knew going into this that an equal group of 3 strong women could have potential downsides, especially in regards to when there are disagreements and things aren’t going as planned. We have been diligent about proactive communication and building trust within the team that will only make us stronger.

Lastly, we are proud of our strong commitment to giving back. Ten percent of our proceeds go to charitable causes. This year we are pleased to have partnered with charities supporting child advocacy and domestic abuse.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Springfield, MO is nice in that, despite it being a pretty small town, there are a lot of GREAT locally owned restaurants. I’d let the choose between: Flame, Avanzare, Black Sheep, Char, Haruno, Ocean Zen, Retro Metro and The Order. For drinks after, we’d hit the rooftop bar above the Hotel Vandivort. Since it’s the home of Bass Pro Shops, we’d have to do the obligatory (and amazing) Wonders of Wildlife. Additionally, the area is known for its caves, so Fantastic Caverns would be something to see. If weather cooperated, we could check out a Springfield Cardinals game or fish/boat on any one of the amazing nearby lakes. If my bestie is feeling particularly energetic, a quick trip to Branson, MO unlocked unlimited novelty. There are lots of the same sorts of activities that they’d have in a place like Pigeon Forge, but also Big Cedar Lodge/Dogwood Canyons have beautiful hikes and fine dining that are unique to the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All the physician coaches who share the same mission. Those who have paved the way and those still doing the work. Sunny Smith, MD has been a selfless mentor throughout the entire process. She has helped hundreds of fellow docs be able to better navigate a new realm of entrepreneurship and service, without asking anything in return. She’s pretty fantastic.

I also LOVE my Mastermind of fellow (mostly) physician coaches who support each other along the way including: Arpita DePalma, MD, Michael Hersch, MD, Cecilia Minano, MD, Priya Wagle, MD, Julie Goodwin, MD, Dr. Maki Kusaka, Ilse Larson, MD, Barbara Katz, MD, Shideh Shafie, MD, and Ellen Lyman.

Website: www.thewholephysician.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewholephysician/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-whole-physician/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/wholephysician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholephysician/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnZOTRY2aiMj5kJCdSyvHuw

Image Credits
Monica Whitt Photography (IG: @monicawhittphotography, FB: @monicawhittphoto)

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