How to Say Yes (And When to Say No) with Dr. Lyssa Weatherly

Lyssa Weatherly, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She attended medical school at UMMC where she also completed a residency, chief residency and geriatrics fellowship.  Dr. Weatherly serves as an Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program with a strong interest in medical student and resident education and mentorship. She also enjoys serving as the UMMC chapter advisor for the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Weatherly has received a number of awards including recently awarded Norman C. Nelson Order of Teaching Excellence. When we say yes to one thing, says Dr. Lyssa Weatherly, we are saying no to something else. Today, shares a career-defining moment when she realized she was going to have to say “no” to some things—so she could say “yes” to what was most important to her. As physicians, we need to think critically about what we value most. And what do we have to be willing to let go of…so that nothing gets in our way? Dr. Weatherly teaches us how to expertly navigate these obstacles, and offers us simple advice for pushing through: When we’re stuck, think back to when we first started, and remember why we’re here. And from there, evaluate if the roadblock we’re up against is worth pushing through in order to become who we’ve always wanted to be. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Find ways to marry the patient experience with the student experience. When we involve the patient in the student’s success, and vice versa, it creates a positive cohesive learning environment. 2. When we face roadblocks, think back to when we first started to remember why we’re here. Evaluate if the roadblock is worth pushing through in order to get where we’ve always wanted to be. 3. When we say yes to one thing, we are saying no to something else. Our time is finite, so consider carefully the things we do—and don’t—want to say no to.