Thriving, Not Surviving with Dr. Lindsay Sonstein

Lindsay Sonstein, MD is a University of Texas System Distinguished Teaching Professor, the Clinical Vice Chair and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Sonstein focuses on quality of care, patient satisfaction, and innovative health delivery systems. She is passionate about resident education, has won numerous teaching and educational awards, and was inducted as a member of the UTMB Academy of Master Teachers in September of 2012 and UTMB Academy of Master Clinicians in 2018. Nationally, Dr. Sonstein is involved in the APDIM (Association for Program Directors in Internal Medicine) and serves on the program planning committee. We don’t want to survive residency, we want to thrive. And today, Dr. Lindsay Sonstein shares how to do exactly that. She urges us to tap into why we entered medicine in the first place, because it will provide the endurance and resilience we need to carry us through our journey. She notes the importance of building a team that complements our own strengths and weaknesses. And that mentors are here to push us in the direction where we can fulfill our potential—and as mentees, we must be open to taking those chances. Lastly, she defines the true meaning of hard work in medicine - doing what it takes to care for the patient. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Find your strengths, find your weaknesses, and then build a team to help you complement those strengths and weaknesses. 2. Everyone can work-hard. It’s working hard toward the benefit of the patient that sets you apart as an excellent physician. 3. Whenever you are struggling, tap back into why you came into medicine. That will carry you through your career.