Women physicians are often expected to do it all: care for patients, raise families, support everyone around them, and somehow never ask for anything in return.

In this episode of FEM, MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with physician, writer, and creator Dr. Laura Vater for an honest conversation about toxic martyrdom in medicine, physician burnout, motherhood, sleep deprivation, and building a sustainable career as a woman doctor.

Together, they discuss why so many women in medicine struggle with boundaries, how residency training can normalize self-sacrifice, the reality of the "second shift" at home, and practical advice for physicians navigating career, family, and personal well-being.

Topics discussed include:

• Toxic martyrdom in medicine

• Women physicians and burnout

• Motherhood during medical training

• The "second shift" and working moms

• Setting boundaries as an attending physician

• Sleep deprivation and physician wellness

• Negotiating your first physician contract

• Financial independence for doctors

• Raising children while practicing medicine

• Finding joy and fulfillment outside of work

Whether you're a medical student, resident, attending physician, or working mother trying to balance it all, this conversation offers practical wisdom and reassurance that you are not alone.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Laura Vater

Connect with Laura: @doclauravater

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Why are so many women physicians walking away from medicine?

In this episode of FEM, MD, host Lauren Umstattd sits down with retinal specialist and physician coach Dr. Shanika Esparaz to discuss the wake-up call that forced her to rethink everything. After experiencing debilitating physical symptoms—including the worst headache of her life—Dr. Esparaz realized that what looked like success on the outside was costing her far more than she realized.

Together, they explore physician burnout, the unique challenges facing women in medicine, the pressure to do it all, and how learning to slow down helped Dr. Esparaz reclaim her career, family life, and sense of self.

Topics discussed include:

• The physical symptoms of physician burnout

• Why women doctors are leaving medicine at alarming rates

• The hidden cost of perfectionism and overachievement

• Building boundaries in clinical practice

• Opening (and later closing) a concierge medical practice

• Autonomy vs. workload in medicine

• How coaching helped redefine success

• Nervous system regulation and burnout recovery

• Why slowing down isn't the same as giving up

• Learning to choose yourself without guilt

If you've ever wondered whether there's a different way to practice medicine—or a different way to live—this conversation is for you.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Shanika Esparaz

Connect with Shanika: @shani_esparazmd

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Dr. Betsy Dovec was one of the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country when she made a decision that shocked many of her colleagues: she walked away from a secure, high-paying hospital position to build her own practice and surgery center from the ground up.

In this episode of FEM, MD, Betsy shares the behind-the-scenes reality of launching Body by Bariatrics, navigating non-competes, securing a $12 million loan, building an ambulatory surgery center, and leading a growing healthcare business. She also discusses how GLP-1 medications are changing the bariatric landscape, why she believes traditional hospital-employed bariatric programs are facing major disruption, and what it takes to balance entrepreneurship, surgery, and motherhood.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a medical practice on your own terms, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on risk-taking, leadership, resilience, and creating a life that aligns with your ambitions.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Dovec

Connect with Betsy: @drdovec

https://bodybybariatrics.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com