The Healing Power of Joy: Embracing the Little Moments That Matter – Miriam Zylberglait, MD
Tell Us About Your Career Path
Academic physician with interest in leadership development, burnout prevention and physician well-being.
Can you Cite Any Particular Instance or Individuals that influenced your choices?
My grandma Rosa inspired me to be a geriatrician. My parents and sister supported me throughout the road. My husband encouraged me during the challenging times and helped me to keep going. My boys filled my life with joy and provided me with new perspectives about what is important in life. My patients, residents and students inspired me to keep learning, keep teaching and keep growing.
What Challenges have you Faced in your Medical Career?
Finding the balance between my personal and professional life, in order to feel fulfilled, and without sacrificing love, happiness, health, and dreams.
Have you had an Ah-Ha moment? Or is there anything else that has impacted your career trajectory or work within or outside medicine that has been a significant influence?
Ah ha!!!!! Joy in medicine depends on our capacity to appreciate the little things: the smile of a patient that feels better, the happiness of a woman receiving good news, the hug of a husband that appreciates what you did for the love of his life, the silent thank you, that recognizes how much you care. Pay attention, there is a lot of joy around us. Do not miss the opportunity to recognize it because you are having an hectic day. These pieces of joy will be the fuel for the rest of your challenging day.
Given your lived experiences, do you have any advice for women in medicine?
You can be a successful physician, wife, and mother. You can feel happy, appreciated, fulfilled and rewarded. You don’t need to choose. The sky’s the limit.