{"id":4379,"date":"2024-10-02T10:17:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T14:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kellymeerbott.com\/?p=4379"},"modified":"2024-10-02T10:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T14:23:53","slug":"leadership-in-healthcare-dr-lily-girson-on-advocacy-and-empathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/leadership-in-healthcare-dr-lily-girson-on-advocacy-and-empathy\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership in Healthcare: Dr. Lily Girson on Advocacy and Empathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Leaders are born for many reasons \u2014 and in this episode of Hidden Human, Kelly Meerbott sits down with Dr. Lily Girson<\/a><\/strong>, a board-certified physician and now the visionary founder of Mindful Medicine and Wellness<\/a><\/strong>. Discover Dr. Girson\u2019s journey from traditional medicine to establishing a practice that marries Western and Eastern approaches and patient-centered care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Girson discusses the challenges she faced within the healthcare system, the transition to her own practice, and her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. The conversation also delves into Dr. Girson\u2019s leadership philosophy, her focus on empathy in patient care, and her personal reflections on overcoming adversity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Tune in to hear Dr. Girson\u2019s inspiring story and her dedication to redefining patient care.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Hey, y’all. This is Kelly Meerbott, host of Hidden Human<\/strong> and today we have board certified family medical physician, Dr. Lily Gerson,<\/strong> who’s also the founder of Mindful Medicine and Wellness, a practice in Narberth that works with Eastern and Western medicine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

We’re going to talk about how to take your power back as a physician from the healthcare system, how to advocate for yourself as a patient, the importance of DEIA in medicine and healthcare, and how to build your own medical practice. So take a listen and make it a great day.<\/span><\/p>

Welcome to Hidden Human! I am so excited. I know. I say I’m so excited every week, but I am so excited because there is somebody on with us who is not only a badass, board certified family medical physician. She’s also the founder of Mindful Medicine and Wellness, which, to me, filled a huge gap on the Main Line.<\/span><\/p>

And this is the title I give her; best doctor on the Main Line, Dr Lily Gerson. And to be transparent, she’s my doctor, so I absolutely adore her. Thank you for taking your precious time currency and spending it with us for an hour.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Thank you, Kelly, anything for you really.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I mean, I adore you. You know that. And let me just tell a quick back story. So when I say Dr Gerson really saved my life, she did, because last year I was- and I’ve said this. I haven’t said it on the podcast, but I’ll say it now. Between January 2023, and July 14, 2023 I wanted to kill myself five times.<\/span><\/p>

And I don’t say that flippantly, but for me, that was an alarm clock, because what I said to Dr Gerson is at the core of me, I’m a little kid who likes to create mischief, play and change the world. And like that was a very vast departure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And she looked at me and said, \u201cTell me more,\u201d listened and not just listened in that position where they look down at the clipboard, look at you, nod, blah blah, blah, blah, blah. But sat there, connected with me and listened between the lines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And we figured out that I was in menopause, which I definitely want to talk to you about that. But really, she helped me work through a plan. We worked together collaboratively, on my health, she’s taught me how to be a better advocate for myself, and given me hope in the healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>

So all of those things is just a small sliver of who she is. And I know I’ve thanked you before, but thank you for being you. You’re just amazing. So tell me, because I know you have three little boys at home. If you were gonna explain to me like a six year old child, in a way I can understand what it is that you do. What would you say?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

When, you know, hearing you say that I was, you know, listening to you and sitting down with you and working through it. I look back at those days now, when I was working in traditional medicine, and thanking God right now that you actually, like, felt that way. That I was like, you know, and I was but that you felt that way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Because I feel like, in the world of like traditional medicine, it’s like a never ending hamster wheel of seeing patients, and you don’t get that opportunity as a physician, even though, I think most of us want to, and, you know, strive to have the time and the compassion and everything to hear your patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But I think that you know, ever since, starting my own practice and doing this, I haven’t felt that worry that, like, am I there enough for my patients? Like, I know that I am now. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Whereas that was what I was always striving to do back then, in a world where you had 12 minutes with your patients. So, you know, I really just try to be an advocate for them and listen to them and, you know, give them the care that they need and that they deserve.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

I remember, as you were talking there was my sleep doctor in Virginia who just diagnosed me back in 2010 with sleep apnea. And when- and I’m such an asshole sometimes, like I’ll just be real. Like he’s sitting there, and I see him, and he’s not looking at me. He’s just looking at his clipboard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And at one point I got really mad, and I go, (Snapping fingers) \u201cEyes up here, patient’s not on that clipboard.\u201d And he looked at me and he was like, \u201cOh my god I’m so sorry,\u201d but it happens more than, I mean, we would like to say. And you know, to be fair to the doctors, like you’re not the only one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And he went from practicing at Penn to practicing at Penn at their concierge service. And what he was saying was exactly like you. But he said, if another NBA came in to shorten my time with a patient and asked me about the ROI I wanted to, like, scream and pull my hair out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So he went from, like, 2500 patients to 500 patients, which, you know, with my grandfather as a doctor. You know, I know what good medicine looks like, and you and he are it.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[It\u2019s hard to] do good care. If there’s, you know, I had a 2000 patient population, it’s like, insane.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Well, and the difference, I will tell you, because I was at Dr. Gerson’s old practice, and the difference from the patient experience was, I didn’t feel like there was this looming pressure over me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I’m sure you experienced, you know, and I know that I was getting that from you, and that’s really no fault of yours. It’s just the system, unfortunately, that we’ve got right now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You’re just choosing to do something different, which I always love, you little rebel, you. So can you share with me a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your leadership style?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I went into medicine. I knew I wanted to be, you know, I actually, I did a roundabout way into medicine. So I majored in journalism, in Spanish in undergrad, and then I worked for a newspaper for about a year and a half. And then I said, you know, I’ve always wanted to go into medicine.<\/span><\/p>

I thought about it when I was an undergrad, but I didn’t want to take the time. So I made the leap at this point, you know, a year and a half after graduating, and I went back. I did all my sciences, like a post baccalaureate program, I did the MCAT, got into medical school and did all of that, and I was like, 27 or something when I did all of this.<\/span><\/p>

So I always, like, knew I wanted to be in medicine. When I was in medicine, I was disappointed. I was like, I worked so hard for this. I literally spent nine plus years in schooling for all of this, because I had to go back and do all of it. And I thought it would be different than what it was.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And I always like, saw myself as a very empathetic person. And I felt that in the world of medicine, my empathy was, like draining, which is what you need, empathy in medicine, like 100%. And it was, it was like the, you know, higher ups, the CEOs who have nothing to do with medicine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It was the insurance companies who know nothing about medicine, and, you know, telling you what you can and can’t do, denying things. Having you instead of, like working for the patients, like fighting them to get something covered. You know, that was necessary, and it was just very draining.<\/span><\/p>

And so I think, like the pivotal moment was when I decided to leave that and do this so that I can give patients the time that they need. I have my empathy back. And I think that was, like the best and biggest thing that I could have done.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott <\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I remember you were in all of these interviews with all of these corporate entities, right?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I was on a text with you. You were wonderful. You were so helpful during all of this. And after I left my last job, we took a little like week long vacation to Florida with the family. We took them out of school. We were like, Okay, let’s figure out what we want to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And I remember being on the plane and texting, and you said, you know, what have you decided to do? Or what are your goals? And I was like, you know, I really want to do this, but I’m just fearful because of all the unknown and the expenses and the this and the that, and you were like, \u201cJust do it.\u201d And I was like, you know what, you know, you’re right. And here we are today.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Anytime I say this, I’m like, I don’t want anybody- because you and I both know we have privilege, right? Like, that’s, that’s a real thing, and I try to leverage that to help other people. So when I say what I’m about to say, like, everybody has their own story, and you got to figure out, like, how it works. But listen, and this is not bagging on me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I am not that smart when it comes to things, right? If I can build a business and have it 16 years later, so can you. You just have to be resourceful and find a way, you know. And I remember Rich Litvin, he was one of my coaches that started me out in 2009 and he goes, \u201cKelly, all you gotta remember is MSU.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

And I was like, what the fuck is MSU, what is that? And he goes, \u201cMake shit up.\u201d And I was like, oh my god, you’re right. You’re right. Now, obviously, if when we’re talking about the IRS and things like that, follow the rules people, because nobody wants the IRS- you know.<\/span><\/p>

I’m not advocating for that, but what I am advocating for is don’t be afraid to try something. If it’s uncomfortable, you know, that’s okay because that could be something different. And like you, you made it up, right? Is there any other practice like, you know, your practice out there? I don’t know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I don\u2019t think so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

I don’t think so either.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

We do, you know, a mix of Western medicine and Eastern medicine here. I’ve partnered with Larry Mangel, who’s the President of the Pennsylvania Ayurvedic Medical Association to do a lot of like the Eastern medicine, herbal supplements, all of that. I did it because, you know, at my last practice, at the traditional practice, you know, if you don’t have a patient on a statin with their high cholesterol, you get dinged from the insurance company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

If you don’t have, you know, the colonoscopy side, which you should do anyways, but, you know, there’s so many like, things that you’re just checking boxes off of, rather than, like, listening to the patient.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And I had a ton of patients who were like, \u201cI don’t want to be on a statin for my high cholesterol. What else can I do?\u201d And you know, in that world, you’re like, \u201cNo, you’re going to be on a statin, because otherwise, like, Medicare won’t pay me,\u201d<\/span><\/p>

You know, like, it was such, like, an eye opening experience that, like, patients wanted alternatives, and they wanted this. And there are still those patients who are like, \u201cYes, give me that statin.\u201d And I, 100% I think statins are amazing. But I, you know, I also want to listen to the patient and do what’s best for them.<\/span><\/p>

So that’s why I wanted to, like, offer kind of both worlds of this, you can, you know, we can work together and collaborate and do labs and see how things are progressing. And so I think that’s really helpful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And then, you know, I’ve always also wanted to do esthetics. I grew up with my, you know, my dad’s a plastic surgeon, and I think he was very disappointed when I decided to become a family medicine doctor and not a plastic surgeon. But I did really like all of the, you know, esthetics part of it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So in my prior jobs, I had always asked, you know, can we do it? Can we bring this on? And there were so many, like, so much red tape around it with malpractice insurance and this, and, like, nobody wanted to do it. So now that I’m on my own, you know, I can do what I want, which is great.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Yeah, it is kind of fun. It’s like, when people ask me, Can we do this with you? I’m like, Hmm, you’re talking to the CEO. I think so, you know what I mean?<\/span><\/p>

But what’s popping in my mind, since we’re talking about, like, patients advocating for themselves, you know, I think there’s this dynamic, not with you obviously, like, I feel like we’re partners in my health, right?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But there’s this dynamic where you walk into a doctor’s office and doctor’s here and you’re here. What actionable steps can people at home take to make sure they’re advocating for themselves, especially when the doctor is not listening? And what’s the tipping point to be like \u201cYou’re fired, I’m finding somebody else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I think it’s really hard in traditional medicine to, you know, have a doctor really fully listen to you. Unless they’re like, you know, running five hours behind, and then the patient gets upset, but then they’re giving the time devoted to the patients, you know. But you know, someone’s in the waiting room waiting for three hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So I think it’s really, I don’t know, I think it’s hard in that sense. But I think what, what you can do is, you know, the tipping point too, is like, it’s just what you’re, you know, you’re like, your borderline, what your- what’s the word I’m looking for?<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

What your boundaries are, like, what your gut is telling you.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I think it’s different for every single person. Some people tolerate, you know that a little bit better, and some people are like, \u201cNo,\u201d you know, \u201cI want more than this.\u201d So I think it’s really personal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Yeah I do too, and I think it’s different for everybody but I would say, don’t, don’t be afraid to bring somebody else in. If you can’t speak up for yourself, bring somebody that is trusted in your world to help you.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I would say 100% I want to agree with you, but it’s so hard. And you know, I think in the world, but you know, you do what you can.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

So how would you describe your leadership philosophy, and how would you say it’s evolved over time?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I think I have a decisive leadership quality, and I’m along with, like, being patient centered. I think it’s kind of like a mix of both. I will say that I was never good at making decisions until I went into medicine. So I think that has evolved. You know, you kind of learn, like, with all you know, the continuing education and everything that you’re learning from and you know, just communicating with other people, you know kind of what’s right and what’s wrong.<\/span><\/p>

And you said, like, I don’t want to say you make shit up at all, but it’s like, you know what you know, and you have the confidence to just, [say] \u201cThis is what it is.\u201d It’s really funny because like, I can’t decide for the life of me what restaurant we’re gonna go to,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

but if it’s like, for a patient, it’s like, this is what we’re gonna do. You know, what do you feel about it? And I always like, you know, the patient centered part is, I’m never like, \u201cThis is it, this is how you do it and see you later.\u201d It’s like, \u201cHow do you feel about it? What do you think about this plan? How can we make it work, to work with you, like, along these lines?\u201d So I kind of think that’s how I work.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I would say, as your patient, I agree with that 100%. You know, because I remember you asking me, like, literally, you pulled up on the internet all of the symptoms of menopause. And we were like, yup, yup, yup, yup, okay, let’s get the test to make sure, and this is what I think you should do.<\/span><\/p>

And it was like, you know, you gave me a medication that I told you, it felt like it opened up a vein in my brain and shot out happy endorphins, and my husband, like, 24 hours later, was like, there you are. You know what I mean? And I told you that, and it was like it was life changing. It was life changing, you know?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And for me, I’m one of those people that believes in medicine. I don’t believe in pulling the script pad for everything, but I do believe in the power of good medicine when it is applied properly. Yeah. So what would you say the most challenging leadership situation has been that you’ve been in, and how did you navigate it?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Starting this business. It was, it was scary. It was, you know, I have three kids at home. We had a very steady income, you know, working at another place. And it was like, okay, am I going to be miserable and, like, stay in this or am I going to do something about it? And it was like that leap, you know, with your help, I knew that, I could do it, and I could handle it, and I was a good enough doctor to be able to do it.<\/span><\/p>

And I think, you know, I just think having the drive. And it was also, like, it was kind of incredible. I mean, I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I feel like it was incredible because I incorporated, like, at the end of February, and I opened like, the end of April. So it was, you know, I’m a very driven person, when I put my mind to something, it’s going to get done.<\/span><\/p>

And it was like, every day I was working on something, and I, my husband, just kept telling me, like, you know, like, \u201cBe patient.\u201d I’m doing all this waiting. He’s like, \u201cThere’s nothing you can do about it. You have to be patient.\u201d And, you know, finally, things, the ball just kept getting, you know, rolling and rolling. And here we are. So that was, like, the biggest challenge, and like success, too.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

If you don\u2019t mind me asking, and if you don’t want to answer this, that’s okay. How many patients do you have now?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I have 55 patients.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

What\u2019s your goal on paper?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I was going to do 15 patients a month. So I have May, June, July, August, 50, 30, 45 you know, right there, basically.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You are right there. You are right there. And she, just to reiterate, she opened April of 2024. And the weird- the worry that you said to me was, \u201cWhat if I don’t get any patients?\u201d I was like, \u201cNot possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Day one I, like, literally put my website up, and I got two patients. It’s like, wow.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

And I love that It’s membership based. And I love that the way you did it was age. Like you fall in this bucket, this is what it is, you fall in this bucket, this is what it is. And to me, it’s not unreachable. Like Penn\u2019s is $7,500 a year. And I think, what do I pay in the middle tier?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

So you’re 119, a month.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

It gets me Dr Gerson, like, literally, she responds within less than 24 hours, sometimes within the hour that I text her about something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

So that\u2019s what direct primary care is, I kind of say it’s, it’s like concierge, but for an affordable rate. And also with concierge, they also take insurance. So at each (Unintelligible) you have your co-pays, you have your deductibles, all that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Like with direct primary care, the monthly fee gives you everything. There’s no co-pays per visit. There’s nothing like that, you know. And I kind of say jokingly, but it’s true, you know, it’s probably similar or even cheaper than your monthly cell phone bill.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Oh, yeah, let’s see, it’s 120 Dollars cheaper than my cell phone bill.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Yeah, there you go.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

So talk to me about the leaders that have inspired you the most and what lessons you’ve taken from them.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Honestly this may sound cheesy, but I think my husband is a pretty great leader. I’m really impressed with him. He also is kind of, you know, self made. He started his own business back when we were, like, right out of college.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And it is just like, thrived, and it’s amazing to see what like- starting this now, and knowing all of the barriers that you had to get this done and seeing him, like, just, just do it. It was amazing. Did it help me do all of this? And I think, you know, he’s a very calm and collected type of man, and I’m the complete opposite.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

You just described my relationship with my husband too.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So you know, just looking at him and being like, okay, you know, I think between the two of us, I think we’re a really great team. Because he, he said, like, you know, during all of this, he’s like, you know, I think we need each other, because you get me going and doing this, and, like, you’re not patient, and, you know, I’m here to, like, kind of bring you down a little bit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So I think, you know, seeing how he has built his business and done all of this. And I mean, he was out when we were, like, literally straight out of college, and our friends were out partying or doing whatever, you know, he was like, \u201cI have to go work, I have to go do this.\u201d And so he’s got an amazing work ethic. And just seeing him, you know, really build it from nothing has been pretty awe inspiring.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

And that’s not cheesy at all. And I will say this, I’ve had the privilege of being at Lily’s house and for like, a hot minute, but they do have three very active young men. Active. They are very sweet and very funny. But what was really interesting was I was there around dinner time, so it’s a little bit chaotic, and literally, Lily and her husband were steady, steady.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

There was no yelling. There was no- now, but I will tell you, there was some discipline going on, but it was very firm, assertive and gentle, is the best way I can say it. So I agree with you. I think you two make a really good team, at least from what I saw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So you’re building a team right now, and I know you’ve worked in teams before, but how do you build a strong team dynamic and foster collaboration?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Really the biggest thing is communication. I think, you know, working together, and not just- I think you need a leader in a team, but I think you need to also, you know, gather input from everybody.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You know, kind of see, get everyone’s idea of what could be, what could work, what could not work. You know, review, you know, all the opinions, review alternatives, like all of that. You know that everyone has to bring to the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And then, you know, kind of implement what you all have decided on. And, you know, all along the lines, I think just communicating. I think that’s the biggest thing that you could do. Really.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

It\u2019s so interesting to watch teams that don’t communicate well, and the impact of that on the organization. So, I think you’re 100% right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I was also gonna say, you know, kind of based on, like, what you do. I know a lot of, like, bigger companies, who are, you know, working on fostering teamwork and all this. Are, you know, hiring coaches to help with that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

To help with, like, you know, communication and figuring out you know what works and what doesn’t work and what you can strive for and all of that. So, you know, I definitely think you know, you are needed as much as a part of that as well, too.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Yeah, thank you. You know, I was talking to a colleague of mine earlier this week, and I remember when I was a little girl, I loved my grandfather so much, and he passed when I was 16 from <\/span>Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma<\/span>. But I wanted to be like him so badly. I wanted to be a doctor, and then I took organic chemistry, and that literally changed the trajectory of my life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I became pre med- No, I went in pre med biology, and I graduated English lit with a minor in women’s studies and writing. But I like prayed and I wanted to do what he did. And now as a coach, I feel like I’m a healer in a different kind of way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I mean, I really think everybody needs a care team around them. Meaning, who’s taking care of you spiritually, who’s taking care of you emotionally, who’s taking care of you physically. You know, and if you can do that, I would say, do that, and if not, find people in your world that can fill those roles until you can have a care team.<\/span><\/p>

So you and I both know, and we’ve talked about this many, many times, but I would love to hear from your perspective why diversity equity inclusion is important in leadership and in medicine, and how do you implement these values in your practice?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I think diversity and equity inclusion is so important. People come from so many different backgrounds to give so many different perspectives. And if you don’t have that, you aren’t looking at all sides of the picture, and you aren’t seeing all sides of the picture. People bring in so many different viewpoints, ideas, all this and, you know, and I think a lot of it kind of will stem from people’s different backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>

I’m a big proponent of- it’s funny, like I was, I was the co chair of the diversity club when I was in high school. So this has been, like, a big part of my life, kind of throughout. I want to say, like, how am I, like, implementing it here? I’m the only physician here right now. But, you know, I actually like, I have, my patient population is very, very diverse, like, even amongst the 55 people that I have.<\/span><\/p>

I think just being like a good natured human who’s, you know, not a bigot and inclusive to all would, you know, I just think that’s the way of this world right now. It’s a little bit insane. You know. I mean, even, you know, as a Jew, right now, this is pretty insane.<\/span><\/p>

What’s going on. But I just think, you know, communication and, like, I think, going back to all this, I think communication is the biggest thing, because that leads to\u2026 if you don’t have communication, you basically like, have ignorance. And ignorance is what drives fear and what drives, like, all this unknown.<\/span><\/p>

And makes you have these ideas in your head of what you think it is, but what it’s actually not. And just, you know, learning about other people and, you know, being open to different viewpoints in ways, I think, is like the biggest thing that you can do.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

So our mutual friend Mel, and I were having a discussion, and she said something to me that woke me up. And I was like, holy shit. She said doctors are to black women as cops are to black men.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

She’s not wrong. I mean, there are so many studies that show you know that black women even like in labor. You know, labor and delivery have a higher death rate than white women.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And, you know, you kind of think about that, and I think a lot of it, and I would hope, you know, just kind of being in there, like it would be a subconscious thing that’s, you know, a bias that people have, you know, but it’s, it needs to change. It needs change.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

We talked about possibly getting into this. So I’m just going to go right at it with the overturning of Roe v Wade, you know. I mean, is that going to impact white women? Sure. Is it going to impact the way other represented communities, underrepresented communities show up? Yes, you know, yes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And what I wonder is, like, obviously, it’s impacting, you know, I don’t, I don’t think people understand, like, how many people it’s impacting. It’s impacting the woman, It’s impacting her family. It’s impacting the doctors.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I don’t provide abortion care, per se, I give my patients the options and choices if they ever need to go that path. I am 100% you know, pro choice. This is your body. This is what you do. This is your life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But I know, as a doctor, you know, I have friends who do, you know, perform abortions, and you know whether it’s elective by choice, because you just can’t handle that in your life right now, that’s your choice. Or if it’s, you know, to save your life, you know you have to do it. And you know, like, doctors are so fearful to, you know, do this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I mean, even, like, luckily in Pennsylvania, it’s still okay right now, you know who’s to say that’s to change. But, I do know, you know, based on, you know, white, Caucasian, black. White, privileged women, you know, and not to say that there are not black privileged women,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But white privileged women usually have a easier time, you know, crossing state lines, finding other options, doing this, then you know, the young black woman from, you know, the middle of Louisiana, or something, you know, who can\u2019t leave and can’t go find other resources. So there’s definitely, there’s a huge issue going on right now.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Regardless of what the other side says, meaning, \u201cOh, it’s not a big deal.\u201d It is a very big deal. It is a very big deal because if they take that freedom away from women, it opens up the door for other things. LGBTQ, I mean, everybody’s going to be impacted by this.<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

I had somebody say, \u201cWhat if they, like, you know, had a bill that told men that they can’t ejaculate?\u201d you know it’s like, that’s like, you know, controlling their like- that would never fly.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Right, right. And that, that actually brings me back to my story, because I said to you, remember, you are like, \u201cI think we need to put you on HRT\u201d and all of these more seasoned women were saying to me, don’t do that, don’t do that, don’t do that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And I said, \u201cWhy are they saying that to me?\u201d And you said, \u201cbecause it’s old school thinking. And if you were a man,\u201d I’ll never forget this. You were like, \u201cthere would be a patch, there would be a pill, there would be a Pez dispenser, there would probably be a vape.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And I was like, You’re right. What the hell so, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I just, I mean, I always fall in love with you, like, every time we’re together. And, like, I was like, she’s the shit and she’s exactly right. She’s exactly right. Okay. Are you okay with doing some rapid fire questions?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Definitely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

So what’s your favorite comfort food?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Tomatoes, spinach and pineapple pizza.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Interesting. Interesting. Is there a place that you like to go to?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

What is it? Rock Hill pizza is really good.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Good to know, putting that in the back of my mind. Okay, what books are on your nightstand?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Currently, it is The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott\u00a0 <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Okay, that’s interesting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

It\u2019s so good!<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

What songs are on your playlist?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Anything Kygo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Interesting? That’s interesting. I like that. Is there a favorite song that you love?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Oh my god I\u2019m so bad with names.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

That\u2019s okay. That’s okay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

If I heard the song I’d sing the entire thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

All right. Well, I know I’m gonna walk into your office next time playing Kygo. What are you most grateful for in this moment right now?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

Honestly, like the love and support that I have from family, from patients, from you know, everyone that’s kind of around me right now, that’s what I’m most grateful for.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

And we’re grateful for you. It’s a mutual admiration society. So if somebody wants to become a patient, how do they do that?<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

So you can go to my website <\/span>www.medicineandwellnessmd.com<\/span><\/a> and you can click on the top right corner, there’s a little button that says, become a member. You’ll fill out the forms, do all of that. You can also call me, 215-703-7377, and I will pick up the phone and tell you anything you need to know about the practice. Learn what you’re looking for. Tell you a little bit about me as well.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Obviously I’m a huge advocate, because here you are in human but\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

You’re the best!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Well, listen, I’m just a reflection of you. You let me be that way because your energy allows that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Dr. Lily Gerson<\/b><\/p>

We got to work on our retreats.<\/span><\/p>

Kelly Meerbott<\/b><\/p>

Yes, and Cecily on our team is on listening and we were talking about that. That’s a big goal for us, 2024, into 2025, so everybody be looking out for retreats. And if you hear this and you have an idea of what you’d like to see, please reach out, because we’d love to do that.<\/span><\/p>

But thank you to our audience for listening. It’s our intention here on Hidden Human to inspire you to go out and have authentic conversations, to deepen the connections in your life. Thank you so much, Lily. Thank you so much to the audience and make it a great day.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover Dr. Girson\u2019s journey from traditional medicine to establishing a practice that marries Western and Eastern approaches and patient-centered care. Dr. Girson discusses the challenges she faced within the healthcare system, the transition to her own practice, and her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[318,320,316,319,317],"class_list":["post-4379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-doctors","tag-dr-lily-girson","tag-healthcare","tag-holistic-medicine","tag-medicine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4379"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4393,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379\/revisions\/4393"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.kellymeerbott.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}