Tag: group

Let’s talk about Women of Hope

Women of Hope is an amazing non-profit Detroit-based group that focuses on restoring hope and rebuilding lives. It focuses on three major categories: Cancer Support, Domestic Relief, and Mentorship and Youth.

The Cancer Support portion focuses on offering care packages, emotional support, and resources to empower women battling or recovering from any kind of cancer.

The Domestic Relief portion focuses on providing shelter resources, essentials and guidance to women and children facing domestic abuse or any kind of life hardship.

The Mentorship and Youth portion focuses on inspiring young girls and women through education, leadership programs, and mentorship opportunities to help launch them on a path to a better, enriched life.

These are three amazing goals that I am thrilled to be a part of. I came to know of this group of women through one of my patients Heather Newsome-Schwemmin. She referred me to their president, Caron Recker. I was fortunate enough to be invited to speak and present at one of their events. It was a wonderful event filled with cancer warriors and survivors and women of all backgrounds and walks of life. We got a chance to share stories and speak to the audience about our experiences and our different missions to empower women everywhere. It was truly an amazing and emotional experience.

I am thrilled to report that I am once again invited to attend another one of their events, the Ball Gowns and Bow Ties Gala, hosted at the wonderful Belle Isle Casino in Detroit, Michigan. I admit I was sweating a bit, since I do not own a ball gown, but I accepted graciously and figured it out! I cannot wait to attend this event and donate whatever proceeds I procure at my vendor table to the organization. I too am a two-time cancer warrior and I am completely on board with all the goals of this amazing organization. Cheers to the Women of Hope organization. May your successes be enriching and plentiful!

Dr. Laura Katz

Hey there doctors! Guess what? It’s actually a good thing when you have a knowledgeable patient interested in their health care!

It has come to my attention after being a patient A LOT lately, that for some doctors, having a patient who is knowledgeable, dares to ask a question, and is genuinely invested in their own healthcare is some kind of terrifying threat.

Huh? Why? Can anyone tell me why? To me, this makes no sense whatsoever. When I get that patient who asks questions and truly gives a crap about their own health care and wants to be involved, I personally feel like I hit the lottery! I am like O Happy Day! Let’s get you healed and healthier together. Let’s help make you the captain of your own healthcare team. Let’s surge you on to the path to wellness together!

The chances of success in this type of scenario are about a 100 times the chances if it’s not. When you have a patient that is willing to put the work in, is interested enough to ask the questions instead of just blindly following without understanding, that is like striking gold. That is awesome! That is the goal we should be trying to achieve! I just don’t understand why it doesn’t seem to be for most physicians.

But, knowing me. I have a few theories though and I would like to share them with you. Mind you these are just theories and I have no scientific documented proof, but I have had a hell of a lot of experience as a physician and as a patient and this is what I have seen.

I am worried that the physicians that seem so threatened by a patient that asks questions perhaps are just not confident enough in the care or the information that they are providing, or not providing as the case may be.

Well, this should never be the case. Be prepared at all times for questions and clarification. Know your patient so well that you can pre-anticipate what questions might be asked even before they are asked. Actually look at that chart before you enter the room. Anything you are unsure about? Look it up ahead of time and either be ready to talk about it or honestly admit that you don’t know,but are willing to help find someone who does.

It really is that easy sometimes. I get it. Not all conversations are easy. I am just saying that you have to put the pre work in to make things go as well as possible. Sometimes you are giving potentially horrendous news. There is nothing easy about that. It is not the patient’s job to reassure you, it is your job to reassure and support them. This news may make your day a lot tougher emotionally, but it may be changing their entire life all at once. It’s about the patient and your purpose is to help the patient so you gotta just pick up your bootstraps and do it or find another profession.

The bottom line is, I am not one of those threatened by patients being involved or asking questions. I welcome it with full on joy! Bring on them questions!

Dr. Katz