In this episode, Dr. William Novick shares his journey as a pediatric cardiac surgeon and humanitarian. He discusses the mission of the Global Cardiac Alliance, which focuses on building sustainable pediatric cardiac care programs in underserved countries. Dr. Novick recounts his experiences in conflict zones, the challenges faced, and the profound impact of his work on children and families. He emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals recognizing their role as caregivers and advocates for those in need, urging them to 'stoop to help' others.

Biography: Dr. Bill Novick began his career in 1993. Bill saw a disparity in heart health between kids in lower-income countries and kids in the USA. And he didn’t like what he saw. Too many children were dying and Bill knew many more could be saved. But he also knew he needed a team to make it happen. So he recruited some of the best clinicians in pediatric care who shared his passion for eradicating congenital heart disease in low to middle-income countries.

In 2014 they undertook their first mission as Novick Cardiac Alliance – now Global Cardiac Alliance. More than 2,800 hearts later they’re still going, training teams in other countries to deliver world-class heart health care to every child.

For more information about Dr. William Novick:

Global Cardiac Alliance: www.cardiac-alliance.org

Tiny Hearts Documentary: https://tinyheartsfilm.com/

Social Media:

Instagram: @cardiac_alliance

LinkedIn: @gloabal-cardiac-alliance

Humanity Rx is created, written and produced by: Jenny Opalinski, Tovah Feehan and Jonathan Waller.

Audio and Music Engineering by Drew Allsbrook and The People's Music Studio

In this conversation, Hannah Hoekstra shares her journey from a career in media to becoming a nurse, emphasizing the importance of self-care in the demanding field of healthcare. She discusses her experiences as a forensic nurse, the challenges faced in that role, and her advocacy for mental health resources for healthcare workers. Hannah also recounts her time at Burning Man, where she identified gaps in support for assault victims, and her current work in outpatient oncology while navigating motherhood. Throughout the discussion, she offers valuable insights on resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of community support.

When we asked Hannah to provide a biography, she left us with one of her favorite quotes:

"I slept & dreamt life was joy. I woke & saw that life was service. I served & found service was joy."

-Rabindranath Tagore

Humanity Rx is created, written and produced by: Jenny Opalinski, Tovah Feehan and Jonathan Waller.

Audio and Music Engineering by Drew Allsbrook and The People's Music Studio

In this conversation, Dr. John Parente shares his experiences as an emergency room physician, discussing the emotional challenges and rewards of working in healthcare. He reflects on a life-changing incident that shaped his perspective on patient care, the importance of balancing compassion with detachment, and the impact of parenthood on his professional life. Dr. Parente also addresses the growing mistrust in healthcare, the burden of patient care, and the need for coping mechanisms among healthcare workers. He concludes with a powerful prescription for humanity, emphasizing the importance of perspective in overcoming challenges.

Biography: Dr. John Parente is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician with over 20 years of experience on the front lines of healthcare. Known On his social media platforms as @DRJPARENTE, he’s built a following by blending medical education with sharp humor, using real-life cases to teach, inform, and call attention to the realities of modern medicine. He’s also the host of the podcast Emergency Minute, where he dives deeper into these themes with insight, honesty, and a dose of wit.

For more information about Dr. John Parente:

Website: https://www.drjparente.com/

Humanity Rx is created, written and produced by: Jenny Opalinski, Tovah Feehan and Jonathan Waller.

Audio and Music Engineering by Drew Allsbrook and The People's Music Studio