Child Advocacy & Balance in Pediatric Medicine | Dr. Bande Virgil | Balance to Excellence Show S3E3

In this inspiring episode of the Balance to Excellence Show, Dr. Judy Wright sits down with Dr. Bande Virgil, a board-certified pediatrician, assistant professor, and passionate child advocate. Dr. Virgil shares her journey in pediatric medicine, discusses maintaining work-life balance as a healthcare professional, and offers valuable insights on combating health misinformation while building trust with families. Learn how medical professionals can prioritize their wellbeing while delivering excellent care.

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (click to jump to section): 

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Bande Virgil

02:19 The Journey to Pediatrics

09:20 Defining Work-Life Balance

15:16 Managing Multiple Roles in Medicine

21:12 Non-Negotiables for Well-Being

24:50 The Toxic Culture of Overwork

26:43 The Importance of Rest and Respite

29:07 Advocating for Change in Healthcare Culture

32:37 Building Trust with Parents in Pediatrics

36:16 Navigating Misinformation in Pediatric Care

38:02 Wellness Initiatives in Healthcare Settings

42:05 Defining Excellence in Medicine and Life

💡 Episode Highlights

Dr. Virgil's Path to Child Advocacy #ChildAdvocate #Pediatrics

• Board-certified pediatrician working as hospitalist at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and at Pediatric Partners of Columbus
• Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Mercer School of Medicine
• Podcast host of "The Children's Wellness Spot"
• Upcoming book: "A Teaspoon of Honey: Parenting in the Millennium"
• Chose pediatrics after discovering joy in the daily interactions with children and families

The Dynamic Nature of Balance #WorkLifeBalance #PhysicianWellbeing

• Balance looks different for each person and changes throughout life stages
• "Balance is personal and it is dynamic" - not something you find once and keep forever
• Requires active maintenance and constant reassessment
• The pursuit of balance is as important as achieving it
• Involves nurturing all aspects of yourself: professional, personal, spiritual

Practical Non-Negotiables for Wellbeing #SelfCare #PhysicianWellness

• Morning meditation and reflection time
• Protected family time and regular vacation
• The courage to adjust career paths to protect these non-negotiables
• Setting boundaries around work hours and availability
• Taking short "meditation moments" throughout the day to recenter

Creating Trust with Families in Pediatrics #ParentPartnership #PediatricCare

• Building rapport is essential before addressing misinformation
• "People don't care what you know until they know how much you care"
• Create open space for questions without judgment
• Embrace shared decision-making with families
• Acknowledge parents' expertise about their own children
• Provide reliable resources for families to research on their own

Challenging the Culture of Overwork #MedicalCulture #PhysicianBurnout

• Many physicians don't use their PTO or bring work on vacation
• The false badge of honor in appearing stressed and overworked
• "The more self-sacrificing you are, the better doctor you are" toxic culture
• Rest is essential for making good decisions and avoiding errors
• Organizations need implementation, not just lip service to wellness

Innovative Wellness Initiatives That Work #HealthcareWellness #WorkplaceWellness

• On-site massage therapists during ED shifts at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Staff-led fitness challenges using smartwatch activity tracking
• Creating times for brief meditation throughout workday
• Implementing practical ways to take breaks during busy shifts
• Modeling wellness behaviors for medical students and residents

🔥 Quotable Moments for Social Sharing

"When you are in your home and you're on TikTok relaxing and you see something that makes you question your child's health... you can bring that to your doctor and not feel like you're going to be judged or criticized." #TrustYourPediatrician #ParentingSupport

"People don't care what you know until they know how much you care." #ChildAdvocacy #PediatricCare

"There's this toxic culture where the more self-sacrificing you are, the better doctor you are... but it does not serve any of us well." #PhysicianWellness #MedicalCulture

"If we are giving our best towards a goal, that is excellence." #Excellence #ProfessionalGrowth

"If you don't manage the mundane in your career well, then it's probably not the best fit for you." #CareerAdvice #FindYourJoy

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Upcoming Book: "A Teaspoon of Honey: Parenting in the Millennium" by Dr. Bande Virgil
• The Children's Wellness Spot: Dr. Virgil's podcast on pediatric health
• Chronicles of Women in White Coats: Co-authored by Dr. Virgil
• Rest is Resistance: Book referenced about the importance of rest

📱 Connect With Dr. Bande Virgil

• Instagram: @themommydoc1
• Podcast: The Children's Wellness Spot (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify)

📱 Connect With Dr. Judy Wright

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judywrightmd/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judywrightmd
• Website:https://wellnesswithdrjudy.com/
• Book: "Girl, Get Your Life Off The Fault Line" https://wellnesswithdrjudy.com/faultline

👉 TAKE ACTION

If you're a healthcare professional struggling with balance, take Dr. Virgil's advice and start with one small change: dedicate 5-10 minutes each morning to ground yourself before starting your day. If your morning gets disrupted, take 1-2 minutes to reset during your day instead of pushing through.

 

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