Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.
Unconventional, Story and Reflection
Many of you know that my husband and I had our kids during training. It was most definitely not common in the 90's to do so, especially with both of us in medical school and residency. But, hey, we embraced the unconventional.
Our girls learned to march to their own tunes as well. Especially the ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
adaptability
confidence
courage
creativity
curiosity
experimentation
fearlessness
growth
humor
innovation
inspiration
nourishment
parenthood
possibility
redesign
resilience
risk-taking
support
training
unconventional
Boundaries and Antics, Story and Reflection
Many of you know I recommend Brave Boundaries, a book by Dr. Sasha Shillcutt. After she co-hosted a group session for residents and faculty last year, I saw Aardvark (that's our pet-name for our older style Roomba vacuum) and his virtual barrier shown in the photo in a new light. That little cont...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
awareness
boundaries
consequences
experience
growth
humor
instinct
intuition
judgment
learning
planning
protection
reflection
reflex
resilience
risk
safety
self-preservation
vulnerability
wisdom
Synergy - Story and Reflection
After residency training, my first job was back in my hometown. My dad, also a family doc, worked in the same healthcare system but in a different office - until his office was closed and he moved into mine. We actually shared a patient care hallway for a couple of years.
We had vastly different ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
appreciation
collaboration
complementarity
confidence
contribution
experience
family
growth
humility
knowledge
legacy
mentorship
perspective
respect
self-doubt
style
synergy
teamwork
value
wisdom
When the Jacket Fits, Story and Reflection
Once upon a time, as core faculty with various leadership roles, I was unexpectedly summoned to meet with the program director. He said he wanted to discuss my attitude with me. "MY attitude??!!" I thought. I was busting my tail to make the program better. What could possibly be wrong with my att...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
attitude
awareness
blindspots
burnout
change
coaching
collaboration
communication
courage
criticism
ego
emotional intelligence
feedback
growth
humility
insight
leadership
mindset
ownership
partnership
recalibration
recovery
reflection
self-reflection
Spring Outside Story and Reflection
On March 6, my husband said - let's run tomorrow night. Our local running store offers unofficial community runs each week. Normally, I'm the least spontaneous person I know - maybe it was his enthusiasm or the sun shining through my Alaskan window. I was like, "Let's do it!"
It was a fabulous ru...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
adaptation
appreciation
awareness
change
community
gratitude
growth
hope
humor
identity
joy
light
optimism
perspective
privilege
reflection
reframing
resilience
seasons
spontaneity
Cooking with the Caylor's Story & Reflection
A few years back, I had just returned from a rewarding conference in Napa put on by Harvard School of Public Health and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) - Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives. Healthy nutrition science meets taste 💜.
The first year my husband and I attended, I came home energiz...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
adaptation
assumptions
boundaries
burnout
communication
delegation
expectations
gratitude
hospitality
humility
insight
leadership
partnership
preparation
realism
resilience
resources
support
systems
teamwork
Forced Pause Story and Reflection
My leisurely start to morning clinic with a no-show was short-lived. The kind, new MA took longer than experienced MAs to room patients, which began stacking up. I had almost caught up when I walked in to see another patient. Based on the CC, I was fairly sure this would be my opportunity to "get...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
acceptance
burnout prevention
cocreation
compassion
connection
control
disruption
empathy
frustration
grace
listening
mindfulness
pause
perspective
presence
reflection
reframe
repair
resilience
systems
Suffering Story and Reflection
We were only a little over 2 hours into our hike, and my feet were killing me. It was my first backpacking trip through Crow Pass. We had knocked out 3 of the 23 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain after work Friday afternoon. We set up camp by Crystal Lake. I was so uncomfortable that I wondered if...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
aging
assumptions
awareness
compassion
confidence
endurance
fitness
growth
humor
innercritic
insight
mindset
misattribution
narrative
perspective
reflection
reframing
resilience
self-doubt
self-talk
suffering
Worst Case, Story and Reflection
Early on, as a new physician coach, one of my first group sessions was in a Zoom breakout room with residents during their grand rounds. The main room topic, presented by another physician coach, a surgeon, was Unhealthy Perfectionism, briefly mentioning how our thoughts affect our emotions and a...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
assumptions
avoidance
awareness
coaching
curiosity
empathy
engagement
grace
insight
intent
interpretation
mindset
patience
perception
presence
projection
reflection
silence
uncertainty
vulnerability
The Spectacle Reflection
Back when my youngest daughter was on the high school track team, I sat in stands cheering her team on. I was watching the guys race the 1600 meters. The front two were neck and neck on the last curve. Suddenly one collapsed.
You know those times when you are thankful for a timely article or lect...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
accpetance
awareness
courage
embarrassment
emotion
empathy
grace
growth
humanity
humor
perspective
presence
processing
recovery
reflection
resilience
response
support
survival
vulnerability
What's Possible Reflection
My husband has an affinity for renovation. He's talked me into 3 major renovations over 3 decades. He's the visionary. I used to be overwhelmed walking into places and immediately discount them as hopeless. But, he would say, "It has good bones," and "I can see it in my mind."
I learned to believ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
belief
brainstorm
brainstorming
collaborate
collaboration
creativity
flexibility
growth
innovation
mindset
obstacles
optimism
patience
persistence
perspective
possibility
renovation
resourceful
resourcefulness
solutions
strategy
support
vision
Accomplishing the Mission Reflection
Last June, the Titan submersive caught the attention of the world. When he described the Naval Submarine Priorities in all situations, Rear Admiral John Mauger caught my attention when he said: "Number 1 is Safety, Number 2 is maybe something along the lines of avoiding counter detection, Number ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
altruism
boundaries
intervention
leadership
mission
overextension
perspective
prevention
priorities
proactvity
recovery
reflection
resilience
rest
risk
safety
self-awareness
sustainability
warning-signs
wellness
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
