Stories & Reflections from a Family Medicine Physician Coach

Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

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 and 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

Stress Reflection

This week, I invite you to look at a particular stressor you are currently facing, just faced, or anticipate facing. At first glance, how is it a threat? When you look through this lens of what's at risk? Notice how that feels. For me, I notice an increased intensity in my heartbeat and a little ...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 08, 2025 adaptability agency awareness breath challenge clarity empowerment mindset neurobiology presence problem-solving reframe regulation resilience resources response shift stress threat

Story Reflection

This past week, I listened to a webinar featuring Dr. Paul Chelminski from UNC - Chapel Hill (and my former faculty advisor in the CHARM GME Wellbeing Course). He stated that much of our discontent in medicine comes from taking too much refuge in the idealized version of medicine. (My interpretat...

by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 08, 2025 acceptance advocacy agency aspiration boundaries compassion connection discontent gratitude grounding idealism inspiration mindset perspective presence purpose realignment reality reflefction satisfaction

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Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections

Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.

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