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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.

Tags: influence

Showing 6 results:


Leaders and Legacy Reflection
When physicians or faculty leaders are struggling in their roles—or with certain parts of them—I often ask: "When you think of a leader you admire, what qualities stand out?" They usually name things such as integrity. Strength. Clinical wisdom. Courage. Kindness. Collaboration. And almost always...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 admiration awareness balance boundaries capacity choice clarity courage decline dedication delegation discomfort expansion growth impact influence integrity kindness leaders leadership legacy modeling possibility presence purpose rolemodeling streamline strength sustainability tension wisdom
Reflection: Passing it On
This past week, I had the great honor of sitting in a (virtual) room with five individuals who have dedicated decades of their careers to leadership in graduate medical education (GME). The idea for this gathering started one morning when I woke up thinking about how tough leading in GME can be. ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 collaborative growth collective wisdom community connection cultivation honoring humility impact influence inspiration intergenerational learning knowledge transfer leadership legacy longevity meaning making mentorship reflective practice ripple effect slow leadership stewardship storytelling transparency vision casting vulnerability wisdom
Filtering Voices: Story and Reflection
Like many medical students, I went back and forth on what specialty I really loved. OB/GYN? Sports Medicine? Internal Medicine? Rheum? Endocrine? Psychiatry? Adolescent Medicine? (Yes, all of them!) I also had a fantastic role model in my dad, an outpatient family doc beloved by his patients. And...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 12, 2025 affirmation belonging choice clarity compassion confidence courage decision making doubt encouragement identity influence insecurity integrity internal guidance judgment medical culture mentorship perception power dynamics purpose reassurance reflection respect self-trust soundtracks validation values voice wisdom
Great Progress Reflection
What's in a subject line? Specifically an email subject line. No, this isn't a reflection on best email practices. Just the power of words. You know how we often keep a dialog going via email by replying to the original one sent, creating a chain of emails? Well, these past couple of weeks, I hav...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 10, 2025 awareness communication correspondence digital dialogue email emotion energy experiment framing impact influence intention interaction language messaging mindfulness mood naming narrative perception priming reflection resonance response subject line tone tone setting word choice
Team Reflection
I invite you this week to pause and reflect. First, reflect on the BEST team you've ever been a part of. What were the behaviors, characteristics, practices, established culture, and norms made it so? When you've listed it all out, pause, think more, and dig deeper. Second, if this is your curren...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor — Jun 03, 2025 alignment appreciation awareness belonging celebration collaboration connection contribution culture engagement gratitude growth influence leadership motivation norms reflection support teamwork trust
Fall Focus Reflection
"What you focus on expands." (multiple attributions) I recalled this quote while watching my brilliant friend, Dr. Tricia James, explain how her modification of Stephen Covey's circles of influence and concern applies to us in medicine. The outer circle applies to all of those things that are ou...
Jun 03, 2025 acceptance attention awareness boundaries control emotions empowerment energy focus growth influence intention leadership medicine mindset perspective reframing regulation resilience suffering

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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