We have become adept at identifying the contributing factors to burnout: working in silos, asymmetric rewards that undervalue certain roles, and a lack of wellness initiatives, though there are many others. And yet, even as we diagnose the problem, the needs of medical professionals themselves are often sidelined in the urgency of patient care.

The erosion of trust in institutions is not unique to medicine; it mirrors a broader societal trend that includes declining confidence in government, the press, and other pillars of public life. In healthcare, this loss of trust manifests as vaccine hesitancy and widespread skepticism toward the medical system. While these challenges stem from numerous factors – from the influence of social media to the soaring costs of care to historically-rooted racial inequities – one core issue is the breakdown in the relationship between patients and the medical establishment.

Physician burnout exacerbates this problem. When healthcare providers are overwhelmed and undervalued, they are less able to engage with patients in meaningful, empathetic ways that build trust and understanding. And yet, it is remarkable how many healthcare professionals continue to bring kindness, empathy, and dedication to their work each day, despite these challenges. We need to learn from these examples and make it easier for all healthcare workers to sustain such compassion. We must take care of our caregivers – for they are the foundation of our medical system.

Part of my purpose in evolving a better culture of medicine comes from witnessing the impact of disillusionment within my own family. My father, who began his career as an Emergency Room Physician in Los Angeles community hospitals, was deeply committed to his work. However, his experiences in medicine — shaped by his deep-seated mistrust of authority as the son of two Holocaust survivors and compounded by the grind of the profession and encounters with overly authoritarian superiors — left him feeling disillusioned. As a result, he began to question certain medical norms, including vaccinations, which influenced his decision not to have me vaccinated until I was 22 years old. While he still embraces many aspects of conventional medicine, his journey reflects the complex and often painful reality of how burnout and negative experiences can shape a physician’s perspective—not just for themselves, but for their patients and families as well.

These experiences have driven me to advocate for and work on efforts that address the mental and emotional well-being of my colleagues. This is why I am so passionate about the work we are doing with The Kindness Coalition. The Kindness Coalition is an organization and initiative aimed at fostering kindness and collaboration among healthcare workers. Our goal is simple but profound: to bring kindness back to the center of healthcare. Through various initiatives – from sharing stories of empathy and compassion to organizing collaborative events that build community – we aim to cultivate a more connected, inclusive, and human medical community. We’re not pretending to have all the answers or to fully understand every facet of the problem, but we do know that addressing it will require all of us working together.

There are simple, actionable steps we can take to rebuild ourselves and our relationships with patients. Recognizing the humanity in one another is the foundation upon which we can build a more empathetic, effective healthcare system. As we embark on this journey, we must remember that caring for medical professionals is not a luxury – it is the bedrock of a functioning medical system. By prioritizing kindness and well-being for healthcare workers, we create a better environment not only for ourselves but also for our patients. It is time to take our own advice and put on our own oxygen masks.