Physician, Heal Thyself: How I Learned to Live Long and Prosper

There’s an old saying in medicine: “Physician, heal thyself.”  The phrase originates from the Bible, specifically Luke 4:23, where Jesus anticipates the skepticism he will face in his hometown. The phrase has since entered broader usage to express a timeless idea: that those who care for others must also care for themselves.

Over time, it’s taken on even more resonance in healthcare professions. For dentists, physicians and caregivers of all kinds, it’s a reminder that we can’t pour from an empty cup. If we are to effectively lead, serve and heal others, we must also take responsibility for our own health: physically, mentally, and emotionally. In fact, we healthcare providers must take care of ourselves with the same urgency and respect we give to our patients. For many years, I treated that idea as an afterthought, something I’d get around to once the work was done, when the meetings were over and I had taken care of everyone else. But like so many in our profession, I realized the hard way that you can’t lead effectively or live meaningfully if your tank is always running on empty.

That realization was the beginning of a personal transformation.

The Turning Point

After decades of practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery, advocating for the profession and raising a family, I found myself running at full speed without taking time to breathe. I had the credentials, the responsibilities and the schedule to prove success, but I didn’t have balance. I knew I couldn’t lead well unless I made a change.

So I did what many of us ask our patients to do: I made wellness a priority.

Dawn Patrol: A Bike, a Road, and a Reset

My journey toward health and longevity began before sunrise–literally. I started riding my bike early in the morning, long before most people were awake. What began as an effort to move more and feel better quickly became a sacred part of my day.

Cycling at dawn gives me clarity. The world is quiet. My phone isn’t ringing. There’s no agenda other than the road ahead. It’s in those hours that I reset my mind, build my strength and remind myself what it means to lead from a place of purpose.

From Sunrise Rides to the Finish Line

My pursuit of wellness didn’t stop with morning rides. Over time, I pushed myself further, training for and competing in triathlons. The discipline required–swimming, biking, running–mirrored the balance I strive for in leadership. I can’t excel in one leg and ignore the others.

As I pursued my fitness goals, I lost 70 pounds in the process and never felt better!

Much like leading in dentistry, success comes from preparation, endurance and showing up every single day, even when it’s hard. Crossing a finish line after months of training reminds me of what’s possible when we commit to ourselves–body and mind.

Health is Leadership

It makes you sustainable. Whether you’re leading a practice, mentoring young dentists or fighting for fair policy at the national level, your impact is only as strong as your health. Take it from me–taking care of yourself doesn’t make you selfish.

We ask a lot of dentists today. The pressures are real with workforce shortages, student debt, third-party interference and more. But we’ll never tackle those issues if we’re too burnt out to show up for ourselves first, then others. Making time for your own wellness, whatever that looks like for you, isn’t a luxury. It’s a leadership strategy.

Living Long and Prospering–Together

My message to every dentist out there is this: Your well-being is not separate from your professional success. It’s the foundation of it.

Eat better. Move more. Laugh with your family. Get outside. Turn off the phone when you can. Find a form of exercise that clears your head and fuels your body.

The point is–start. Not tomorrow. Today. Because our profession needs strong leaders now more than ever. The strongest leaders are the ones who know that taking care of themselves is the first step in taking care of others.