What happens when a future physician confronts the past, present, and future of medical labor rights? In this thoughtful and timely conversation, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Tarun Ramesh, soon to begin his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, to unpack his NEJM article, “Striking a Balance,” which examines the ethics, history, and global impact of physician strikes.

Together, they explore why doctors are increasingly turning to unions—from South Korea’s historic 2024 resident strike to post-pandemic organizing in Boston. Dr. Ramesh offers compelling insights on how burnout, corporatization, and lack of clinician voice are fueling a new era of collective action. With historical context and global comparisons, he helps frame a vision for balanced policies that prioritize both physician wellbeing and patient safety.

From the risks of punitive backlash to the policy promise of minimum staffing laws and advanced notice provisions, this episode is a masterclass in labor advocacy, ethics, and modern medical leadership.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Protect Without Punishing: Punitive government responses to physician strikes (e.g., South Korea) can erode trust. Constructive frameworks with legal safeguards can maintain continuity of care.
2. Multiple Paths to Voice: Unionization is one tool, but organized medicine, hospital committees, and leadership roles are equally vital avenues for clinician advocacy.
3. Physicians as Policy Partners: Excluding doctors from healthcare policy—whether in strike negotiations or hospital ownership—means ignoring frontline wisdom that drives better patient outcomes.
   

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:
Dr. Tarun Ramesh is a medical student at Harvard and incoming internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. His article “Striking a Balance” was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, exploring physician collective bargaining through a global lens. His academic work centers on health economics, workforce policy, and the evolving dynamics of clinician labor. He has deep research experience in hospital financial models, and his advocacy work reflects a deep commitment to clinician wellbeing and health system transformation.

Twitter: @TarunR99

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarun-ramesh/

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

Connect: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

What happens when a combat medic turns to the law to continue his mission of service? In this deeply inspiring episode, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Zej Moczydlowski, who shares how his years providing care in austere environments from Sub-Saharan Africa to the ER taught him to lead through crisis, work across hierarchies, and find humanity in hardship.

Zej discusses the unique dynamics of medical teams in the military, where saving lives sometimes meant pushing past traditional roles and stepping into leadership with humility and resolve. He also reflects on his pivot to law school, his passion for international justice, and how medicine taught him to manage pressure, handle trauma, and stay focused on outcomes, not ego.

From delivering babies in Tampa to debriding wounds in South Sudan, Zej’s stories reveal a powerful truth: the skills we carry into conflict—professional, emotional, and ethical—can shape the justice we pursue. His dream? To prosecute war crimes and protect the most vulnerable through global legal systems. This episode is a masterclass in courage, compassion, and conviction.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Lead with Team, Not Title – Zej’s experience shows how military medical teams succeed by flattening hierarchies and focusing on outcomes, not credentials.
2. Bridge Conflict with Care – Even in combat zones, medicine can become a tool for diplomacy and healing. From OB care to trauma response, Zej shares how care builds connection.
3. Turn Off, Turn On – Learning when to emotionally detach and when to re-engage is a skill both in war and in law. Resilience is about regulation—not just endurance.

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:
Zej Moczydlowski is a U.S. Army Special Operations Combat Medic and recent graduate of Washington University School of Law. He is pursuing an LL.M. in International Legal Studies at NYU, focusing on international criminal law, armed conflict, and atrocity prevention. Zej has worked in some of the world’s most austere environments—including South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Uganda—where he led trauma care in combat zones and humanitarian crises.

In law, he’s interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. District Court in California. Zej is also a published author in the Harvard International Law Journal and has contributed to the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative under Professor Leila Sadat. His mission-driven path continues as he prepares to advocate for human rights and prosecute international war crimes on the global stage.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zejmski/

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

What does it take to thrive in medicine beyond clinical excellence? In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma speaks with Dr. Resa Lewiss about the small, everyday actions that can make a big impact on your career. Dr. Lewiss shares how she turned feelings of being left out of the "professional playbook" into a guide for others, offering practical tools like pausing before reacting, scheduling emails thoughtfully, and recognizing conflict early.

They also explore the deeper cost of unresolved conflict in the workplace, from burnout to poor patient care. Dr. Lewiss explains how to spot gaslighting using the D.A.R.V.O. framework and why having a trusted support circle—your personal board of directors—can make all the difference.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Recognize Conflict Early – Learn the signs of subtle and systemic conflict (like gaslighting) and begin documenting patterns to better respond and protect yourself.
2. Schedule with Intent – Respect your team’s boundaries by drafting emails when inspiration strikes—but scheduling them to send during working hours.
3. Build Your Board – Create a personal board of directors: people you trust who offer honest, thoughtful guidance during professional challenges.

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:
Dr. Resa Lewiss is a board-certified emergency physician, professor of emergency medicine, and a pioneer in point-of-care ultrasound. A graduate of Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, she has trained and taught at top institutions including Harvard and Mount Sinai. She is the co-author of MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact, a guide to practical workplace strategies that address conflict, leadership, and psychological safety. A frequent keynote speaker and advocate for equity in medicine, Dr. Lewiss uses storytelling and strategy to empower healthcare professionals at every level.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resaelewissmd/

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma interviews Dr. Nicole Carter who has made advocacy a core part of her medical career. Dr. Carter reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her to fill an information void in her community, offering clear, compassionate, and science-based updates that blended her expertise as a physician with her roles as a mother and daughter.

Beyond the pandemic, Dr. Carter discusses her continued advocacy through organizations such as the Georgia Chapter of the AAP Legislative Committee, gun control advocacy groups, and her local Indivisible chapter. She shares her experiences speaking at town halls, engaging in public health discussions, and mobilizing community efforts ranging from legislative town halls to food drives. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Carter emphasizes the importance of inner support circles, the value of humility in medical practice, and the need for physicians to step out of their comfort zones to protect patients and democracy.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Build Your Support Network – Develop an inner circle or personal board of directors to provide emotional support, honest feedback, and encouragement as you engage in advocacy.
2. Start Where You Are – Join local or state advocacy organizations that align with your professional values, allowing you to amplify your voice while connecting with like-minded peers.
3. Embrace Humility – Approach patient conversations and advocacy with openness and willingness to say, "I don’t know, but I will find out," which builds trust and fosters productive dialogue.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Nicole Carter is a board-certified pediatrician practicing in LaGrange, Georgia with WellStar Medical Group. Originally from Michigan, she completed her undergraduate studies at Albion College, attended medical school at Northwestern University, and completed her pediatrics residency at Duke University. Over the past 20 years, she has built her career while also raising her family in the Auburn, Alabama area.

In addition to providing compassionate care to her young patients, Dr. Carter has become a passionate advocate on public health, pediatric safety, women's health, gun control legislation, and voting rights. She actively participates in advocacy organizations including the Georgia AAP Legislative Committee, gun control initiatives, and her local Indivisible chapter. Dr. Carter blends her medical expertise with personal experience, community leadership, and an unwavering commitment to advocate for policies that safeguard children and families.

About the Host:

Dr. Lee Sharma – A gynecologist in Auburn, AL, with a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and over 30 years of experience in the medical field.. She graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1993. A physician passionate about helping colleagues address conflicts and thrive in medicine through practical strategies and open conversations.

Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma: Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com Website: https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Stepping into practice as a young physician can be daunting, especially when it comes to negotiating contracts and building a team in a rural setting. In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Anesia Allen, to discuss how she navigated these challenges with confidence and clarity. Dr. Allen shares her journey of negotiating her first contract, securing key terms like protected time off, and ensuring her team aligned with the community’s needs.
From working with a medical contract attorney to drawing on mentorship and her experiences as an Auburn cheerleader, she offers practical strategies for young physicians to advocate for themselves and their patients. This episode is essential listening for medical students, residents, and early-career physicians looking to establish their practice with purpose.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Seek Expert Guidance – Hire a medical contract attorney to review your contract and learn what to look for, ensuring terms like salary and hours align with market standards.
2. Define Your Non-Negotiables – Clearly outline must-haves, like protected days off or team composition, before entering negotiations to maintain work-life balance and patient care quality.
3. Take Time to Reflect – If possible, take a break after residency to research opportunities and clarify your goals, allowing you to negotiate from a place of confidence and clarity.

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:
Dr. Anesia Allen is a family medicine physician practicing at a medical and dental clinic in Lynette, Alabama, a rural community where she serves as a primary care provider. A graduate of Auburn University, where she was a cheerleader, and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, she completed her family medicine residency at Cahaba Heights in Birmingham, Alabama. During her internship, she received a scholarship from the Board of Medical Examiners for a rural health program, reflecting her commitment to underserved areas. Dr. Allen’s early career has been marked by her ability to negotiate confidently, drawing on mentorship from Dr. Lee Sharma and lessons from her cheerleading experience, where she learned perseverance and teamwork after not making the team on her first try. Passionate about community-focused care, she actively builds teams that connect with local patients and mentors peers navigating contract negotiations.

Website: https://www.medifind.com/doctors/anesia-g-allen/257401986
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/anesia-allen-b25096287

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma – A gynecologist in Auburn, AL, with a master’s degree in conflict resolution and over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1993. A physician passionate about helping colleagues address conflicts and thrive in medicine through practical strategies and open conversations.
Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:

Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

Website: https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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Starting third-year medical school is like stepping into a firestorm—new challenges, high stakes, and constant conflict. In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma talks with Dr. Natalie Simpkins about her journey through medical school and the conflicts she faced on the wards. Natalie shares candid insights on navigating patient care, collaborating with peers, and managing the hierarchy of specialties like surgery and OB-GYN. From dealing with “gunners” to learning not to take rapid-fire interactions personally, Natalie’s story is a must-listen for aspiring physicians and anyone curious about the human side of medical training.

Three Actionable Takeaways

1. Embrace the Sandbox Mindset – Approach third-year challenges as a chance to explore and learn. Ask, “What am I missing?” to avoid anchoring to a single diagnosis and keep the big picture in focus.
2. Don’t Take It Personally – In high-pressure specialties like surgery or OB-GYN, rapid communication isn’t about you—it’s about getting the job done. Focus on the patient to stay grounded.
3. Build Your Tribe – Seek mentors, especially those who share your identity (e.g., women in medicine), to create a supportive community that fuels resilience and growth.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Natalie Simpkins : A senior medical student at the University of South Alabama School of Medicine, set to begin her primary care residency at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. A graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Natalie has a diverse background as a patient care tech, athletic trainer, and marching band trumpeter. Mentored by strong female physicians, she’s a trailblazer for women in medicine, building a career rooted in patient-first care and community support.
Website: http://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2022/11/meet-med-student-natalie-simpkins.html?m=1
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/natalie-simpkins-5b637914a

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma – A gynecologist in Auburn, AL with a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1993. A physician passionate about helping colleagues address conflicts and thrive in medicine through practical strategies and open conversations.
Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:

Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

Website: https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Navigating the business side of medicine can be daunting, especially for women physicians who often face unique challenges in negotiation. In this episode, Dr. Lee Sharma sits down with Dr. Mona Bakshi-Kamath, to discuss how she mastered the art of negotiation to secure fair reimbursement and create a patient-centered practice.

Dr. Kamath shares her journey of diving deep into billing and reimbursement, advocating for equitable pay, and restructuring her schedule to prioritize both patient care and personal well-being. From leveraging data to negotiate with hospital administrators to setting boundaries that enhance quality of life, her insights are a roadmap for physicians looking to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape. This episode is a must-listen for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians seeking to advocate for themselves and their patients.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Do Your Homework – Research reimbursement rates and RVU calculations for your state and specialty before negotiating contracts to ensure fair pay. Compare with colleagues in similar roles to strengthen your case.
2. Prioritize Patient Care in Negotiations – Frame your requests around improving patient outcomes, like reducing hospital readmissions, to align with hospital goals and make your case compelling.
3. Set Clear Boundaries – Define your minimum and maximum workload to achieve work-life balance. Visualize your ideal day to ensure contracts support both professional and personal goals.

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Mona Kamath is a family medicine physician at East Alabama Medical Center in Valley, Alabama. With a background in Locum Tenens and experience at West Point Military Academy, she brings a wealth of knowledge in primary care and reimbursement strategies. Inspired by her father’s lessons in negotiation, Dr. Kamath is passionate about mentoring women physicians to advocate for fair pay and balanced lives.

Website: https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/mona-bakshi-kamath-m-d-internal-medicine

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma – An obstetrician in Auburn, AL with a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1993. A physician passionate about helping colleagues address conflicts and thrive in medicine through practical strategies and open conversations.
Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:

Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

Website: https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

In this episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma, sits down with Dr. Meshia Wallace, to share her journey from nursing to pulmonary and critical care, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to protect both her professional calling and personal passions, like fashion. From navigating the intense demands of 2020 to mentoring female residents to find their voice, Dr. Wallace offers practical advice for physicians—especially women—on prioritizing self-care and establishing boundaries to sustain a fulfilling career. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to balance medicine’s demands with personal growth.

Biggest Takeaways:

1. Prioritize Your Calling – Identify your top priority (e.g., medicine) and structure boundaries around it to ensure other pursuits, like content creation, complement rather than compete with it.
2. Practice Setting Boundaries – Start with small boundaries in low-stakes situations, like saying no to extra hours, and build confidence to enforce them in bigger contexts, drawing inspiration from mentors or peers.
3. Schedule Self-Reflection – Reassess priorities and boundaries annually (e.g., every January) to align your professional and personal life with your evolving goals, ensuring time for rest and rejuvenation.

About the Show:
Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:
Dr. Meshia Wallace is a pulmonary and critical care physician at East Alabama Health in Opelika, Alabama, where she serves as director of pulmonary medicine and mentors residents—earning the title of favorite instructor.

An international medical graduate from Ross University, Dr. Wallace also has a background in nursing and deep cultural roots in Jamaica and Brooklyn. Known online as The Style MD, she blends her love for fashion and medicine, creating content that inspires and empowers since 2020.

Connect with Dr. Wallace:
📺 YouTube: @the_stylemd
🎵 TikTok: @the_stylemd
📸 Instagram: @the_stylemd

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma – An obstetrician in Auburn, AL with a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1993. A physician passionate about helping colleagues address conflicts and thrive in medicine through practical strategies and open conversations.

Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:

Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com

Website: www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/scalpelandsword

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.