Clark Benson, Pittsburgh Post reporter covering public health and economy. Here to connect with healthcare workers and chat about the issues most important to them.
Ask or DM for interview requests. Anonymous sources will be honored.

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wallacepolsom
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
dirt enthusiast
AnasAbdin
tumblr dot com

⁂
One Nice Bug Per Day
almost home

Origami Around

oozey mess
Three Goblin Art
sheepfilms
hello vonnie
occasionally subtle
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Sade Olutola
YOU ARE THE REASON
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seen from France

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seen from Malaysia

seen from Canada
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@bensononthebeat
Clark Benson, Pittsburgh Post reporter covering public health and economy. Here to connect with healthcare workers and chat about the issues most important to them.
Ask or DM for interview requests. Anonymous sources will be honored.
Give me toothaches just from kissin’ me.
@bensononthebeat
he can't even handle all that 😔
#that should be me
fight me paper boy 👊
Sienna, I know better.
Give me toothaches just from kissin’ me.
@bensononthebeat
he can't even handle all that 😔
#that should be me
Give me toothaches just from kissin’ me.
@bensononthebeat
I hope you're very pleased with your trinkets.
Notes – Dr. Michael Robinavitch, Chief of Emergency Medicine
Three Bs: burnout, boundaries, and benevolence.
BURNOUT
The mental and emotional cost of care weighs on veteran physicians. We discussed, briefly, the idea of vulnerability with one's peers. That's not as simple for an attending, let alone a chief attending—see notes on Dr. Park—who is not only educating medical residents and students, but looked to for answers from junior attendings.
The isolation of leadership is something to touch on in the finished article.
BOUNDARIES
Anonymous nonpatients approach Dr. Robinavitch via Tumblr while he's off the clock, thus eroding what was meant to be an outlet for him.
Furthermore, this Tumblr community includes "almost every single person [he] know[s]" and, thus, creates a sort of limbo between the identity of a leader and a person. Like Dr. Park, Dr. Robinavitch tends not to publish his personal life online without prompting (although, I suspect this is more about volume of questions he receives, rather than staunch privacy).
That said, his romantic relationship provides an outlet that he is understandably protective of. He cites achieving trust and vulnerability with his partners; love is a giving thing of a different kind, and in its most honest, definitional form, it's reciprocal. That can be healing. Explore the concept of "on" versus "off;" giving for work versus giving for the joy and fulfillment of attachment.
BENEVOLENCE
Dr. Robinavitch's is a story about empathy. Despite the burnout, despite the seemingly constant testing of his boundaries, this is a physician whose care for others is a natural, wordless guide to him.
The sword is double edged. As he wields it, it cuts back; as he gives, the less of him remains.
But it's not quite so tragic, this story. Dr. Robinavitch also comes across as a very healed man. He has explored therapy. He has found love. He maintains a sense of humor as well as personal passions. Finding and holding onto this balance, as shown by my below notes from Dr. Bueno, makes him a better educator and leader.
He's just a man. And isn't that the most humanizing thing of all?
Quotes:
"I found out that almost every single person I know is also on here, so that didn’t really work out because who wants to be vulnerable with their peers?"
"They [anonymous nonpatients] usually come through when I’m off the clock and frankly don’t want to work anymore."
"There are also a lot of things I hold back for the sake of my reputation and the position I hold among my peers that are on here."
"I don’t really let myself get vulnerable here because I don’t want that to be part of my peers’ perception of me, especially those that I’m directly in charge of. Maybe it feels like I’d be showing weakness. And I feel like that could potentially lead to a lapse in trust in me to lead my department, which can’t happen in a fast-paced environment like the ED that relies so much on teamwork and the leadership of me and the other attending physicians."
"Sometimes I think maybe it would be beneficial for me to be more vulnerable. Not just for myself, but for the people I know here."
"I do think it takes a certain strength to be vulnerable with others, and maybe there would be something to gain for those I serve as a mentor to."
"I’ve dedicated so much of my life to my work and to the people there (both patients and coworkers) that it all blends together now. My work is my life and my life is my work. There’s a little bit of separation, but not much. I’m not saying that’s healthy, but it’s just… the way it is."
From Dr. Lyla Bueno, junior emergency attending (directly reports to Dr. Robinavitch):
When Dr. Bueno responded to my request for a conversation with Dr. Robinavitch's juniors, we talked about the role of all attendings, not just seniors, in the education of new doctors.
"Sometimes we’re equals, on the same level, and other times I feel like I’m still a resident. I’ve got a lot to learn, and I actually quite like taking on that role sometimes because I know he’s the one who’s going to guide me."
"Having people look up to you as a example and pay close attention to everything you say and do isn’t easy. But you realise that you’re the one who’s going to guide those people to become better than you, so my role is crucial, for the future of healthcare and for forming better people."
"People often judge a doctor by their professionalism, but many have forgotten about empathy. I take that very seriously when it comes to passing on knowledge to them."
"No one will deny that you’re knowledgeable, that you’ve been properly qualified, but if you lack empathy, I’m not sure how much use your skills are. You have to remember that you’re working with people, not just another number... this is real life."
Follow ups:
Make time to speak with Dr. Abbot and Dr. Whitaker, if they're aggreeable.
@robinavitch-rx @personalowl
It was a pleasure!
The pleasure was all mine! PTMC is lucky to have you.
Notes – Dr. Michael Robinavitch, Chief of Emergency Medicine
Three Bs: burnout, boundaries, and benevolence.
BURNOUT
The mental and emotional cost of care weighs on veteran physicians. We discussed, briefly, the idea of vulnerability with one's peers. That's not as simple for an attending, let alone a chief attending—see notes on Dr. Park—who is not only educating medical residents and students, but looked to for answers from junior attendings.
The isolation of leadership is something to touch on in the finished article.
BOUNDARIES
Anonymous nonpatients approach Dr. Robinavitch via Tumblr while he's off the clock, thus eroding what was meant to be an outlet for him.
Furthermore, this Tumblr community includes "almost every single person [he] know[s]" and, thus, creates a sort of limbo between the identity of a leader and a person. Like Dr. Park, Dr. Robinavitch tends not to publish his personal life online without prompting (although, I suspect this is more about volume of questions he receives, rather than staunch privacy).
That said, his romantic relationship provides an outlet that he is understandably protective of. He cites achieving trust and vulnerability with his partners; love is a giving thing of a different kind, and in its most honest, definitional form, it's reciprocal. That can be healing. Explore the concept of "on" versus "off;" giving for work versus giving for the joy and fulfillment of attachment.
BENEVOLENCE
Dr. Robinavitch's is a story about empathy. Despite the burnout, despite the seemingly constant testing of his boundaries, this is a physician whose care for others is a natural, wordless guide to him.
The sword is double edged. As he wields it, it cuts back; as he gives, the less of him remains.
But it's not quite so tragic, this story. Dr. Robinavitch also comes across as a very healed man. He has explored therapy. He has found love. He maintains a sense of humor as well as personal passions. Finding and holding onto this balance, as shown by my below notes from Dr. Bueno, makes him a better educator and leader.
He's just a man. And isn't that the most humanizing thing of all?
Quotes:
"I found out that almost every single person I know is also on here, so that didn’t really work out because who wants to be vulnerable with their peers?"
"They [anonymous nonpatients] usually come through when I’m off the clock and frankly don’t want to work anymore."
"There are also a lot of things I hold back for the sake of my reputation and the position I hold among my peers that are on here."
"I don’t really let myself get vulnerable here because I don’t want that to be part of my peers’ perception of me, especially those that I’m directly in charge of. Maybe it feels like I’d be showing weakness. And I feel like that could potentially lead to a lapse in trust in me to lead my department, which can’t happen in a fast-paced environment like the ED that relies so much on teamwork and the leadership of me and the other attending physicians."
"Sometimes I think maybe it would be beneficial for me to be more vulnerable. Not just for myself, but for the people I know here."
"I do think it takes a certain strength to be vulnerable with others, and maybe there would be something to gain for those I serve as a mentor to."
"I’ve dedicated so much of my life to my work and to the people there (both patients and coworkers) that it all blends together now. My work is my life and my life is my work. There’s a little bit of separation, but not much. I’m not saying that’s healthy, but it’s just… the way it is."
From Dr. Lyla Bueno, junior emergency attending (directly reports to Dr. Robinavitch):
When Dr. Bueno responded to my request for a conversation with Dr. Robinavitch's juniors, we talked about the role of all attendings, not just seniors, in the education of new doctors.
"Sometimes we’re equals, on the same level, and other times I feel like I’m still a resident. I’ve got a lot to learn, and I actually quite like taking on that role sometimes because I know he’s the one who’s going to guide me."
"Having people look up to you as a example and pay close attention to everything you say and do isn’t easy. But you realise that you’re the one who’s going to guide those people to become better than you, so my role is crucial, for the future of healthcare and for forming better people."
"People often judge a doctor by their professionalism, but many have forgotten about empathy. I take that very seriously when it comes to passing on knowledge to them."
"No one will deny that you’re knowledgeable, that you’ve been properly qualified, but if you lack empathy, I’m not sure how much use your skills are. You have to remember that you’re working with people, not just another number... this is real life."
Follow ups:
Make time to speak with Dr. Abbot and Dr. Whitaker, if they're aggreeable.
@robinavitch-rx @personalowl
You’re so fine ik you’re taken but do you have a single sibling or cousin or something?
I have a younger brother not currently seeing anyone. My older sister is married. Too many cousins to list.
You might also try @macrosmatter?
REPORTER 😃📰✍️📸
@chiefofpediatrics
Hello, Dr. Cohen. Have you received my emails?
? @robinavitch-rx @dietdrpark
Can I ask what you’re doing?
Chomp.
Maybe not?
do you wax your chest?
Um.
i learned to sew from my grandma who wasn’t really my grandma but this old lady that was around a lot during my childhood (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)!! sewing is fun! i like making quilts!! i’d show you but then you’d know who i am (,,>﹏<,,)! do you know how to sew kiki?
— 𐔌՞. .՞𐦯
That's really sweet. I guess I know how to sew enough to put a button back on, but not really more than that, and it'd probably look pretty clumsy.
I also think it's nice that you had older adults who weren't your parents around to learn from. That's community, right?
I met with a patient with a similar experience as me today… not sure how much we could do just with us two but if you’re willing to write something about cults in the US we’re both willing to talk.
Absolutely, without a doubt. I'll reiterate that I can respect anonymous sources because of how sensitive I'm sure this is.
Up to you if you'd rather DM or send the story via anonymous ask.
something i’m interested in? ummm honestly i have zero clue..i don’t have time to have interests. i live vicariously through the people around me ദ്ദി◝ ⩊ ◜)! i like sewing if that’s anything..i don’t get to do that much though… wow i really don’t know what else im interested in kiki, you got me beat.
— 𐔌՞. .՞𐦯
You sound like a kind, sociable person. How'd you get into sewing? That's a cool skill.
ur girfrend is relly nice i see why u like her. stubrorn tho. meanie. but stll nice
is it ok m huggin her i dont want u upset she smels like milo but shes rly nice an idon feel well but shes rlly nice u deserve smeone rlly nice like her
-@milo-medicine
It's okay to hug Rowan.
I'm really glad you're keeping each other safe tonight. It makes me feel better to know that you're together.
Have some water and get some rest.
im gonna vomit i think i have food poison it was nice knowing you
-ryguy
Why is everyone coming to my blog about these things? I’m one of, what, two non-doctors on this platform?
hehehheee u an roamn sittn in a tre k i s s i n g then u kiss heheheee u like herrrrrrrrrrr
-@milo-medicine
I sure do.
Are you alright?
shes tryina kiddmnap me
?
@rowan-after-dark?