Why I Walked Away From Being a Surgeon | WebbMD Podcast
In this raw and unfiltered episode of the WebbMD Podcast, former ENT surgeon Dr. Francis Mei Harden opens up about her decision to leave medicine just three months ago—and why it might have saved her life.
From her early days in astrophysics at Fermilab to enduring malignant residency culture, Dr. Harden takes us through the trauma, burnout, and broken systems that pushed her to the brink. We talk about physician suicide, identity loss, toxic leadership, and the unspoken culture of hazing in medical training.
This conversation is a must-watch for medical students, residents, healthcare workers, and anyone wondering what really happens behind the scenes in hospitals today.
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Podcast: Surgeon Interrupted (Spotify, Apple)
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00:00 - Intro: From Astrophysics to ENT Surgeon
01:35 - Leaving Surgery: “90 Days Sober”
03:12 - Why the System Is Broken for Young Doctors
05:10 - Pressure from Family vs. Personal Identity
07:45 - Residency Horror Stories & Burnout Begins
10:30 - "I'm Not Locked In With You—You're Locked In With Me"
13:50 - The Day I Left the OR in Tears
17:25 - Identity Crisis & Suicidal Thoughts
20:10 - Why Today’s Attendings Wouldn’t Get In
22:00 - The Real Reason Doctors Are Leaving in Droves
24:40 - My Program Director Told Me I Had a 'Resilience Problem'
27:15 - The Turning Point: Standing Up for Myself
29:30 - Why This Story Isn't Embarrassing for Me
31:00 - The Physician Suicide Crisis No One Talks About
33:45 - The Importance of Leadership in Medicine
35:20 - Leaving Medicine: How I Knew It Was Time
37:05 - Starting Over: Hippocratic Collective & Second Careers
39:40 - Advice for Burnt Out Doctors Feeling Trapped
42:10 - Advice to Premeds: Know Yourself First
44:30 - What Surprised Me Most After Leaving Medicine
46:00 - Surgeon Interrupted Podcast + What’s Next
47:45 - Final Thoughts: You’re Not Trapped—You Just Haven’t Given Yourself Permission