What if a movie could help heal the broken relationship between physicians, patients, and the healthcare system? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Todd Otten, as they discuss burnout, moral injury, the power of storytelling, and how creativity can spark real transformation.
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Physicians are burning out. Patients are frustrated. The system feels broken. But what if storytelling could bridge the divide?
In this heartfelt episode of the Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma speaks with Dr. Todd Otten. Todd shares how personal experiences with burnout, colleague suicides, and daily frustrations in fee-for-service medicine led him to create a film that humanizes physicians while shining a light on systemic failures.
They explore the importance of patient-physician connection, the courage required to be vulnerable, the ripple effect of small actions, and how creativity and advocacy can drive meaningful healthcare change.
They talked about a teenage boy who spearheaded an effort to honor USS Indianapolis survivors. Hunter Scott, a 6th-grader, led a project to exonerate Captain Charles McVay III, who was court-martialed after the ship's tragic sinking in 1945. His efforts led to a Congressional resolution clearing McVay's name.
Full details in the link below:
Three Actionable Takeaways:
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. Todd Otten is a family physician who trained at Wayne State University and completed residency in St. John. A Navy veteran, he serves as the lead catalyst and chair of Medicine Forward. He is the executive producer of the documentary Suck It Up Buttercup: Trust and Betrayal, Healthcare in America, using film to humanize physicians and advocate for systemic change. He is also the author of Ripple of Change.
🌐 Learn more and watch the film: suckitupbuttercupfilm.com
🔗 Connect via LinkedIn: Dr. Todd R. Otten
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.