The answer is actually very simple. I’ve always loved teaching, and I enjoy educating.
Long before TikTok, LinkedIn, or Facebook existed, I was a writer. Over the years, I’ve published more than 65 newspaper op-eds on important medical topics because I believe patients deserve clear, understandable information, not just medical jargon.
As a cardiac surgeon, like all physicians, I spend my days caring for one patient at a time. That is an incredible privilege, but social media has given me the opportunity to educate thousands of people at once.
If just one video encourages someone to quit smoking, recognize the symptoms of a heart attack, seek treatment for valvular heart disease, ask better questions during a doctor’s appointment, or simply take better care of themselves, then I feel every minute has been worthwhile.
I also understand that not everyone agrees with physicians being on social media. Some colleagues worry about professionalism, oversimplification, or self-promotion. Those are valid concerns, and I respect them.
For me, that’s exactly why physicians who use social media must do it the right way.
My goal has never been to sensationalize medicine or seek attention. My goal is to educate, inspire, share the incredible work performed every day by healthcare professionals, and help patients better understand their own health.
Whenever I share a patient’s story, it is only with that patient’s permission and with complete respect for their privacy and dignity.
Medicine doesn’t end when a patient leaves the office or operating room. Educating patients is part of healing. The more people understand their health, the better decisions they can make.
If I can use modern technology to reach people with accurate, compassionate, evidence-based information, then I believe that’s simply an extension of my responsibility as a physician.
At the end of the day, I’m still the same teacher I’ve always been.
Social media is simply today’s classroom.
If somewhere out there, one person lives a healthier or longer life because of something they learned from one of my videos, then every minute spent creating that content has been worthwhile.
