Mindful Medicine: Finding Resilience on Everest with Dr. Mimi Zieman

Welcome to Mindful Medicine, where we explore the intersection of mindfulness, health, and transformative experiences. In this episode, Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA and host of the MGMA Insights Podcast, speaks with Dr. Mimi Zieman—an OB/GYN, adventurer, and author of the memoir Tap Dancing on Everest. Dr. Zieman’s story takes us from her beginnings in New York City to her pivotal role as the expedition doctor on an unaided climb of Everest. She shares profound insights into the healing power of nature, the courage to embrace the unknown, and lessons from her multifaceted career in medicine, writing, and beyond. Key Discussion Points (with Timestamps):[00:01:00] Introduction to Dr. Mimi Zieman Dr. Zieman’s background as an OB/GYN, author, and adventurer, and her unique journey from New York City to the peaks of Everest.[00:02:30] Discovering a Love for Mountains How a college field biology lab in Colorado sparked her lifelong passion for the mountains and adventure.[00:05:30] Highlights from Dr. Zieman’s Medical Career Her work in academic medicine, leadership at Emory’s family planning program, and transitioning into consulting and creative writing.[00:10:00] Writing Tap Dancing on Everest The inspiration behind her memoir, how the title evolved, and the pivotal moment she literally danced on Everest.[00:13:30] Role as Expedition Doctor on Everest Reflections on serving as the medical officer during an unaided climb of Everest, supporting the climbers while managing extreme conditions.[00:16:30] Influence of Her Father’s Story How her father’s experience as a Holocaust survivor shaped her identity, perspective on resilience, and approach to both medicine and life.[00:18:00] Healing Power of Nature and Solitude Insights on how extreme natural environments and mindfulness practices influenced her understanding of health and well-being.[00:20:30] Facing Uncertainty in Life and Leadership Dr. Zieman’s advice for medical leaders on embracing challenges and fostering growth through uncertainty.[00:23:00] Outro What’s next for Dr. Zieman, including upcoming writing projects and creative endeavors. Resources and Links:Tap Dancing on Everest: Purchase the book here.Dr. Mimi Zieman’s Newsletter: Explore Medicine, Mountains, and More on Substack.Managing Contraception (17th Edition): Find out more.Learn about the MGMA community and more episodes of Mindful Medicine: MGMA Insights Podcast. CareCredit Are your patients concerned about out-of-pocket costs? Is your practice looking for a way to help address those concerns and improve the patient experience? Then, you may want to consider offering the CareCredit credit card as a payment option. For over thirty-five years, CareCredit, a Synchrony solution, has been offering patients a way to pay for health and wellness expenses not covered by insurance. CareCredit can seamlessly integrate with your business and offer a valuable financing option for your patients so they can pay for services or products over time to help fit their budget. To learn more about how CareCredit works for you and your patients, visit  www.carecredit.com/mgmapodcast. NextGen Looking to transform your healthcare practice with AI? NextGen Healthcare is leading the way by leveraging artificial intelligence. It is helping practices improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance patient outcomes. From predictive analytics to automating routine tasks, NextGen Healthcare's AI solutions are revolutionizing the delivery of care. Don't miss out on the future of healthcare innovation. Visit https://www.nextgen.com/ today to learn how NextGen Healthcare can help you drive efficiency and elevate patient care.