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. 👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this with a friend or colleague who needs to hear it. 📌 Follow Dr. Francis Mei Harden: Hippocratic Collective: www.hippocratic-collective.com IG:   / francesmeimd   TT:   / francesmeimd   Podcast: Surgeon Interrupted (Spotify, Apple) 📱 Follow Dr. Antonio Webb Instagram –   / drantoniowebbmd   Website – https://antoniowebbmd.com YouTube –    / @drantoniowebb   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