Let your words...
...commence
Summer State of Mind
Hello, Doctor! Summer is here! And summer is the perfect time to write.
Long summer days can provide extended periods of alertness and inspiration. A more relaxed schedule allows for dedicated writing time without the usual pressures. Travels and changes in scenery can spark new ideas.
Ice cream, barbeques, ocean spray, sunbeams, swimming pools, chirping crickets — the sensations of summer can be powerful triggers.
Enjoy the warmth and relaxation. Embrace the summer vibes and let your words flow.
In This Issue
Sharpen Your Skills
Move Up Month
The Award Goes To…
Prime Concepts
Writing Rx
Getting Acquainted
Solstice Sentiment
Sharpen Your Skills
Do you have a story to tell? As a physician, you witness extraordinary moments every day. Now's your chance to transform those experiences into compelling narratives. Join us for a virtual conference designed to ignite your passion for writing and empower you to share your unique voice.
Writing & Storytelling in Healthcare (virtual conference)
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Eastern
Place: Google Meet
What to Expect:
Inspiring Talks: Learn from published physician-authors like Sasha Yakhkind, MD (Writing for an Anthology), Jeff Millstein, MD (Turning Medical Experiences into Essays), and Maria Simbra, MD (Conference Moderator).
Interactive Exercises: Hone your writing skills with practical exercises led by our expert faculty.
Valuable Feedback: Get constructive feedback on your writing from a supportive community.
Past attendees rave about the conference:
"A supportive and welcoming environment that fostered creativity."
"The small-group setting allowed for personalized feedback."
"The feedback on my essay was invaluable! It gave me the direction I needed to finish it."
Ready to take your writing and storytelling to the next level? Register today and secure the best rate!
Learn more: https://www.ironedwordsproductions.com/writing-storytelling-in-healthcare
Move Up Month
In the medical world, everything moves up and changes in July.
That holds true here, too. Here are the advancing opportunities at Dr. Maria on Writing starting next month:
Journaling Club. A virtual meet up once a month with other doctors. With the help of prompts, we’ll journal together and share. First Thursday evening of the month, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern OR 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Eastern, depending on the time zones of participants. Six sessions over six months. Learn more here: https://www.ironedwordsproductions.com/journaling-club
DocWriteRx™. This new lit mag features doctors who write. It launches right here on this newsletter channel in July. Read words penned by your colleagues. There will be poetry, op-eds, personal anecdotes, and more. Subscribe for the full experience.
The Award Goes To…
Join me on June 7 at City of Asylum in Alphabet City on Pittsburgh’s North Side as I present at this year’s TAZ Awards. The Authors’ Zone honors books of merit and distinction. I am honored to be part of the pomp and circumstance.
It’s free to attend! RSVP by email.
Prime Concepts
In this month’s Writing & Storytelling in Healthcare: the Primer, get some background on narrative medicine: what is it, what is it supposed to do, and more. Watch this newsletter channel for more.
Writing Rx
Get your words in an upcoming issue of DocWriteRx™!
Please write 100 to 500 words on one of these topics…
How do you deal with the stress of your job?
What are your thoughts on the role of technology in medicine?
How do you engage with patients who are reluctant to follow your medical advice?
Experiment with form and genre. You may write an anecdote, a personal essay, poetry, or even a short screenplay. Have fun with this.
Upon publication, the author will receive a free premium subscription of Healing Ink™ for one year, an $80 value. That includes all paywalled material and future bonuses in that year.
Click on the button below to submit.
Getting Acquainted
My first career was in medicine. I was a neurologist.
I moved on to a second career in TV news. When I was out and about, people would recognize me in that regard.
But every now and then, someone would recognize me as their doctor.
In fact, when my husband and I were refinancing our mortgage, the bank officer looked at me and said, “I know you.”
I graciously smiled, anticipating he was going to say he saw me on KDKA-CBS Pittsburgh. But he said, “You took care of my dad when he was in the hospital in Beaver.”
My expression morphed into surprise. “Oh?”
“Yes. You were the only doctor to check his blood pressure lying down, sitting up, and standing. You were the only one who took the time to figure out what was wrong.”
His comment took me on a trip down memory lane. I nodded and smiled. “I was just doing my job.”
Solstice Sentiment
“June is the time for dreams to take flight and soar into reality.”
See you next month for the next dose of Healing Ink™.
Check out our sister publication on Substack, Hot Off the Iron.
— Maria Simbra, MD, MA, MPH, Director and Principal of Ironed Words Productions, LLC