Healing the healers through anonymous storytelling.

Healthcare workers are immersed in stories of illness and tragedies, of hope and cures.

But how often do we really get to talk about the things we’ve experienced?

Introducing Medicine Unmasked

A new podcast that gives medical professionals a safe space to anonymously share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs

Hear From Anonymous Voices

“My very first night of residency, I was on a night shift at a community hospital taking care of 30 people. And I had never taken care of more than TWO people as a medical student. That's not that common in a lot of other medical specialties. Like there's at least some sort of backup or whatever. My backup was like literally at home and they're like, call me if somebody codes.

Like, that's not real advice. Like, what am I supposed to do then? You know?”

— General Surgery Resident

“And then Covid hit and, I was in the subspecialty that was supposed to have the answers. I was one of two fellows at the time that were in the ICU. We saw close to 90 patients a day. All my attendings got sick. People were dying, and we were doing all the wrong things. Whether it was intubating too soon or giving the wrong meds…there were too many unknowns. And any hope that we could offer… was supposed to be us. It was supposed to be infectious disease.”

— ID Attending

Now let me tell you - I’ve been a nurse for thirty-five years. I love my job. And I can handle just about anything you can throw at me, I’ve seen it all. And in these thirty-five years, there is only one patient that whenever I am assigned to them, which is quite frequent, they are so rude and disrespectful to me, that just thinking about entering that room makes me have panic attacks. They make me…regret ever becoming a nurse. And I didn’t think I could tell anyone that.

— Med/Surg RN

“There’s a reason why so many people in medicine have anxiety. I think that's what kind of separates medicine from other careers, right? Is that mindset - Is all the extra work, time, and worrying you're putting in going to come down to life or death for somebody else?”

— Medical Student

Meet your host,
Dr. Soniya Pimparkar

Dr. Soniya Pimparkar, the creator and host of Medicine Unmasked, is a family medicine physician specializing in hospital medicine. With a strong emphasis on narrative medicine and medical humanities, her goal is to foster systemic change in American healthcare through the transformative power of storytelling.

Dr. Pimparkar is deeply dedicated to helping medical professionals engage in authentic self-reflection and unravels the threads of resilience through shared stories. Her expertise shines as she guides anonymous medical professionals, amplifying their voices and cultivating empathy and understanding in the process. Through her work, she strives to build connections and promote resilience among students, colleagues, and patients alike.

Your story matters.
Share it fearlessly.

Do you have a story that you would be willing to share on the podcast?

Do you enjoy writing reflective pieces (poetry, stories, spoken word) that you might be interested in either reading on the podcast or having an anonymous medical professional read on your behalf?

If so, please reach out - we can’t wait to hear from you!

Medicine Unmasked invites you to anonymously share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs. This is your opportunity to contribute to a community that understands the unique struggles of working in healthcare.

By sharing your story or reflections, you provide solace, inspiration, and support to fellow healthcare professionals who may be facing similar journeys. Your voice matters, and together, we can foster healing and resilience within the healthcare community.

  • Sharing stories is a powerful tool for building a positive work culture and improving the mental health of healthcare workers. However, finding a safe space to share these stories without fear of consequences can be challenging. Anonymous storytelling provides a platform where healthcare professionals can openly share their experiences without revealing personal identifying details, such as their name, hospital affiliation, or specific patient information. This anonymity reduces the fear of judgment or retribution and encourages honest and open dialogue.

  • Each interview will be semi-structured, meaning you will have a general idea of the topics or experiences that will be discussed. While it's not necessary to fully develop a story beforehand, it would be helpful to reflect on relevant experiences you would like to share during the interview.

  • We welcome stories from healthcare workers that encompass their professional journey, tales of illness and healing, and the unique challenges they face in their roles.

    By sharing experiences and discussing difficult situations, healthcare professionals find solace in a supportive community. Hearing stories from others who have encountered similar situations offers new perspectives, and valuable lessons, and promotes emotional processing. This podcast aims to create an environment where healthcare workers can cope with job-related stress, improve their mental health, and find support among their peers.

Share your story.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We can’t wait to hear from you.

For all other inquiries, use this handy form!