July 2025 President’s Message

Let’s push back to restore the healer’s touch

by Jany Moussa, MD —

Over the years I’ve noticed a quiet shift in how patients perceive us. Increasingly they see us not as healers but as part of a system – sometimes even as businesspeople managing transactions rather than human lives.

I believe this perception stems from the growing complexity and commercialization of healthcare, where time is short, paper­work is abundant, and the warmth of connection can get lost in the shuffle.

But I also believe we can push back.

One small but meaningful change I’ve made is choosing to meet patients in my office instead of the exam room whenever possible. It’s a softer entry point – less sterile, less intimidating. My office is filled with personal touches: photos of my family, snapshots of me playing keyboard with my band, and a few proud displays of my Kansas City Chiefs and Wichita State Shockers memorabilia. These simple things help patients see me not just as a physician but as a person. And that changes everything.

To make time for deeper, more meaningful conversations dur­ing the day, I prepare my clinic notes the evening before while at home. This habit takes extra time, but it allows me to be fully present during visits – able to listen not just to symptoms but to stories, concerns and what truly matters.

I also reconnect with the heart of medicine by volunteering at the Guadalupe Clinic, where I provide specialty nephrology care to underserved patients. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always require technology or billing codes – it often begins with simply showing up and listening.

Something beautiful happens when patients see the person behind the profession. Walls come down. Trust builds. Conversa­tions deepen.

As physicians, we carry more than clinical expertise — we carry the power to heal through connection. Let’s reclaim that. Let’s make space for eye contact, for kindness, for sharing a laugh. Let’s remind our patients – and ourselves – that medicine is not just science. It’s also art, humanity and heart.

Ways to reconnect with our patients

Here are a few small steps that can make a big difference in restoring the human side of medicine:

• Use the patient’s name often; it builds familiarity and comfort.
• Start with an open-ended question. “What’s on your mind today?” invites real conversation.
• Sit down during the visit. Even a brief moment at eye level changes how time is perceived.
• End with a personal note. Recall a detail from a past visit or ask, “How can I make your care better?”
• Celebrate small victories. Recognize their efforts, even for things like diet changes or quitting smoking.
• Follow up personally. A MyChart message or short call after tough news can be deeply healing.
• Invite feedback. Ask how your office or approach can better serve their needs.
• Make the environment welcoming. Warm lighting, local art or music can reduce anxiety.

Wishing you meaningful moments with your patients this month.