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Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor's Memoir of Fatherhood, Race and Perseverance in the Pandemic - written by Dr. Dhaval Desai"Devastatingly Poignant""Awe Inspiring"Book Review From Pamela Marie Hobby, our CEO “Listening to music on the drive home,” the music started to move him, and something dawned on Dr. Desai. He decided to show up for himself the same way he shows up for everyone else. After asking his PCP for help, he became the conductor of his own wellness train; ultimately leading him to a new destination where he would pay it forward to help fellow providers on seeking the help they desperately needed on their own journeys with burnout. In Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor's Memoir of Fatherhood, Race and Perseverance in the Pandemic, Dr. Dhaval Desai captures the tidal waves of mounting stress he endured walking into the wild unknown as a leading physician during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reading his memoir will be something that will stay with me forever. Fear was gripping the globe and healthcare professionals stood up to the task with determination and grit. As quarantined laypersons, we could only imagine what medical professionals were juggling inside the walls of the hospitals we rely on for care. The 1st wave, the 2nd wave, the 3rd wave, the 4th…Now, with Dr. Desai’s memoir, we can read his recounting of events as a heartbreaking reminder of what clinicians were up against and how their actions will go down in history. This is truly peeking behind the curtain into the first hand accounts of the heavy burdens that frontline providers carried for society. Similar to blood pressure rising and kettle water boiling, as readers we feel the immense pressures of his calling. How does he consistently make order out of chaos? Well, the sweet interactions of his home life interspersed throughout the memoir gave such balance to the tightrope he was truly walking for his team. My favorite moment of the book is when Yogita says, “I think you really like this.” Not only does this tip a hat to their relationship, but it was one of many examples of how she would become a pillar of strength for him. Yogita steals our hearts many times over in the book. His wife Yogita describes his road to publishing the book as: “My husband’s writing journey has truly been transformative. He has always been an exceptional and hardworking doctor, a loving husband, and a devoted father and this was transparent to anyone. However, just like any human being, he is not perfect, and this can be quite difficult to accept for a high-achieving individual. His writing journey, epitomized with the completion of “Burning out on the COVID Frontlines, A Father’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race, and Perseverance in the Pandemic” he shows profound bravery by embracing vulnerability. His positive transformation unfolds with a deeper understanding of self-care through mental health to overall well-being, and not needing to be the one to “do it all”. This newfound intuition not only elevates his own life, but also radiates into his role as a dedicated physician, leader, father, and husband.” It’s no wonder that Dr. Desai is a leading frontline physician, because of his tenacity and ability to adapt with catlike reflexes. This book is a great resource for physicians because he is not afraid to discuss his deepest vulnerabilities. I was in awe of the way that he courageously shared his vitiligo residency story. The iPad scenes will haunt me. Providers holding up iPads for families to say their last goodbyes is a call of duty far beyond what any of us could have ever predicted, but yet, those medical professionals proudly stepped up to the plate. Dr. Desai leads his team with dignity and a sort of camaraderie that makes him someone that others can rely on even in their darkest personal battles. He won’t let anyone down and that’s a leader! His integrity to stand firm and reach out for help is a lesson for us all. I’m so grateful that I will be able to gift this book and have it as a resource for our @mydoctorsmeds virtual book baskets series. Dr. Desai - Your calling became our saving grace. Thank you for helping the world! P.S. “Add to cart” this memoir because you are also doing a good deed! All proceeds for this book go directly to the @drlornabreenheroesfoundation, a charity named after the late Dr. Lorna Breen who was a dedicated clinical leader during the onset of the outbreak of COVID. Upon her death, her sister and brother-in-law changed the course of their lives to create more help care for healthcare workers. Follow and subscribe to Dr. Desai’s newest endeavor “Reporting Live with Dr. Desai” @doctordesaimd SUBSCRIBE To "Reporting LIVE with Dr. Desai" HERE My Doctor's Meds would love for everyone that follows us to take the time to learn about all the policy @drlornabreenheroesfoundation is moving in the right direction. MY DOCTOR'S MEDS BOOK BASKETS Highlighting the books and authors we love to bring meaningful support to medical professionals. Links in Title below! The Illusion of the Perfect Profession by Betsy Gall Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor's Memoir of Fatherhood, Race & Perseverance in the Pandemic by Dr. Dhaval Desai #HelpingTheHealers |