Ep63 | Beyond ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup’: Reclaiming the Soul of Medicine with Dr. Todd Otten

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Physicians are burning out. Patients are frustrated. The system feels broken. But what if storytelling could bridge the divide?

In this heartfelt episode of the Scalpel and Sword Podcast, Dr. Lee Sharma speaks with Dr. Todd Otten. Todd shares how personal experiences with burnout, colleague suicides, and daily frustrations in fee-for-service medicine led him to create a film that humanizes physicians while shining a light on systemic failures.

They explore the importance of patient-physician connection, the courage required to be vulnerable, the ripple effect of small actions, and how creativity and advocacy can drive meaningful healthcare change.

They talked about a teenage boy who spearheaded an effort to honor USS Indianapolis survivors. Hunter Scott, a 6th-grader, led a project to exonerate Captain Charles McVay III, who was court-martialed after the ship’s tragic sinking in 1945. His efforts led to a Congressional resolution clearing McVay’s name. 

Full details in the link below:

https://www.google.com/search?q=teenage+boy+who+spearheaded+effort+to+Honor+uss+Indianapolis+survivors&oq=teenage+boy+who+spearheaded+effort+to+Honor+uss+Indianapolis+survivors+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTMzNzkyajBqOagCDrACAfEFtnOMY8RxS0E&client=ms-android-verizon-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lfId=ChxjMe

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Humanize the Experience: Share your real struggles as a clinician; not to complain, but to build connection. Patients want to see physicians as humans, not superheroes. That vulnerability strengthens relationships and encourages patients to become allies in reform.

• Use Creativity as a Tool for Change: Whether through film, writing, art, or other outlets, expressing your experiences creatively can process trauma, inspire others, and open doors for advocacy. Todd turned pain into a documentary that is already moving people to action.

• Focus on Time, Talent, and Treasure: Everyone can contribute to healthcare improvement. Donate time (volunteer), talent (create or advocate), or treasure (support organizations). Small, consistent actions from millions of people create a tsunami of change.

About the Show:

 Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Todd Otten is a family physician who trained at Wayne State University and completed residency in St. John. A Navy veteran, he serves as the lead catalyst and chair of Medicine Forward. He is the executive producer of the documentary Suck It Up Buttercup: Trust and Betrayal, Healthcare in America, using film to humanize physicians and advocate for systemic change. He is also the author of Ripple of Change.

🌐 Learn more and watch the film: suckitupbuttercupfilm.com (http://suckitupbuttercupfilm.com)

🔗 Connect via LinkedIn: Dr. Todd R. Otten (https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-r-otten-md-faafp-173028277)

About the Host:

Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:

📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com (mailto:scalpelandsword@gmail.com)

🌐 Website: East Alabama Health – Dr. Sharma (https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics)

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

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