There lies a profound irony within the realm of medicine: Those who tend to the hearts often neglect their own.

This reality became strikingly clear to me this past weekend, as I found myself in a gathering of female cardiologists at The American College of Cardiology in D.C.

The women present were intelligent and empathetic. They dedicate their time to pacing hearts, restarting them, and inserting stents. They are authorities on life’s essential rhythm. They seldom take a moment to truly feel their own heartbeat.

This observation applies to the majority of women in the medical field. Particularly women in leadership roles. And especially those in predominantly male fields. We bear the weight of care, excellence, and relentless duty. We operate within a culture that values overwork and perfectionism, where taking a break must be justified. Self-sacrifice is anticipated. We seldom, if ever, receive the opportunity to reflect or readjust.

I was invited to facilitate a full-day immersive experience for a cohort of mid-career female leaders in cardiology. This unique setting was crafted by a woman leader for women leaders—an intentional offering of healing, connection, and development. The atmosphere thrummed with energy and optimism—courageous inquiries, laughter, honesty, and the tangible energy of women who had finally discovered a space where they didn’t have to wear a mask.

I imparted lessons on leadership and sustainability from the heart: How to reshape our approach to leading from within. How to unlearn the sense of urgency. How to acknowledge the wisdom of our own physical being. And how to anchor ourselves in something more enduring than mere achievement.

I discussed diastole—the resting phase of the heartbeat. That sacred moment when the heart replenishes. Without this, nothing can function. Without it, collapse is unavoidable. This is not merely metaphorical. It is biological truth.

What if leadership isn’t about accomplishing more, but about becoming more whole? What if the method by which we rejuvenate holds equal importance to the way we execute?

In medicine, we are instructed to lead from intellect. From expertise. From a need for control. Seldom are we encouraged to lead from our body, our breath, or the rhythm of our heart.

What I observed was deeply impactful:

– When doctors start to lead with intention and authenticity instead of reaction, everything transforms.
– Pace relaxes.
– Presence intensifies.
– Connection becomes achievable.

This is the type of leadership we require. Not louder voices, but steadier ones. Not increased efficiency, but greater humanity.

I departed the weekend rejuvenated once more by witnessing the flicker of recognition, the relief of being acknowledged, and the bravery to lead in a new way. I left with optimism for a different, healthier, and more sustainable future in medicine.

Change doesn’t originate from a system. It always begins with a single person. One courageous physician choosing to lead from the heart, creating one sacred space where belonging is tangible and the essence of medicine begins to awaken once more.

Sharing this work and fostering this transformation is challenging, yet it is crucial. The future of medicine will not heal by pushing harder. It will be restored in environments like this—spaces where physiology is respected, where coherence is achievable, and where we remember that leading as a complete human is not a privilege, but a necessity.

*Jessie Mahoney is a board-certified pediatrician, certified coach, mindfulness and yoga instructor, and the founder of Pause & Presence Coaching & Retreats. After nearly two decades as a physician leader at the Permanente Medical Group/Kaiser, she moved outside the conventional medical framework to reimagine what sustainable well-being in healthcare could resemble. She can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.*

*Dr. Mahoney’s work confronts the culture of overwork and self-neglect in medicine. She assists physicians and leaders in developing clarity, intention, and balance—utilizing mindfulness, coaching, yoga, and lifestyle medicine to foster significant and enduring change. Her CME retreats provide a transformative space for healing, self-discovery, and renewal.*

*As co-host of the podcast, Healing Medicine, she integrates self-compassion and presence into conversations regarding modern medical practice. A highly sought-after speaker and consultant, she collaborates with organizations to cultivate more human-centered, sustainable, and inspired medical cultures.*

*Dr. Mahoney is an alumna of Dartmouth College and the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.*