38. The Words We Wear: Clarifying Professional Identity in Healthcare from Vermont
Fri, 07/24/2026 - 5:30pm | Dr. ShaikhIs your job title just a label or a signal of trust? In this episode, we go beyond the word "provider" to explore the ethics of naming in modern medicine. From the 1965 Medicare origins of the "P-word" to the complex journey of Professional Identity Formation, we discuss how titles like Physician, Nurse Practitioner, and Physician Assistant shape team-based care and the therapeutic relationship. Jan Carney tells us how the ethics of names and labels can change healthcare from a commercial transaction back into a human calling. Discover why clarity is a form of kindness for patients and why reclaiming professional identities is vital for clinician wellbeing and resilience.