Dr. John welcomes Marilyn Sorensen, a seasoned family nurse practitioner with over 43 years of experience. Marilyn shares her journey into medicine, initially debating between music and nursing before ultimately choosing healthcare as a practical and fulfilling career. She reflects on her upbringing in a military family, living in Germany during high school, and how her father's role as the "Berlin Candy Bomber" influenced her values of compassion and service. Marilyn's decision to pursue nursing was shaped by her experiences with patients and personal life events, including the loss of a family member to kidney cancer, which motivated her to advance her education and become a nurse practitioner.
The conversation highlights Marilyn's passion for patient-centered care, particularly in women's health, bioidentical hormone therapy, osteoporosis management, and general family medicine. She and Dr. John discuss the importance of spending adequate time with patients, creating meaningful connections, and avoiding the rushed, impersonal nature of corporate healthcare. They emphasize the role of music in healing, drawing parallels between Marilyn’s love for music and the artistry involved in patient care. Dr. John also shares his own experiences integrating music into his practice, including his reputation as the “singing doctor” in Moab.
As Marilyn joins the Voyage Clinics team, she expresses enthusiasm for the clinic’s mission to provide personalized, accessible, and transparent healthcare. She and Dr. John reflect on the broken aspects of the healthcare system, the challenges of maintaining integrity in a fast-paced industry, and the importance of making patients feel heard. The episode concludes with a heartfelt discussion about Marilyn’s late father’s legacy and the lasting impact of kindness in both medicine and life.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice nor as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
