Dr. Angela Myers – Resilience, Reflection, and Redefining Well-Being in Healthcare - Episode 21

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Movement is the Medicine, Dr. Doug and Coach B sit down with Dr. Angela Myers, the newly appointed Chief Wellbeing Officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, to discuss leadership, healing, and the importance of taking care of those who care for others.

With nearly 25 years of service at Children’s Mercy, Dr. Myers has long been a respected leader in pediatric infectious disease and public health. Most notably, she served as the head of the hospital’s COVID-19 response, guiding her team—and the greater Kansas City community—through some of the most uncertain moments of the pandemic.

But Angela’s journey is not just about professional leadership. It’s about resilience in the face of personal adversity. In this episode, she opens up about her battle with cancer—not once, not twice, but three times. First in high school, then again in college, and most recently, in 2023, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the support of her family, colleagues, and Children's Mercy community, she took a 10-week leave of absence to heal, reflect, and ultimately realign her career with a new purpose: championing the well-being of healthcare workers.

Her decision to step away from leading the infectious disease division and into a role focused on caregiver wellness was emotional and courageous. In our conversation, Angela shares how that decision came to life, how she now defines success, and why supporting healthcare workers' health is essential to our children's health.

Topics Covered:

• Leading through a crisis: her role as head of COVID response at Children’s Mercy

• The emotional and physical toll of fighting cancer—three times

• The power of rest, reflection, and redefining purpose

• Why well-being in healthcare is not a luxury but a necessity

• How supporting caregivers improves outcomes for patients and builds stronger institutions

• The importance of vulnerability, gratitude, and letting go

This episode is a masterclass in grace under pressure and a profound reminder that movement and medicine go far beyond the physical. Dr. Angela Myers leads with heart, and her story will leave you inspired, challenged, and moved.

Don't miss this one. It's more than a podcast—it's a story of human strength.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.