What happens when you’re a military surgeon, a new mom, and a woman navigating two male-dominated worlds — all at once?
This week, I sat down with Dr. Amy Vertrees — a trauma surgeon, Army veteran, and mom of two — who knows what it’s like to deliver babies, build a career, and serve her country… all while navigating early motherhood.
We talk about:
- What changed her mind about having children after a decade of marriage
- The real story behind being pregnant during surgical residency
- Leaving an 8-month-old behind for deployment — and what helped her cope
- How she moved from perfectionism to presence in her parenting
- Her message for every Physician mom who’s ever felt guilty for working or leaving
If you’ve ever felt torn between your calling and your children — this one will stay with you.
You don’t have to be in the room to still be raising them.
You don’t have to be everything, all the time, to be enough.
And you’re allowed to show up in motherhood your way — even if it looks nothing like the script you were handed.
What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!
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