Ep 14. The Illusion of the Perfect Profession with Betsy Gall

What happens when the profession you love ends up taking everything from you?

In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Betsy Gall, author of The Illusion of the Perfect Profession, to talk about physician suicide, the hidden cost of perfectionism, and the very real pain that’s often buried beneath a white coat.

Following the tragic death by suicide of her husband, Dr. Matthew Gall—a beloved oncologist, husband, and father—Betsy transformed her grief into advocacy. Her book, grounded in raw journal entries and letters to God, is a personal and powerful testament to the urgent need for change in how we support those who care for us.

Together, they explore:

✔️ Why Betsy believes being a doctor cost Matt his life
 ✔️ The identity loss and shame that stop physicians from asking for help
 ✔️ The barriers physicians face in accessing mental health care
 ✔️ How to humanize our healthcare system from the inside out

📌 Referenced in this episode:
 🔗 The Illusion of the Perfect Profession by Betsy Gall: https://a.co/d/btSG8qa
🔗 Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation: https://drlornabreen.org

👤 About the Guest:

Betsy Gall is an author, speaker, real estate investor, and mother of three. After losing her husband, Dr. Matthew Gall, to suicide in 2019, she became a fierce advocate for physician mental health and well-being. Her memoir, The Illusion of the Perfect Profession, is a candid and healing account of grief, faith, and the broken systems that need urgent reform. Today, she partners with organizations like the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation to share her family's story and fight for lasting change in healthcare.
🔗 Connect with Betsy:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsygall1/

💙 About the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation:

The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the well-being of healthcare professionals and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. It was founded in honor of Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician who died by suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic after facing unrelenting professional pressure.

Impact Highlights:

✅ Passed the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act
✅ Advocates for removing mental health questions from licensing/credentialing
✅ Provides grants and training to build resilient workplace cultures in healthcare

🔗 Support their work: https://drlornabreen.org/donate

🎙 About the Host:

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified Internal Medicine and Geriatrics physician, Master Certified Life Coach, and the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®. A passionate speaker, writer, and podcast host, 

Dr. Shabbir empowers high achievers to create sustainable well-being.

She is a proud Ambassador of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and a national voice in the movement for clinician mental health.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Amna Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amnashabbirmd
🌍 Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/speaking
 

❗ Important Notes:

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode