Re-introducing Chief Complaint
Hi everyone! Lots of new faces here. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and Chief Complaint and thank you for being here. It truly means a lot.
I'm Mara, a family physician and writer. I've always been interested in the ways that the culture of medicine intersects with gender, race, fatphobia and ableism. I write about health, parenting, friendship, feminism, body image, and figuring out how to live a good life. Oh, and snacks.
Many of you joined this community recently after I published an essay on NPR about my decision to try -- and then quit -- Ozempic. It was a very personal piece about a choice that I haven't publicly discussed before. If you haven't read it, I'd be honored if you'd take a look and let me know what you think.
I'm thrilled to share that I'm writing a book! It's called How To Take Up Space: A Doctor's Guide To Joy And Justice For All Bodies, and it will be coming your way, god willing, in 2027. I'll be sharing ideas for the book here on Chief Complaint, and I would love to hear your thoughts. (Really!) One of the most fun things about Substack is that it isn't writing into the void -- it's writing that creates real relationships with real people.
This post will be short. Right now, I'm traveling about as far away from home as it's possible to get. My family and I braved the flights from Philadelphia, USA to Brisbane, Australia for the wedding of one of my husband's oldest and dearest friends. (Pro tip: six hours straight of Paw Patrol is a valid technique for flying across the Pacific Ocean with a preschooler.)
We are having a blast. We have checked out koalas, kangaroos, and an unbelievably awesome water taxi that took us all over the city for a mere 50 cents. There is delicious espresso everywhere and many light-filled, plant-filled cafes. Oh, and a beautiful wedding where, as usual, I cried.
This weekend, we head to New Zealand, where the weather will be much cooler and we will be hiking, biking, and exploring the stunning nature of the South Island.
So for now, I'll leave you with some of my favorite posts from Chief Complaint. I can't wait to get to know you better.
Why I'm having only one kid
I saw a patient recently whom I hadn’t seen in a few years. He’s a jolly man in his 70s, always smiling and ribbing me about the co-pay.
What is "obesity-first"medicine?
Welcome to Chief Complaint! For those of you who are new, this newsletter features intermittent musings about medicine, gender, parenting, and body liberation — all from your friendly neighborhood primary care doc. I’m so happy you’re here.
Why does my medical record say I'm fat?
Thanks so much to my new subscribers who have arrived here by way of my latest essay for NPR. I’ve gotten so many heartening responses, and a few trolls, which I consider a badge of honor. I feel lucky to work with a thoughtful and open-minded editor at NPR.
Attacks on trans people harm all of us
In Torrey Peters’ brilliant novel about transgender community and parenthood called Detransition, Baby, there’s a brief mention of a doctor who prescribes gender-affirming hormones to the protagonist. It’s a throwaway description in the book, but it has become lodged in my consciousness.
My favorite books of 2024
Welcome to Chief Complaint! For those of you who are new, this newsletter features intermittent musings about medicine, gender, parenting, and body justice — all from your friendly neighborhood primary care doc. I’m so happy you’re here.
I recently had a terrible experience with a fat-shaming doctor and have been trying to figure out how to communicate with her. I think I’ll share this post and some of your references. I’m not going back to her but hope she might treat others better in the future. Thank you!
Not sure what’s more impressive- the book getting published or 6 hours of Paw Patrol!! Okay I’ve thought about it and it’s definitely the book 😁