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We are thankful to work with so many inspiring doctors who are changing the world. But what are doctors thankful for?

We asked dozens of doctors about what they are most thankful for for this year. Here’s what they had to say.

Nina Shapiro, MD

So much to be thankful for. Of course the health and happiness of my family. In these challenging times, I am especially thankful for their safety every day. I’m thankful for my patients’ parents trusting me to care for their children, and I never minimize the fear that families have when a child is sick. Literally and figuratively, handing ones child to another is one of the most difficult things to do, and I feel privileged every day to have that responsibility on the receiving end. I am thankful for my teams at work– nurses, residents, students, and staff. We are in this together, and I am lucky to have them.

Twitter: @drninashapiro

Website: Dr. Nina Shapiro

Romila “Romie” Mushtaq, MD, ABIHM

I’m thankful for the continued opportunity to spread a message of how Western medicine and Eastern wisdom can be brought together to optimize brain and mental health.

Twitter: @DrROMILA

Website: Brain Body Beauty

Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD



I am thankful for the privilege to treat patients in times of need and also for my amazing family and friends!

Twitter: @dgbderm

Website: Health Digital

Gregory Cumberford DDS, GP

I am thankful that I am able to work in a profession that lets me help people every single day and give back to the community.

Website: Dr. Gregory Cumberford

Ashley Sumrall, MD

As a physician who primarily treats terminal cancer patients, I am thankful for the new cancer therapies that are rapidly being developed. Immunotherapy is revolutionizing how we care for cancer patients. Instead of poisoning our sick patients, we can use their own immune system to fight their diseases.

Twitter: @ashleysumrallmd

Website: Carolina’s Healthcare

Charles F. Glassman, MD

I am thankful for having an entire other family (my patients) that my immediate family doesn’t even know!

Charles F. Glassman, MD

Twitter: @charlesglassman

Website: Charles Glassman, MD

William R. Yates, MD



I am most thankful for:

Access to world-class academic institutions Research opportunities to improve patient care Ability to travel to new places Religious freedom and worship options Health and family

Twitter: @WRY999

Website: Brain Posts

Andrea Paul, MD & BoardVitals Founder

Twitter: @BoardVitals

Website: BoardVitals, The Medical Speciality Question Banks

I’m thankful to work with so many powerful and inspiring doctors, nurses and medical professionals every day. Together we are changing the world of medical education and their support means the world to me.

Carole Lieberman M.D. America’s Psychiatrist

I’m thankful for the opportunity to provide an oasis of sanity in this increasingly crazy world, to my patients and others beyond my office walls, who read my books and listen to my advice on TV and radio.

I have long been trying to break through people’s denial about the impact of terrorism on their mind and heart, and I am thankful that people are beginning to listen more closely now.

Twitter: @drcarolemd

Website: Dr. Carole

Benjamin Stueben, MD

I am thankful for the opportunity to be involved in medical education. In addition, I am thankful for my health and family.

Twitter: @BoardVitals

Website: BoardVitals, The Medical Speciality Question Banks

Tamara Lazic Strugar, MD FAAD

#1 My healthy family – feeling loved and loving them

#2 Having a job I absolutely love – healing and teaching

#3 Surviving another year in NYC, one of the most exciting and dangerous cities in the world

Website: West Park Medical Group

Nancy Simpkins, MD

My family, my friends and my great office practice!!

Twitter: @drnancysimpkins

Website: Nancy Simpkins

Sergio Alvarez, MD

I’m thankful for my family, we have a strong family bond. Even though we live in different parts of the country, we find ways to reunite on a monthly basis. My father was no doubt my biggest role model and the one that always pushed me to do what I wanted and to do it at the best of my ability. Even though he was a physician, it wasn’t his desire that I follow his footsteps rather that I choose something that I was passionate about and be the best that I could be. His ability to make a better life for his family and truly live out his dreams has always been inspiring. He is my hero.

Twitter: @sergioalvarezmd

Website: Alvarez Plastic Surgery

Dmitri Alden, MD FACS

I am most grateful for the trust of my patients who believe in my knowledge and my hands to take them through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Twitter: @liversurgeryny

Website: LiverSurgery

James Webb, MD

I’m thankful that I found a niche where I do the greatest good for patients, make a great living and still have time to pursue music professionally.

Twitter: @drjameswebb

Website: Doctor by Day, Singer by Night.

Juan Alzate, MD & Neurosurgeon

I am thankful, most importantly, for my family, my kids (Zoey and Lexi), my wife (Robyn) and my extended family for being supportive of me over the years as I pursued a career to help other people. And secondly, I am thankful for our country – the United States – which welcomed me with open arms as I looked to further my education as a neurosurgeon and serve patients.

Website: Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA)

Twitter: @CancerCenter

Jared Heathman, MD

This year I am thankful for new patients that actively seek out information and initiate change that may result in a healthier and happier lifestyle. Since some patients ignore good advice, it is a blessing to see those taking action and producing benefits. It brightens both the patient’s and the physician’s day.

Website: Your Family Psychiatrist

Scott Schreiber, MD

Most of all I am thankful for my wonderful family. I have a very loving and supportive wife that allows me to pursue my passion, getting sick people well. I am thankful for my two wonderful daughters, Mia and Ava that make me smile every day. I am thankful for the opportunity to deliver quality healthcare to my patients and to work with such a wonderful

group of caring professionals. I am thankful to have a great patient population. I am thankful that my parents instilled the passion and values of hard work, education, discipline and never giving up.



Website: Dr. Scott Schreiber

Allen Kamrava, MD MBA FAC

Good health. Whenever I am faced with patients my age or younger with debilitating illnesses, I take a moment’s pause and remind myself how thankful I am for my family and mine’s health.

Most of all I am thankful for my wonderful family. I have a very loving and supportive wife that allows me to pursue my passion, getting sick people well. I am thankful for my two wonderful daughters, Mia and Ava that make me smile every day. I am thankful for the opportunity to deliver quality healthcare to my patients and to work with such a wonderful group of caring professionals.



Website: Dr. Kamrava

Nesochi Okeke Igbokwe, M.D.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to practice hospital medicine in NYC. As much as I love what I do, it is inevitable that the life of a practicing physician can be quite stressful. Over the years, I have become thankful for what I call my “doctor-days-off”. Work/life balance is so critical to avoid physician burnout. Therefore, every year I treat myself to a fabulous getaway. This year I spent my time off in Paris and Nigeria. I enjoyed relaxing spa days, exquisite cuisine, and quality time with friends and family.

Twitter: @drnesochi

Kamal Patel, MD

Of course, I am thankful for my family and health, but I am also thankful for the changes in healthcare. It is the most exciting time in healthcare with paradigm shifts and challenges to static ideas occurring in all fields, and the beginning of synergy between medicine, technology and the internet. I feel like breakthroughs in medicine and technology are happening at lightning speed, and having a positive effect on how we as physicians are able to care for our patients. As a physician, what more could I ask for?

Website: Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA)

Twitter: @CancerCenter

The holiday season brings us time to reflect and spend time with those most important to us – what are you thankful for?

