Push and Breathe: Dr. Louissa K's Holistic Approach to Healing

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball. If you believe, you can achieve. Welcome to the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast. A show where I interview guests that teach, motivate, and inspire. Today's guest is someone who has spent more than two decades helping women during the most challenging times of their life as an obstetrician, gynecologist, and maternal fetal medicine specialist. But her story extends far beyond medicine. Thirty-six years ago, Dr. Louisa Kay came to the United States as a Romanian refugee, and she entered adversity into purpose and made healing her lifelong mission through the platform, her telemedicine practice, and her memoir, Push and Brie. She is helping people heal, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. So, Dr. Louisa Kay, welcome to the show.

SPEAKER_00 1:21

Thank you, Curtis. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with your audience and to have me in your podcast.

SPEAKER_01 1:28

Why don't you start off by telling everybody a little bit about yourself?

SPEAKER_00 1:32

Okay, well, um, as you said, as you mentioned in the introduction, um, I um was born and raised in communist Romania. Um, I came to the United States um about 37, almost 38 years ago, um on a two-month visit. Um, and um that become became the journey of a lifetime. Um I am a high-risk pregnancy physician specialist. Uh, I'm an Air Force veteran. Um, I am the founder and the CEO of uh Telemed MFM, which is a nationwide telemedicine practice. Um, then Dr. Luisa Kay, the author and the um women empowerment program, but then also Dr. Luisa Kay Foundation, uh, my nonprofit. Um through my telemedicine practice, telemed MFM, I provide high-risk pregnancy care beyond borders uh or geographical barriers. Um in um regards with Dr. Luisa Kay Foundation, it was born as a calling to empower women everywhere. Um, my own triumph over trauma story and journey inspired this movement. So um all women and really all humans uh to find their self-empowerment um presence and resilience and to not only survive through our lives but thrive.

SPEAKER_01 3:17

Well, you you arrived in the United States as a refugee just before your 19th birthday. So when was the moment that you knew that your past was gonna become your greatest source of strength rather than an obstacle?

SPEAKER_00 3:31

I think um, Curtis, it happened gradually. Um but becoming a physician really crystallized it. Um I uh I realized that the very experiences that I once wished had never happened. Fear, uncertainty, displacement from my native country, from all the people that I loved and cared for allowed me to connect with patients in a way that textbooks never could. So my past didn't disqualify me in a way, it prepared me. And it just this transformation that the scars that I was bearing became credentials for my compassion.

SPEAKER_01 4:26

Well, you you often call yourself not just a physician, but a healer of souls. Talk about what the difference is and why you felt like modern medicine overlooks the emotional and spiritual healing.

SPEAKER_00 4:40

I like that question. Um, medicine treats disease, healing treats the whole person. So I am an osteopathic physician at the core at the base. I'm a DO. And it's funny because I'm also a high-risk pregnancy physician. So here it is, very highly clinical, but then also look at the whole person. It's a holistic type of medicine. Um, you know, I can repair a medical problem. Okay, any doctor could repair a medical problem, but healing happens when people, patients, humans feel seen, heard, respected, and hope is given to them. Modern medicine, especially in the United States, has become extraordinarily enhanced technologically. But I believe that we are quite behind when it comes to healing, because healing still begins with human connection. Um, you know, a lot of the times a patient remembers most is in the procedure, but it was that someone truly, truly cared. Um, and the other day, actually, uh one of my staff asked me, says, you know, so what's the difference between a good doctor and a clinician? And I I responded, I said, you know, a good doctor relies a lot on medical knowledge, technical skills to diagnose and treat disease. I'm sure that at least some of you, or even you, Curtis, met with someone, met with a physician, that all they do is kind of spit out data, um, studies, percentages. And did you get out of there? It's like, okay, what did I get out of this, right? Uh, did I I just my mind is spinning and I don't know if I got anything out of it except for and now I know a whole bunch of numbers. But an excellent clinician crosses the baseline metrics, and it he or she applies the diagnostic intuition, you know, that hunch that something is there that it's telling me something else that that textbook, cookbook is it's really, you know, showing. It considers the physiological context of the patient, and really it it just it is a as a clinician that hell uh seemingly navigates complex, mind-boggling cases because it's a lot of deep deep empathy and connection with the patient is is uh at the base.

SPEAKER_01 7:21

Well, let's talk about your book, uh Push Then Breathe Beyond Childbirth. Talk about uh what inspired you to write it, what readers expect can expect when they read it, and uh what does that phrase mean for people who are facing life's toughest challenges?

SPEAKER_00 7:39

Well, um push then breathe, um you know, it started about 30 um about two months, let's say, not 38 years ago, but truly, yeah, about two months after I came to America. I started handwriting the first chapter. Um, and after a few pages into it, um, I really didn't feel that I didn't feel the drive to continue it at that time. So I uh tacked it away uh for quite a few years until about 2018. Um, when I something started really getting back to me, just like a whisper, you know, what about the book? What about your story? Um in the beginning, first I, you know, it was the shame, the vulnerability, the opening up. It is an extremely hard thing for a human to do is to open up. Um, I usually give an example. You know, when we wake up in the morning, right, if we have an ailment or an ache, we say, Well, I have a headache, I have a backache, whatever. Well, when was the last time you asked, you you told your significant other, well, I have a heartache? So um, you know, it's that vulnerability that you allow yourself to to open up because people appreciate and take the lessons that you have been through if you are willing to share them. Um, regarding the name, life comes in seasons, uh pushing and season of breathing. There are moments that demand courage, uh discipline, and perseverance. But then there are moments of reflection, gratitude, and recovery. Um, and a lot of people, too many people, know how to push, but they never allow themselves to breathe. It took me a while to become aware of that because all I did until I became a physician, throughout my seven years of captivity and another eight years to become a to graduate from medical school, um, I did not allow myself to breathe. But again, both are necessary for a meaning of life. Otherwise, what's good is to get to the top of the mountain and be alone.

SPEAKER_01 10:14

Well, what gave you the courage to share your story? And was there any moments in sharing your story that seemed more frightening than anything you could have ever experienced in medicine?

SPEAKER_00 10:26

Absolutely. Um, opening my heart to the world, uh to strangers, was far more intimidating than performing complicated surgery. Um medicine, you know, taught me how to manage the risks, but writing taught me how to embrace vulnerability. For the longest time, like I said, for how many years I was um I was afraid. I was afraid to be vulnerable, I was afraid to share out of shame, uh, out of guilt, out of like what do people think of me? I did publish because I realized that my story will is meaningful for others and therefore no longer belongs only to me. Because in my mind, I'm a firm believer that if I if I could, through my story, help one person in a million, believe that their past doesn't define their future, then it was worth sharing my story and my journey.

SPEAKER_01 11:34

Well, which one do you believe people struggle with the most and why? Fear, forgiveness, gratitude, faith, or transformation.

SPEAKER_00 11:46

Well, I really believe it's uh forgiveness. Now just think a minute. Not because people don't want to forgive others, but because they struggle to forgive themselves. Um, you know, we we just like kind of a gluttony for punishment, right? We reply, we replay mistakes, carry shame, believe that we are somehow disqualified to you know to share with the world, to allow the you know our true, true face and true soul to show through. Um you know, when I started uh giving um um talks, podcasts, webinars at the beginning, I was very, very petrified. And not because what I was about to reveal, but the question in my mind was, who am I? Who am I to share my story? I mean, am I kind of an expert? Am I, you know, well, what are the people gonna think? You see what I mean? So when I realized that that is really not the case, like someone said, Well, you know, if someone doesn't like what you have to say, they're just gonna put you on mute. And that was one of the best answers. And uh kind of gave me that, yeah, you know what, you're right. Uh, real freedom does begin when we stop allowing our past to really have a veto power of our future.

SPEAKER_01 13:28

Well, I know your medical practice uh closed down in uh 2022, but instead of seeing it as a setback, you saw it as an opportunity. So how can we train ourselves to recognize uh hidden opportunities and life as biggest disappointments?

SPEAKER_00 13:45

Uh when my um again that that uh wasn't my own practice that was owned by a private entity, uh large, very large um um IPO. Okay. So because of right after COVID, um, because of their financial struggle, they started closing practices. I did feel, and to the day, I will assert that felt like my own medical practice. So it stunned me. And um, you know, it really for about eight weeks, Curtis, I did I did not want to practice anymore. I was like, you know what, not worth it. What's worth it here? I mean, I've done put my heart and soul for the last five years into this practice. I carried this successfully through the COVID. I was the first medical director, corporate director that put together a telemedicine platform within that practice, and now that practice is closed down, and all these people, because we'd cater to a lot of uh you know low-income Medicaid, like huge amount of patients in that particular bracket. Uh, and I said, Whether the people are gonna go? What is anybody going to help them with? And um, I did not want to go back to medicine for about two months. Um, and um then I realized that that is really kind of silly. First of all, I think physicians are like priests. They once they have become physicians, they're like ordained, they kind of die, just like priests still taking care of patients, you know, just like you know, uh priests take care of souls. Um but um I've that moment when I said, you know, instead of thinking, why did this happen to me, why am I not saying, what is this preparing me for? And that single thought changes everything. And, you know, a lot of people are like, well, how can you just take such a blunt and then still keep going? Well, I took a pause, and it's okay to take a pause, it's okay to go in a corner and kind of, as I say, lick your wounds for you know, until you have some strength, until you start thinking it through. But then you rise. You can't just be beat up by life because life always throws curveball at us. So closing my practice wasn't the end of my career. So it became the beginning of building my telemedicine practice, and now I reach women beyond geographical borders and barriers who otherwise wouldn't have access to specialized care.

SPEAKER_01 18:04

Well, speaking of that, how do you see technology transforming health care but still um managing to be able to preserve the human connection?

SPEAKER_00 18:17

Um, you know, technology will and should never replace compassion. That's why I have my doubts about AI. You know, we should use it as a tool to amplify and help and use their help. Telemedicine, for instance, removes barriers like distance, travel, and limited specialist access. But remember, humans, patients still need empathy, eye contact, listening, trust. So even though the technology delivers visit, whether that is through telehealth or through AI, the physician cannot be replaced because they deliver the healing relationship. You're never gonna hear someone that say, oh my god, this robot really made me, you know, warm and fuzzy when he gave me this diagnosis. That will never happen. I mean, it's just impossible. So it's uh I think we have to be careful how much we open Pandora's box um before before we regret it, and uh, you know, give give physicians the you know the seat at the table that they deserve.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

Well, I know that you have spent uh your life helping people in their most vulnerable moments, but who has helped heal you heal who or what has helped heal you when you've needed strength the most?

SPEAKER_00 19:53

Um two two two people, let's call them. Uh one is my faith, one is God. Always have been my foundation, in even in the darkest of moments. Um then my mother. My mother has been my cornerstone since you know since I was born. And even here, so far away from her for seven years, um, we still kept very close contact weekly, uh, even if it's for a couple of minutes on the phone. So she was um she was my strength. Uh, she and God. Without them, I would have never made it through. Beyond that, uh, of course, my family, uh, my mentors, and truly my patients, Curtis. Uh, because the patients I've cared for have taught me remarkable lessons about courage. Um, and uh I say ironically, many of my patients have strengthened me just as much as I hope to strengthen them.

SPEAKER_01 20:59

Well, tell us about any other upcoming projects that you're working on that listeners need to be aware of.

SPEAKER_00 21:06

Um, well, um, I um I have um a few, I'm this is my 75th, believe it or not, um podcast uh and webinars of like public appearance um in the last two and a half years. Um I've been very active. Uh I go to book signing events. I have a book signing event in uh Albany, uh New York, uh coming up in August. Um I have another um keynote speech um in uh November in Austin, Texas. Um so I give uh podcasts again, webinars. I mentor um authors, hopeful out authors, but I also mentor medical students and residents. Um so I keep very busy besides my practice that I work full-time in it. Um, and um I really enjoy life, but I do take time for myself. So that is one thing I want to uh tell your audience. Do remember to take care of yourself. Do remember to pick something that pick something, a hobby, something that really makes you smile and your eyes sparkle when you think of it. Uh, because that really helps fill your cup, your daily cup, and use it, use it very, very often, use it daily. Uh, I personally um I'm a triathlete, so that is my my cup. Uh so I train, I get up early in the morning, I work out, I do a lot of cardio, and that really is my mental health balance. Um, but it doesn't have to be that for you. It can be painting, journaling, writing, gardening, you know. I mean, there's so many other things that music that you can do uh to fill your cup. Without that, you'll burn out. People burn out. I could burn out.

SPEAKER_01 23:08

Well, so people can keep up with everything that you're up to, throw out your contact info.

SPEAKER_00 23:14

Yes, that would be great. Uh, I am very um open, you know, to communicate. The network, uh, just drop me an email. I have my two websites, my practice, which is telemed, t-e-l-e-m-ed-d-m-fm.com. The other one is drluisa k dot com. That is my platform um uh for authorship and women empowerment. Um, I'm also on Linktree, uh, which is like a headquarter hub that has all my uh links and it's um drluisa k link tree at drluisa k. Um regarding, I'm on LinkedIn on uh Instagram and Facebook. I'm very privy to LinkedIn uh because of my you know business uh networking book wise. Uh so my book um is um push them breathe, trauma, triumph, and the making of an American doctor. Um, you can get it on Kindle. Uh you can also get it on Apple uh audiobook and Spotify audiobook. Um if you want to buy the hard copy that is going to be signed and bookmarked. Um you can go to my website uh again, drluisa k.com, and order that is going to be uh delivered to you, uh signed by the author. Um, and um I I take very big pride on doing that. I really enjoy doing that for my uh for my readers.

SPEAKER_01 24:54

Or close us out with some final thoughts, maybe if that was something I forgot to talk about that you would like to touch on, or any final thoughts you have for the listeners.

SPEAKER_00 25:03

Um what I want to say to you to the listeners, your story is beautiful and unique. Your story is not over just because you are experiencing a setback. Um and remember that your past explains you, but it does not define you. So when you go out there and take on the world, remember that you are not destined to survive only, but you are to thrive. So just remember, remember keep pushing, remember to breathe, and uh overcome all that's the way you overcome and influence the world because truly is your world.

SPEAKER_01 25:50

All right, ladies and gentlemen, drloisa K.com is the website to go to. I have the website and her information in the show notes. Please be sure to pick up that book, follow rate review, share this episode to as many people as possible. And when Dr. K comes to a city near you to speak, please be sure that you are there and that you have a seat. Also, to keep up with all things living the dream, please visit www.curveball337.com. Thank you for listening and supporting the show. And Dr. K, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_00 26:28

Thank you, and happy independence day.

SPEAKER_01 26:31

For more information on the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast, visit www.curveball337.com. Until next time, keep living the dream.