Stirrings of the Heart & Soul
Newsletter of the Heart and Soul of Healthcare, Sacramento
January 2026
Newsletter of the Heart and Soul of Healthcare, Sacramento
January 2026
Some people make resolutions at the turn of the year, looking for an opportunity to take a fresh look at things, maybe make a change or do something needful or fun.
And yet tomorrow is another day much like today, and the fundamentals about ourselves are likely to feel stubbornly in place. It may be that the best posture for approaching both our predictable tomorrow and the possibility of change is first to start right where we are.
So, as winter settles in and the year turns, we pause to honor the quiet pulse of our shared work—the tending, the mending, the steadfast care that binds us together. In this season of light, may we find moments of stillness to breathe, to heal, and to remember why we began this work: to bring comfort, to restore hope, to be part of something larger than ourselves. Each of you carries that light forward, illuminating paths of healing within our communities. May this season bring warmth, renewal, and the gentle knowing that we walk this road together. LG/MGM
The next few HSH gatherings will be at a variety of venues that can accommodate 20-40 people. The first of these is set for Sunday, February 22nd, 1:30-4:30 PM. The topic will be: Sacred Moments
Details and registration information can be found on our website's Offerings page.
On October 5, 2025, 30 of us gathered at a home in Fair Oaks to meet like-minded healthcare professionals of all sorts, and to begin an exploration together of what it means to bring our full, human selves to our work as healthcare professionals. We sat at tables together and talked, and assembled as a larger group at the end to share some of our collected thoughts, insights and hopes for the future. Two prominent themes emerged: we value being with our colleagues face-to-face, and there’s so much to explore in old-fashioned conversation. So, what’s next? See “Save the Date” above. MGM
Winter is Hard
I’ve been prompted by several events in the past few weeks to ponder the reality that Winter typically brings hardship and grief amidst the celebrations and pieties. Two friends died expectedly; a patient I consulted on died what his oncologist called "a bad death", in terrible pain at a young age; I came down with pneumonia (again) over New Year’s Eve and was unable to visit with beloved friends who had travelled to my home for the holiday. It's likely that you've experienced similar hardships as well.
While in the ED I had another opportunity to witness healthcare under the pressures of Winter from both perspectives—as physician and as a patient. As this space is small, I’ll share just a few observations.
Everyone is bringing focus and intention to their work, day after day.
Everyone is trying to be polite and kind to everyone else.
Our hospitals are packed with tech and human-power working in tandem for maximal efficiency. Everything moves faster than ever before.
We are thankful for you and the part you play in all of this. Please nourish your heart and soul so you can enjoy your contribution. You will be all the more powerful for it. MGM
Heart & Soul of Healthcare Sacramento. www.SacramentoHSH.org. 100% Algorithm-Free.