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Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare

Keith Rafal, MD, MPH – Our Heart Speaks

April 03, 2023 Marcus Engel Season 1 Episode 96
Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Keith Rafal, MD, MPH – Our Heart Speaks
Info
Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Keith Rafal, MD, MPH – Our Heart Speaks
Apr 03, 2023 Season 1 Episode 96
Marcus Engel

In this episode of Compassion & Courage, Marcus interviews Our Heart Speaks founder, Keith Rafal, MD. The two talk about extending compassion and building a community that can be mindful. Come join two experts in the field of compassion and listen to their own story of growth and how they are applying it patients and families. 

Key topics:

  • 00:00 – Introductions
  • 00:40 – Marcus Shares a quick story about his past with Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Specialist and Dr. Rafal talks about the history of the practice. 
  • 02:41 – Keith talks about his career path and personal history.
  • 05:41 – Marcus asks Keith if there was an “it” moment, where he knew was in the right field.
  • 09:06 – The two talk about trauma patients and patients that have experienced change. 
  • 12:20 – Keith shares a story about mindfulness and witnessing compassion that he experienced.
  • 18:00 – Marcus brings up Keith’s Non-Profit, Our Heart Speaks and Keith breaks down what the organization is trying to accomplish.
  • 25:30 – Marcus follows up and asks about how patient’s families are a part of the compassion and care journey. 
  • 28:39 – Marcus asks his rapid-fire questions. Keith wants to leave people with, “We are one.” 
  • 33:10 – Thank you and conclusions!

Resources for you: 

More About Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH

Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH is the former Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island and former Chief of Rehabilitation and Restorative Care at Memorial Hospital of RI. He is the founder and director of Healing Choices, P.C. an integrative medicine private practice and on clinical faculty at Brown University and Tufts.
He has been passionate throughout his career on the importance of how the Mind, Body and Spirit shape our health and wellbeing and the special role that the arts and humanities offer. He is the founder of the nonprofit Our Heart Speaks, Inc, which supports the patient stories project, where the power of the human spirit is revealed. In collaboration with others, he is working to empower patients and their providers to rethink what is possible when faced with an acquired disability and in need of medical care and rehabilitation. We need not be defined by a medical diagnosis or disability.

Date: 4/3/2023
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Episode title and number: Episode 96 – Keith Rafal, MD, MPH - Our Heart Speaks

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Show Notes

In this episode of Compassion & Courage, Marcus interviews Our Heart Speaks founder, Keith Rafal, MD. The two talk about extending compassion and building a community that can be mindful. Come join two experts in the field of compassion and listen to their own story of growth and how they are applying it patients and families. 

Key topics:

  • 00:00 – Introductions
  • 00:40 – Marcus Shares a quick story about his past with Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Specialist and Dr. Rafal talks about the history of the practice. 
  • 02:41 – Keith talks about his career path and personal history.
  • 05:41 – Marcus asks Keith if there was an “it” moment, where he knew was in the right field.
  • 09:06 – The two talk about trauma patients and patients that have experienced change. 
  • 12:20 – Keith shares a story about mindfulness and witnessing compassion that he experienced.
  • 18:00 – Marcus brings up Keith’s Non-Profit, Our Heart Speaks and Keith breaks down what the organization is trying to accomplish.
  • 25:30 – Marcus follows up and asks about how patient’s families are a part of the compassion and care journey. 
  • 28:39 – Marcus asks his rapid-fire questions. Keith wants to leave people with, “We are one.” 
  • 33:10 – Thank you and conclusions!

Resources for you: 

More About Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH

Keith W. L. Rafal, MD, MPH is the former Medical Director of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island and former Chief of Rehabilitation and Restorative Care at Memorial Hospital of RI. He is the founder and director of Healing Choices, P.C. an integrative medicine private practice and on clinical faculty at Brown University and Tufts.
He has been passionate throughout his career on the importance of how the Mind, Body and Spirit shape our health and wellbeing and the special role that the arts and humanities offer. He is the founder of the nonprofit Our Heart Speaks, Inc, which supports the patient stories project, where the power of the human spirit is revealed. In collaboration with others, he is working to empower patients and their providers to rethink what is possible when faced with an acquired disability and in need of medical care and rehabilitation. We need not be defined by a medical diagnosis or disability.

Date: 4/3/2023
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Episode title and number: Episode 96 – Keith Rafal, MD, MPH - Our Heart Speaks