Melinda Thacker, MD

Melinda Thacker, MD Surgeon, Coach, Speaker, Writer

03/16/2026

While my intentions were in the right place, I made my own error by citing a crappy study in that claims medical errors are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer.

Just want to make it known: medical mistakes are NOT the third leading cause of death. Doctors already have a PR problem as it is. Touting misinformation like this only makes it worse. For that, I apologize.

Comment “podcast” and I’ll send you a link 🔗 to listen.🎧 Surgeons with Purpose episode 89: The Game Doctors Were Never T...
03/16/2026

Comment “podcast” and I’ll send you a link 🔗 to listen.

🎧 Surgeons with Purpose episode 89: The Game Doctors Were Never Taught with Dr. Gita Pensa.

Also be sure to follow ➡️



03/16/2026

Surgeons with Purpose episode 89 The Game Doctors Were Never Taught with Dr. Gita Pensa is available now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

03/14/2026

Pretending, fawning, and people-pleasing are all forms of the same trauma response encouraged and rewarded by surgery culture.

Problem is, chronic pretending leads to burnout and suffering.

The solution isn’t to act like an a-hole. It’s about learning how to manifest your will to say what you mean from a place of compassion…and then decide to have no thoughts about how your words are received.

Learning to do this takes practice. I’m still unlearning old habits and relearning how to stop fawning and how to speak my truth in a relationally competent way.

*and I’ve made many mistakes along the way*

03/14/2026

This is dualism: showing up with the intention to create perfect results while knowing we can’t possibly create perfect results for every patient.

Yet how do we operate in a system that expects us to be perfect every time? And what is happening inside that system anyway?

Thought leader, speaker, educator, coach, advocate, and the ER physician behind the revolutionary podcast, Doctors and Litigation, Dr. Gita Pensa will help us answer these questions on Monday’s episode of Surgeons with Purpose. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

03/13/2026

Instagram, you don’t need this reminder. But it’s worth saying.

Yes, I’m wearing a 🍌hat

We didn’t get to a place where third parties determine our worth, people who have no idea what we really do tell us how ...
03/12/2026

We didn’t get to a place where third parties determine our worth, people who have no idea what we really do tell us how to do our jobs, and we’re expected to work for free by breaking cultural contracts.

Maybe it’s time we start. What are your thoughts?

Makes you wonder why surgery culture worships max human capacity 🤷🏻‍♀️Comment “safety” to register for the masterclass “...
03/11/2026

Makes you wonder why surgery culture worships max human capacity 🤷🏻‍♀️

Comment “safety” to register for the masterclass “Psychological Safety in the OR” March 25th 5 pm EST. This is the best and most impactful webinar I have ever created. See you inside.

03/11/2026

What do you think? Fire him from medical school, or find out more about why he would do such a thing?

While getting curious is a slower way to address these things, it allows us to correct bad behavior while not throwing all of the babies out with the bathwater. That said, there is a line of professionalism that should never be crossed by anyone who takes the Hippocratic Oath, and making fun of patients (especially in this way) is one of them. I don’t know what the right answer is. Interested to hear your thoughts.

03/10/2026

Comment “safety” to register for “Psychological Safety in the OR” March 25th 5 pm EST. There is one mindset shift that is a game changer in creating psychological safety everywhere you show up.

Say it louder for the surgeons blaring yacht rock in the ORI’m giving a free masterclass on psychological safety in the ...
03/10/2026

Say it louder for the surgeons blaring yacht rock in the OR

I’m giving a free masterclass on psychological safety in the OR. Comment “safety” to register.

What’s not essential in the OR? Yacht rock 🫠Comment “safety” to register for “Psychological Safety in the OR” | March 25...
03/09/2026

What’s not essential in the OR? Yacht rock 🫠

Comment “safety” to register for “Psychological Safety in the OR” | March 25th | 5 pm EST

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Shifting paradigms, educating and motivating people, seeking truths

I am a truth seeking physician who passionately endeavors to educate my fellow humans on the science supporting consumption of nutrient dense, fiber rich, whole plant foods to promote optimum health and wellness. Inherent in this mission are components of paradigm shattering and myth busting. This does not include selling diet plans, books, supplements, or service for profit. Pure data-driven, evidence-based information sharing. Feel free to follow and geek out over the nutritional science with me.

****Please do not contact me asking for medical advice or personal health questions. For ethical and legal reasons, I cannot provide any form of personal medical advice via social media. If you would like an appointment with me, contact my office at 508-757-0330 or click the “learn more” button. Information shared on this page is not meant to be a substitute for the recommendations of your doctor.***