What happens when you’re a military surgeon, a new mom, and a woman navigating two male-dominated worlds — all at once?

This week, I sat down with Dr. Amy Vertrees — a trauma surgeon, Army veteran, and mom of two — who knows what it’s like to deliver babies, build a career, and serve her country… all while navigating early motherhood.

We talk about:

• What changed her mind about having children after a decade of marriage
• The real story behind being pregnant during surgical residency
• Leaving an 8-month-old behind for deployment — and what helped her cope
• How she moved from perfectionism to presence in her parenting
• Her message for every Physician mom who’s ever felt guilty for working or leaving
  
  
  

If you’ve ever felt torn between your calling and your children — this one will stay with you.

You don’t have to be in the room to still be raising them.

You don’t have to be everything, all the time, to be enough.

And you’re allowed to show up in motherhood your way — even if it looks nothing like the script you were handed.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

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If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

✨ Stethoscopes and Strollers just turned ONE. ✨

One year. Over 60 episodes. Incredible guests. 18 five-star reviews. A global top 5% ranking — and a deeply aligned space that continues to grow week after week.

This week’s episode is a little different. It’s a celebration. A reflection. A reminder of what’s possible when you follow that small voice that says, I think I’m supposed to do this.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

🎙️ How the podcast went from idea to launch in just six weeks
🎙️ Why having an HQ for your voice matters (especially beyond social media)
🎙️ What this platform means to me — and what I want it to mean to you
🎙️ Why your reviews, shares, and messages really matter (and yes, I’m asking you to leave one!)

And maybe most importantly — I want this episode to light something in you.
Not to start a podcast (unless that’s your thing) — but to start whatever’s calling you. To take the idea that’s been sitting inside you, and act on it.

Because this podcast didn’t just happen.
It happened because I decided it would.
And it’s now reaching Physician moms across the world because you continue to listen, rate, and share.

Let’s celebrate what we’ve built together.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

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Connect with me.

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Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc —

Mother’s Day is coming up. And whether you're excited, dreading it, or just… indifferent, I want you to hear this clearly:

You deserve what you want for Mother’s Day.

If you want brunch and balloons — I hope you get them.
If you want a quiet day to yourself with no one touching you, asking you for anything, or expecting you to perform joy — I hope you get that too.

Let this episode be your reminder that:

✔ You don’t need to celebrate Mother’s Day the way others think you should
✔ Wanting solitude doesn’t make you a bad mom
✔ It’s okay to feel conflicting things — joy, guilt, relief, longing — all at once
✔ You deserve a day that feels like yours — even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else

Happy early Mother’s Day, Doc. However you choose to spend it, I hope it feels like yours.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

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Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc —

So… are you a Meghan or a Mindy?

This episode was inspired by With Love, Meghan on Netflix — and one very honest moment between Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and her guest, Mindy Kaling.

Meghan? Fully in her element: cooking, entertaining, feeding people with joy.
Mindy? Fully supportive — and also like, “Yeah, I pay someone for that.”

Both women were showing up with clarity. And that got me thinking:
Why do so many Physician moms feel like they have to pick a side — and then explain it to everyone?

Here’s what I’m unpacking in this episode:

🔸 Why your joy doesn’t have to look like someone else’s
🔸 The difference between inspiration and pressure
🔸 How burnout can dim even the things we usually love
🔸 And why standing firm in your identity — whether in motherhood or medicine — matters more than ever

This isn’t an episode about choosing between the soft life and outsourcing.
It’s a reminder that you get to decide what kind of life feels good to you — and you don’t have to apologize for it.

🎧 Tune in now, and send this to the Physician mom in your life who needs permission to stop performing and start owning who she is.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc —

When was the last time someone gave you permission to just want what you want? To go after comfort, joy, ease, or pleasure — without guilt, without justification?

This episode of ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ is that permission slip.

I’m sharing the moments in my life where a friend, a coach, or even a passing comment gave me the clarity and courage to make a decision that changed everything.

Here’s what I want you to hear:

You don’t need to wait.
You don’t have to justify your joy.
You deserve a life that feels good.

In this episode, I’m unpacking:

🔸 Why joy, comfort, and pleasure are not frivolous — they’re essential
🔸 How others gave me permission I didn’t even know I needed
🔸 Why you deserve to make bold decisions simply because they feel good
🔸 The power of modeling desire and ease to your children and yourself

This is your sign, your nudge, your full-body yes.

Buy the ticket. Lease the car. Prioritize pleasure. And feel zero guilt.
Because you deserve it.

🎧 Listen now and send this to another Physician mom who needs this gift, too.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc —

Let me ask you something: Who raised you?

For me, it was Selwyn and Lucille Luces — two hardworking people from Trinidad and Tobago who gave me and my sisters a childhood full of love, structure, and support. They had help. They worked full-time. And still, they absolutely raised us.

This week on ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨, I’m unpacking the guilt we’ve been taught to carry as working moms — especially as Physician moms — when we seek the support we need.

I share:
🔸 Why this narrative is especially harmful for Physician moms
🔸 How my upbringing shaped my confidence as a working mother
🔸 What raising kids actually means (hint: it’s not about hours)
🔸 Why intentional time matters more than total time
🔸 How to reframe guilt around help — and embrace your village

Whether you have an au pair, daycare, school, or family support, YOU are still raising your kids. And this episode is your permission slip to get the help you need without the shame.

🎧 Listen now — and send this one to the Physician mom friend who needs it most.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey doc! In this episode of ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨, I’m challenging the popular narrative of Physician moms as “household CEOs.” Because let’s be honest—most of us are actually functioning like overworked managers, not empowered leaders. And today, we’re going to break that all the way down.

I dive into:

• Why most Physician moms are functioning as managers, not CEOs
• What real CEOs like Jeff Bezos actually do with their time (hint: it’s not cooking meals or doing pickups)
• The critical difference between true delegation and “wishful thinking” delegation
• How operating like a true CEO creates space for what actually matters

Key takeaways:

• CEOs delegate effectively and operate at the top of their license
• True delegation includes training, feedback, and letting go
• When you’re doing other people’s jobs, burnout follows
• The highest use of your time is connecting with your family and excelling in your career—not managing details

This is a must-listen for any Physician mom who’s juggling clinical responsibilities, parenting, partnerships, and everything in between. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a life that reflects your worth, this conversation is your permission slip.

It’s time for a promotion, doc. Let’s transform you from an overworked manager to the visionary CEO of your life.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey doc! For Doctor's Day, I'm giving you something actually useful - a guide to making AI work for you as a Physician mom.

In this episode of ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨, I break down why AI is the greatest gift since the internet itself, and why you shouldn't be afraid to use it.

I share:

• Why staying on technology's cutting edge is crucial for our profession
• Practical AI applications beyond medical documentation that save precious time
• My proven three-step method to get exceptional results from AI Tools.
• How to transform AI from a frustrating tool to your personal assistant

Key takeaways:

1. Setting proper context is essential for quality AI output
2. Detailed queries produce better results than vague questions
3. Continuous feedback refines AI responses to exactly what you need
4. Physician moms deserve technological shortcuts after years of doing things the hard way

You've already proven you can do hard things by becoming a Physician and a mother. Now it's time to make your life easier with tools that save you time and mental energy.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Remember to subscribe to "Stethoscopes and Strollers" on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode of encouragement and empowerment.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you feel you need direct support or someone to talk through the unique challenges of being a physician mom, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya