Our Interview With Dr. Stefanie Simmons, FACEP

Dr. Stefanie Simmons, FACEP, is the Chief Medical Officer for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation.

From your perspective, what are the most common mental health challenges pre-med and medical students face today?

Pre-med and medical students are human beings, so they face the same mental health challenges as the rest of the population. Depression and anxiety are the most common, as well as substance use disorder and suicidal ideation. These are prevalent in the general population, and therefore also among pre-med and medical students.

There’s an additional set of stressors due to the competitiveness of college and medical school environments, which can increase the risk of developing primary anxiety and depression. These stressors can also lead to poor sleep, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits, all of which can exacerbate existing conditions.

What early signs of burnout or chronic stress should students be mindful of?

For pre-med and medical students, this is a stage in life when people should be learning broadly, not just narrowly. It can be very tempting to focus so intently on pre-med or medical school requirements that you narrow your interests and interactions.

If you find that you're unable to engage with other areas of life because you're consumed by academic requirements, that's a key sign you may be over-focused. That could be a signal that your time management skills need attention so that you can make space for activities you enjoy.

One early sign of burnout is the feeling that you don’t have time for family, friends, or hobbies.

How can aspiring medical students begin to build healthy coping mechanisms before entering medical school?

In some ways, the competitiveness of the pre-med curriculum is a great time to begin building those coping skills. People on the pre-med track are often masters of deferred gratification—putting off enjoyment with thoughts like, “I’ll do this when I’m done.” That skill is valuable, like staying in on a Saturday night to study.

But it’s not a sustainable long-term coping mechanism. It can lead to disenchantment because you realize you never “arrive.” There’s always another thing to defer for.

So, it’s important to build space for life from the beginning—spending time with friends, dating, thinking about family if that’s part of your future plans—not endlessly deferring these things. There is no perfect “later.” There’s just time, and you have to decide to make it the right time.

Having a thinking partner—whether a therapist, coach, or trusted family member—can help you prioritize and check your assumptions. That support will look different for different people, but establishing those relationships is key.

There’s also a significant drinking culture in undergraduate and medical school environments, so it's important to avoid using alcohol or drugs as coping mechanisms. They often lead to more stress and negative outcomes. I'm not saying never have a drink at a party, but using substances as coping tools is a very poor choice.

Building in sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition is crucial. I know this sounds like advice from a parent—and I am a mom—but the truth is you have physical limits. In your late teens and twenties, those limits are high, so you might not realize when you're nearing them. But if you maintain good nutrition, sleep, and exercise, you’ll have more capacity not just for work but also for fun and exploration.

What role should medical schools play in supporting student mental health? And where do gaps currently exist?

There’s a culture in medicine, and medical school is your introduction to that culture. Schools can help by integrating self-care into the concept of professionalism.

Right now, there are gaps. It’s a nuanced issue—because yes, there are times you put your patient’s needs ahead of your own. I’m an emergency medicine physician. If I’m in the middle of a 10-hour shift and a code comes in, and I need to use the bathroom, I’ll hold it.

That’s a concrete example. You don’t say, “Do chest compressions; I’ll be out in a minute.” You respond immediately. Sometimes that’s two or three hours without a break.

We need systems-level conversations about ensuring healthcare professionals can take care of their needs too. Professionalism sometimes means discomfort and self-sacrifice, but it should be balanced with self-care.

Taking care of yourself isn’t just good for you—it’s good for your patients. I'd love to see schools having more nuanced conversations about that.

Also, medical schools rarely teach students about the business side of medicine. You can finish residency without understanding the basics of medical practice out in the world. I’d love to see schools include information on the finances of healthcare work. That would better prepare students for real-world practice.

What advice do you have for students hesitant to seek help due to stigma or fear of professional consequences?

Much of the stigma comes from a lack of transparency. Students want to make rational decisions, but they don’t have enough information to do so.

There are three ways we can change this:

1. Normalization: If everyone seeks help, then “yes” becomes the standard answer to questions like, “Have you ever had a mental health diagnosis or treatment?” We’re closer than ever to this, especially with incoming medical students. Many already have therapists or experience with mental health care as part of their preventive routines.
2. Structural Change: We’re working to remove questions about mental health from licensing and credentialing applications. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation has partnered with the Federation of State Medical Boards and hospitals on this. So far, 37 state medical boards no longer ask about mental health. About 10% of hospitals are certified to not ask, and that number is growing.
3. Transparency and Support: When people say, “Yes, I’ve had anxiety and I’m on medication, but I’m not impaired,” the response should simply be: “Thank you. Here are the resources available to you.” If someone is impaired, physician health programs exist to ensure they can return safely to practice.

Preventive care—just like for physical health—is the best way to avoid impairment. We encourage early diagnosis and treatment.

Are there specific tools, habits, or daily practices you recommend for students balancing heavy academics with personal well-being?

The importance of sleep is often underestimated. It’s probably the single best thing you can do for your mental and brain health. Seven to eight hours is ideal. It's often the first thing sacrificed, but it shouldn’t be.

Regular, vigorous exercise is a great stress reducer and a strong lifelong habit.

Humans are wired to notice and dwell on negative experiences—an evolutionary survival trait. But that doesn’t lead to happiness. A gratitude practice can help.

Try the “Three Good Things” exercise. Each night, think of three good things from your day. Write them down or say them out loud before bed. Studies show this significantly boosts mood and helps you notice the good things in real time.

Also, focus on building and nurturing positive relationships with friends and family.

What would you say to a student who feels like they’re falling behind or not cut out for medicine due to mental health struggles?

It can feel like there’s only one path through medicine—a straight ladder. Miss one rung, and you’re done. But it’s more like a jungle gym. There are multiple paths, detours, and reentries.

Here are three things to remember:

1. Being a physician isn’t the only path to success, accomplishment, or happiness. Many students believe it is, consciously or not. I’m not saying give up your dream—but be open to other possibilities.
2. If you need a break or need to downshift, think about how that time can help you build skills and broaden your experience. Those may end up being the most valuable parts of your journey.
3. When applying or interviewing, be thoughtful about how you present breaks or mental health struggles. Frame them as periods of growth and skill development. Many still view mental and physical health as private and outside the professional sphere, so present your story professionally—without hiding your authentic self.

Admissions teams, attendings, and residents are all human too. They’ve had their own struggles. Don’t fear being judged for being human—but be thoughtful about how you share that.

‍Inspira Advantage is proud to interview experts like Dr. Stefanie Simmons, FACEP, to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into medical school today.

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