Finding Happiness in Chemo: Dr. Cindy Howard's Inspiring Twist on Beating Cancer with Positivity | Ep54

Imagine turning a life-altering cancer diagnosis into a journey of empowerment, fun, and profound personal growth, without denying the hardship?In this inspiring episode, Dr. Laura Suttin interviews Dr. Cindy Howard, as she shares her unique path from an allopathic family background to chiropractic medicine, her battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma 11 years ago, and how it reshaped her approach to wellness, patient care, and leadership.They explore:Shifting from a victim mentality to one of gratitude and empowermentThe power of self-talk, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), and choosing emotions to navigate challengesLetting go of people, beliefs, and situations that no longer serve youEmbracing failures as learning opportunities and redefining "problems" as "challenges" for better energy and outcomesStrategies for overcoming "can't" mindsets in healthcare, like addressing burnout through small, purposeful actionsDrawing from her experiences in private practice, speaking, and founding the Positively Altered Project, Dr. Cindy offers practical insights for healthcare leaders and clinicians to build resilience, enhance patient connections, and create joy amid adversity.If you're a healthcare professional seeking tools to redefine challenges, boost personal wellbeing, and inspire teams, this episode provides empowering strategies to choose your path with intention and positivity.Three Actionable Takeaways:Practice self-talk to shift energy: When facing negativity or anger, assign it a number. For example,  on a scale of 1-10, and ask, "Why am I feeling this, and how can I redirect it productively?" Use techniques like EFT to release unhelpful emotions, fostering resilience without extra time or resources.Reframe "problems" as "challenges": Replace heavy words like "problem" with "challenge" in daily language to lift your energy and mindset. For example, "The challenge is" instead of "The problem is" making obstacles feel approachable and actionable in high-stress healthcare environments.Embrace failures as growth: View setbacks not as endpoints but as forward steps; reflect on what they teach about your resilience, then take one small action toward change, like exploring new opportunities if your current role contributes to burnout. About the ShowDesigning Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves.About the Guest:Dr. Cindy Howard is a board-certified chiropractic internist, nutritionist, and award-winning author of “Positively Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of a Chemo Bag.” As owner of Innovative Health and Wellness Center and founder of the Positively Altered Project, she unites professionals to reimagine wellness. With leadership roles on boards like in Guardia Health and Fullscript, plus nearly 20 years as an ACA Illinois delegate, Dr. Cindy inspires through her podcast, speaking, and science-backed strategies for integrating mental, physical, and emotional health.Website: https://www.drcindyspeaks.comAbout the Host:Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine.Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and lead with both strategy and soul.When she’s not interviewing changemakers or guiding organizations, you can find her sharing stories that remind us all why we got into medicine in the first place—to make a difference, together.🌐 Website: drlaurasuttin.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-suttin-md/ 📸 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulMD  The Designing Healthcare That Cares Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding personal or organizational decisions.