When Will You “Grow Up”? Medicine’s Hidden Culture of Labels

Why do we ask physicians in their 30s, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In this episode of HuMed, Dr. David Spiro sits down with Emma Cooke, MD, an internal medicine physician, Med-Peds graduate, and author of a thought-provoking JAMA essay exploring how a simple question reveals deeper issues within medical culture. Together they discuss: Why medical trainees are often defined by their future specialty rather than who they are today How unconscious bias shapes evaluations, mentorship, and career opportunities The challenges women continue to face in medical training Why physicians should connect with trainees as people—not stereotypes How empathy, curiosity, and human connection create better teachers and better doctors This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about medical education while offering practical ways to build a more compassionate culture for learners, physicians, and patients alike. Whether you’re a physician, trainee, healthcare professional, educator, or simply interested in the human side of medicine, this episode offers an honest look at identity, bias, and what it truly means to grow as a doctor. About HuMed HuMed with David Spiro, MD explores the human side of medicine through conversations with physicians, nurses, patients, and healthcare leaders who remind us that compassion is just as important as clinical expertise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices