A Thanksgiving Reflection for Healthcare Providers: Grateful for Time

While this article is aimed at healthcare providers, its message of gratitude and reflection is for anyone seeking inspiration this Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving weekend feels profoundly different for me—a special opportunity to step back, reflect, and express gratitude. After 13 years of service at Orlando Health, I made a life-changing decision to resign and rediscover something I had taken for granted: time. Time to spend with my family, my wife, my sons and daughters, and time to nurture my own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. For healthcare providers and anyone feeling the constant pull of life’s obligations, I want to share my journey and a heartfelt message of gratitude this Thanksgiving.

The Precious Gift of Time

In our fast-paced lives, time often slips away unnoticed until we stop and truly reflect. Since stepping away from my full-time role, I’ve realized how much of this precious commodity I had overlooked. Every morning now begins with journaling and meditation, a simple practice that has grounded me in gratitude.

• I am grateful for health, for the ability to rise each day and care for myself and others.
• I am grateful for family, the constant source of love and strength that grounds me.
• I am grateful for opportunities, the books I’ve read, the people I’ve met, and the experiences that have shaped my growth.

Time has allowed me to truly see and appreciate these blessings. It’s a lesson I want every healthcare provider to embrace: slowing down isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential.

Thanksgiving Away, with Heart Back Home

This Thanksgiving, I find myself traveling and seeing parts of the world more beautiful than I could have imagined. Sharing this journey with my wife and daughters makes it all the more special. Yet, even amidst the joy of exploration, I find myself reflecting on my work back home. I miss my patients, the clinical and research work, and the camaraderie of caring for others.

This time away has rekindled my passion for the work I do. It’s a reminder that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away forever. It means returning with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.

A Message to Healthcare Providers: Take the Break You Deserve

For healthcare providers feeling burned out, numb, or overwhelmed by the constant demands of their work, here’s an important reminder: there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Personally, I spent a challenging year in a repetitive clinical routine, compounded by the loss of several research coordinators, which led to a halt in our research operations and clinical trials. While I wasn’t burned out, the monotony and frustrations stemming from preventable issues left me disengaged. This experience reinforced a vital lesson: taking time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Whether it’s a weekend, a week, or a few months, stepping away allows you to reconnect with what truly matters—your health, your family, and your sense of purpose.

Here are a few thoughts for providers considering a break:

1. Prioritize Your Well-Being: Physical, mental, and spiritual health are the foundation of the care we give to others. Take time to restore and recharge.
2. Plan for Financial Independence: Achieving financial literacy and exploring opportunities for independence can empower you to take time off without fear. Multiple streams of income, careful planning, and intentional savings are tools that make this possible.
3. Rediscover Your Purpose: Stepping back often brings clarity about what you love most about your work and life. It’s an opportunity to return stronger and more fulfilled.

Lessons don’t just make us better clinicians—they make us better human beings for our patients, families, and friends. I’m often asked if I plan to return to a long-term position, and my answer is a resounding yes. I deeply love caring for patients, advancing research, and working with teams dedicated to cutting-edge fields like immunotherapeutics and solid tumor cellular therapy. I am especially grateful to mentors like Dr. Tom George at UF and Dr. Nikhil Khushalani at Moffitt, whose support and guidance after my resignation meant so much. I also appreciate the opportunities to meet with and interview at esteemed institutions both in Florida and beyond.

Gratitude for the Journey

This Thanksgiving, my heart is full. I am grateful for the time I’ve had with my family, for the journey of self-reflection, and for the many roles I’m privileged to hold: oncologist, researcher, educator, entrepreneur, speaker, blogger, father, and husband. This gratitude gives me the energy and drive to continue growing and contributing to the lives of others and my family.

To all my fellow healthcare providers, I hope this Thanksgiving weekend is a moment for you to pause, reflect, and find your own gratitude. Whether you’re at work caring for patients, at home with family, or somewhere in between, know that taking care of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to those you serve.

This Thanksgiving, I am most grateful for time—the time to reflect, to rest, and to reconnect with the people and passions that matter most. I wish all of you, healthcare providers and anyone reading this, a joyful and restorative Thanksgiving filled with gratitude. May this weekend inspire us all to embrace the time we have and use it to become the best versions of ourselves… Happy Thanksgiving!

About the author

Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. He brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.