172. Dr. Todd Otten: Suck It Up, Buttercup and the Fight to Fix Medicine
What if the biggest threat to healthcare isn’t disease, but the system itself? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Todd Otten shares the story behind the documentary Suck It Up, Buttercup, which exposes the systemic forces fueling physician burnout in America. Drawing from his own experience with burnout and the heartbreaking loss of colleagues to suicide, Dr. Otten reveals why medicine’s culture of silence and resilience is no longer sustainable. Together, we explore how breaking down silos, building connections, and empowering physicians and patients to speak up can create ripple effects for change. If you’re searching for hope, purpose, and a path forward in medicine, this episode offers both honesty and inspiration.
Key Takeaways To Listen For
- The deeply personal experiences that inspired Dr. Otten to help create the documentary Suck It Up, Buttercup
- Why physician burnout is not simply an individual problem but a systemic failure
- The concept of learned helplessness in medicine and how it keeps clinicians stuck
- Why healthcare silos slow down meaningful change and isolate physicians
- The power of connection and collaboration to create large-scale impact in medicine
“I want to impart that your voice does matter. Your words matter.” - Dr. Todd Otten
About Dr. Todd Otten: Dr. Todd R. Otten, MD, FAAFP, is a husband, father, family physician, and decorated Naval flight surgeon. He has over 20 years of experience in providing quality patient care, leading teams, and managing projects in various settings, including the United States Navy, where he was honored as the naval flight surgeon of the year in 2006 for the Atlantic Fleet. Has held numerous physician leadership positions, including as an ACO medical director. Co-authored a book with a former patient: Ripple of Change. Executive Producer for the documentary - Suck it Up, Buttercup: Trust and Betrayal - Healthcare in America. Currently, he serves as the Lead Catalyst/Board Chair for Medicine Forward, the Director of Strategic Relationships for Emergency Care Specialists, and recently joined Plum Health DPC.
Connect with Dr. Todd Otten:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-r-otten-md-faafp-173028277/
Ripple of Change: https://rippleofchange.us/
Medicine Forward: www.medicineforward.org
Emergency Care Specialists: https://www.ecs-wmi.com/
Plum Health DPC: https://www.plumhealthdpc.com/
Suck it Up, Buttercup: Trust & Betrayal - Healthcare in America
Website: https://siubfilm.com/
Trailer: https://siubfilm.com/about-the-film/#watch-video-tease
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-suck-it-up-buttercup-documentary
Donate Here: https://clinicianburnoutfoundation.org/donate/
Irreverent Health as the event host for March 19th Exclusive Screening: https://irreverenthealth.com/suck-it-up-buttercup/
Background:
Suck it Up, Buttercup is a timely and emotionally resonant documentary exploring the crisis of trust in American medicine. Following the overarching issues of greed and profits over people, the film highlights patient suffering, clinician burnout, betrayal, and the struggles of those on the frontlines of care. With a sharp focus on systemic dysfunction and a multitude of deeply personal stories, the film raises awareness, provokes dialogue, and inspires change at every level of healthcare.
Two-Part Call to Action:
- Inspire the “unlearning” of Learned Helplessness
- Accelerate an impact network that values people over profits
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