Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
@drmlb.bsky.social
Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Medical Ethics at Baylor College of Medicine. Pediatric surgeon, theologian, healer of healers, and maker of good trouble.
Pinned
I've cared for a child who required general anesthesia for over a month for tetanus, treated near fatal infections in several children after chicken pox, and watched a kid (who asked for the COVID shot) die after their parents refused to let them be immunized. Lifetimes lost to preventable diseases.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
"Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up." #DorothyDay #LoveEachOther assisiproject.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"Love and ever more love is the only solution to every problem that comes up." #DorothyDay #LoveEachOther assisiproject.com
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward
Gratitude, Thanksgiving and Being On Call
To the physicians, nurses, hospital staff, police officers, fire fighters, soldiers, clerks and anyone else who spend this holiday helping others – thank you. We are grateful.
wellnessrounds.org
November 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Meandering thoughts about being grateful. #HappyThanksgiving
Shohei Ohtani, Attention Spans, and Elevation (Gratitude on Steroids)
How Shohei Ihtani became a superstar, how to cultivate attention (which Mary Oliver taught "is the beginning of devotion), and what gratitude has to do which why we want to be and do better as human b...
wellnessrounds.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Meandering thoughts about being grateful. #HappyThanksgiving
This is an incredible story... there is still magic in the world.
"After 13 years, a 23-hour journey, risking tiger attacks, nearly dead phone batteries, I couldn't talk. I just cried..."
"After 13 years, a 23-hour journey, risking tiger attacks, nearly dead phone batteries, I couldn't talk. I just cried..."
Researcher cries after finding rare flower in Indonesia
A team of researchers describe the "magical" experience of finding a rare species of flower in bloom deep in the Sumatran rainforest after a 23-hour trek.
www.abc.net.au
November 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
This is an incredible story... there is still magic in the world.
"After 13 years, a 23-hour journey, risking tiger attacks, nearly dead phone batteries, I couldn't talk. I just cried..."
"After 13 years, a 23-hour journey, risking tiger attacks, nearly dead phone batteries, I couldn't talk. I just cried..."
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
CARTOON OF THE DAY
November 27, 2025 at 1:09 AM
CARTOON OF THE DAY
As someone who has provided care to children for my entire career… I am ashamed and I am inspired to help our country do better. #DontLookAway
About 40% of SNAP recipients are children. Around half of ALL children in the country are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
November 27, 2025 at 1:19 AM
As someone who has provided care to children for my entire career… I am ashamed and I am inspired to help our country do better. #DontLookAway
Meandering thoughts about being grateful. #HappyThanksgiving
Shohei Ohtani, Attention Spans, and Elevation (Gratitude on Steroids)
How Shohei Ihtani became a superstar, how to cultivate attention (which Mary Oliver taught "is the beginning of devotion), and what gratitude has to do which why we want to be and do better as human b...
wellnessrounds.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Meandering thoughts about being grateful. #HappyThanksgiving
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
A transcript of the call appears to show Steve Witkoff coaching his Russian counterpart on how they could get a better deal to end the war in Ukraine n.pr/4incxdN
Trump defends key negotiator after leaked phone call appears to show him coaching Russia
A transcript of the call appears to show Steve Witkoff coaching his Russian counterpart on how they could get a better deal to end the war in Ukraine
n.pr
November 27, 2025 at 12:34 AM
A transcript of the call appears to show Steve Witkoff coaching his Russian counterpart on how they could get a better deal to end the war in Ukraine n.pr/4incxdN
"9 in 10 Americans gather around a table to share food on Thanksgiving.At this polarizing moment, anything that promises to bring Americans together warrants our attention.But as a historian of religion,I feel obliged to recount how popular interpretations of Thanksgiving also have pulled us apart."
How the Plymouth Pilgrims took over Thanksgiving – and who history left behind
In some ways, Thanksgiving is a tradition that unites Americans. But the classic image of the Pilgrims obscures important parts of the country’s story.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"9 in 10 Americans gather around a table to share food on Thanksgiving.At this polarizing moment, anything that promises to bring Americans together warrants our attention.But as a historian of religion,I feel obliged to recount how popular interpretations of Thanksgiving also have pulled us apart."
"If this isn't nice, what is?"
Thank you @ShahilBloom for this reminder to notice the goodness around us and give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thank you @ShahilBloom for this reminder to notice the goodness around us and give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
The Things You Prayed For | The Curiosity Chronicle
The Curiosity Chronicle has quickly become one of the most popular newsletters for growth-minded individuals in the world. Each week, subscribers receive a deep dive that covers topics ranging from…
www.sahilbloom.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"If this isn't nice, what is?"
Thank you @ShahilBloom for this reminder to notice the goodness around us and give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thank you @ShahilBloom for this reminder to notice the goodness around us and give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
"Every ten minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world...Gender inequality and misogyny remain key drivers." www.vaticannews.va/en/world/new...
UN: 50,000 women killed in one year - Vatican News
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, new UN figures highlight the scale of gender-based violence. As online abuse ...
www.vaticannews.va
November 26, 2025 at 3:20 AM
"Every ten minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world...Gender inequality and misogyny remain key drivers." www.vaticannews.va/en/world/new...
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Australia’s latest cervical cancer report is wild:
Zero cases in women under 25 for the first time ever — a milestone researchers say is almost entirely due to HPV vaccination.
But vaccination rates are slipping, and experts warn urgent
#BlueSky #NewsSky #MedSky #SciSky #IDSky #ObSky #PedsSky
Zero cases in women under 25 for the first time ever — a milestone researchers say is almost entirely due to HPV vaccination.
But vaccination rates are slipping, and experts warn urgent
#BlueSky #NewsSky #MedSky #SciSky #IDSky #ObSky #PedsSky
2025 Cervical Cancer Elimination Progress Report | C4
Australia’s progress towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem
report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
November 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
❤️
Coco Gauff, with the help of the USTA, matched her $3 million earnings for winning the 2023 U.S. Open to renovate tennis courts at Joe W. Brown Park in New Orleans.
Coco dropped in for a surprise visit. This one kid was serious about making his moment count. Look at the concentration!
Coco dropped in for a surprise visit. This one kid was serious about making his moment count. Look at the concentration!
November 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
❤️
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was born 193 years ago today: Nov. 26, 1832.
She was a doctor, Civil War surgeon, and women's dress reform advocate, but is best known as America's only female Medal of Honor recipient. Here's a great 2019 We're History article about her from author R.E. Fulton.
She was a doctor, Civil War surgeon, and women's dress reform advocate, but is best known as America's only female Medal of Honor recipient. Here's a great 2019 We're History article about her from author R.E. Fulton.
Dr. Mary E. Walker: “Clothes Make the (Wo)man”
“It is a shame that people who lead reforms in this world are not appreciated until after they are dead…”
werehistory.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was born 193 years ago today: Nov. 26, 1832.
She was a doctor, Civil War surgeon, and women's dress reform advocate, but is best known as America's only female Medal of Honor recipient. Here's a great 2019 We're History article about her from author R.E. Fulton.
She was a doctor, Civil War surgeon, and women's dress reform advocate, but is best known as America's only female Medal of Honor recipient. Here's a great 2019 We're History article about her from author R.E. Fulton.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
Woman With Ties To Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Family In ICE Custody
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
www.forbes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.
“We’ll share the Renaissance timbale a dozen oysters and a dozen little neck clams. I’ll have the broiled mackerel with sauce Colbert and the table will share the artichokes, the celery, and some mashed potatoes. For dessert I’ll have the baked apple dumpling with brandy sauce with ice cream.”
Thanksgiving Menu at the Plaza Hotel in New York City (1899)
Above, we have the menu for an 1899 Thanksgiving dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York. If you were a turkey, you had it relatively easy. But the ducks? Not so much. On the menu, you'll find Mallard…
www.openculture.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“We’ll share the Renaissance timbale a dozen oysters and a dozen little neck clams. I’ll have the broiled mackerel with sauce Colbert and the table will share the artichokes, the celery, and some mashed potatoes. For dessert I’ll have the baked apple dumpling with brandy sauce with ice cream.”
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
My daughter and I visited the house we lived in when she was a baby, and she was shocked a 29-year-old Navy guy could afford a nice house in a safe neighborhood.
That wasn’t crazy in 1996 — but today, a nice house is out of reach for so many young people. That has to change.
That wasn’t crazy in 1996 — but today, a nice house is out of reach for so many young people. That has to change.
November 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
My daughter and I visited the house we lived in when she was a baby, and she was shocked a 29-year-old Navy guy could afford a nice house in a safe neighborhood.
That wasn’t crazy in 1996 — but today, a nice house is out of reach for so many young people. That has to change.
That wasn’t crazy in 1996 — but today, a nice house is out of reach for so many young people. That has to change.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
We’d like to end today with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 AM
We’d like to end today with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.
Just keep going. Goodnight, heroes.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Glad to see this from Senator Murkowski.
This should not be a partisan issue.
This should not be a partisan issue.
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Glad to see this from Senator Murkowski.
This should not be a partisan issue.
This should not be a partisan issue.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
The stock market's gains are being overwhelmingly driven by seven Big Tech companies who have invested heavily in AI, which has made tech oligarchs even wealthier.
But when that AI bubble bursts, the rest of us will be stuck holding the bag.
Be warned.
But when that AI bubble bursts, the rest of us will be stuck holding the bag.
Be warned.
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The stock market's gains are being overwhelmingly driven by seven Big Tech companies who have invested heavily in AI, which has made tech oligarchs even wealthier.
But when that AI bubble bursts, the rest of us will be stuck holding the bag.
Be warned.
But when that AI bubble bursts, the rest of us will be stuck holding the bag.
Be warned.
Reposted by Mary Brandt, MD, MDiv
Louisiana's surgeon general Dr. Ralph Abraham, who has praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure as health secretary and called COVID vaccines "dangerous," will become the second-highest ranking official at the CDC. n.pr/49Af0z8
Louisiana's top health official, a critic of the COVID vaccine, will be CDC deputy
Louisiana's surgeon general Dr. Ralph Abraham, who has praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure as health secretary and called COVID vaccines "dangerous," will become the second-highest ranking official at the CDC.
n.pr
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Louisiana's surgeon general Dr. Ralph Abraham, who has praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s tenure as health secretary and called COVID vaccines "dangerous," will become the second-highest ranking official at the CDC. n.pr/49Af0z8
🔥
Sen. Mark Kelly on MS NOW: "I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I've been nearly shot down multiple times … My wife, Gabby Giffords, meeting with her constituents, shot in the head, six people killed around her … We know what political violence is. And we know what causes it, too."
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
🔥
Truth!
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Truth!