EP474 - Dr. Leah Croll on Combating Misinformation as a Trusted Media Voice

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In an age of rampant health misinformation, physicians can be trusted voices to guide patients and the public. In this episode, Dr. Bradley Block interviews Dr. Leah Croll, who shares her journey into broadcast and print media to deliver reliable health information. From a 2020 ABC News residency rotation to regular appearances on Good Morning America and local Philadelphia networks, Dr. Croll discusses her dual motivations: a duty to counter misinformation and the personal joy of media work as a burnout antidote. She offers practical strategies for physicians, from leveraging hospital PR to crafting concise soundbites, while addressing challenges like safety risks and patient confusion. Her media work has inspired new clinical ventures, including lifestyle and women’s neurology clinics, enhancing her practice.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Tap Into PR Resources: Partner with your hospital’s PR department or cold-pitch producers with targeted story ideas to land media opportunities.
2. Perfect Your Message: Prepare 10–15 second sound bites to convey key points clearly, applicable to both media appearances and patient visits.
3. Know Your Expertise Limits: Assess your knowledge on non-specialty topics, consult colleagues if feasible, or decline to maintain credibility.

About the Show:
The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!

About the Guest:

Dr. Leah Croll is a board-certified vascular neurologist at SUNY Downstate, specializing in stroke care. A seasoned medical communicator, she appears on ABC News, Good Morning America, and local Philadelphia networks to combat health misinformation. Her media work has sparked plans for lifestyle and women’s neurology clinics and a lifestyle medicine board certification. Dr. Croll shares insights through her Substack newsletter, The Dose.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drleahcroll?igsh=MXcyMmV4MGtta252Zw==
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drleahcroll?_t=ZM-8xvAvfTc74n&_r=1
Substack: https://drleahcroll.substack.com

About the host:

Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians

Want to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!

Socials:

@physicia