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Dr. Lee Ponsky

Urology/ Urologic Oncology · View profile →

Off the grid: how I got off the grid & you can too | Lee Ponsky | TEDxCLE

Video Published 2026-07-29 Updated 2026-07-29

Topic Overview

Urologic oncologist Lee Ponsky shares his personal journey of taking a sabbatical year to disconnect from clinical practice after witnessing patient regret. This TEDx talk offers practical advice for healthcare professionals seeking to reassess priorities and prevent burnout through intentional career breaks.

Key Takeaways

  • Daily patient encounters with end-of-life regret can serve as powerful catalysts for personal life changes and priority reassessment.
  • Taking extended time away from clinical practice ('off the grid') is achievable even in demanding surgical subspecialties with planning.
  • Physician burnout prevention may require intentional disconnection from professional obligations to reconnect with personal values.
  • Family considerations and patient stories of regret should inform work-life balance decisions before reaching career endpoints.
  • Structured sabbaticals can provide perspective on sustainable career practices and prevent accumulation of personal regrets.

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