“What happens when a doctor who's cared for patients becomes the patient herself?” By age 42, rheumatologist Dr. Shaiba Ansari‑Ali confronted that question head-on after a basilar artery stroke forced her off the front lines. But what followed wasn’t retreat—it was rebirth. In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Ansari‑Ali reveals the pivotal moments of her stroke recovery—from regaining speech and mobility to writing her book When the Doctor Has a Stroke, launching her YouTube channel Mansplaining Medicine, and rediscovering her purpose in patient advocacy and education. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Dr. Peter Crane and the Doctors Making a Difference mission 02:30 – Dr. Ansari‑Ali’s background in rheumatology and early career ambitions 07:10 – The moment the stroke hit—frightening, surreal, yet lucid 12:45 – Physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges in rehab 18:30 – Relearning the art of medicine: speech, writing, injections 25:15 – Purpose behind When the Doctor Has a Stroke and Mansplaining Medicine 31:00 – Strategies to improve doctor–patient communication 35:45 – Living with disability and advocating through vulnerability 39:20 – Key message: resilience, health literacy, practicing with empathy 42:00 – Rapid-fire takeaways & next steps for listeners Featured Guest Dr. Shaiba Ansari‑Ali, a board-certified rheumatologist and stroke survivor based in Chicago, now dedicates her work to patient education, health equity, and reshaping how physicians communicate. Key Takeaways No Plan B? Shape one: Even a sudden stroke can redirect a doctor’s mission toward deeper purpose. Resources Mentioned When the Doctor Has a Stroke by Dr. Shaiba Ansari‑Ali Mansplaining Medicine — YouTube channel breaking down complex health topics Doctors Making a Difference Podcast — for more real-life physician stories Listen & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite player Rate & Review to help the show reach more caregivers and clinicians Connect on LinkedIn and Twitter — @DrPeterCrane Follow, share, and spread the message of empathy and resilience About the Host Dr. Peter Crane is a practicing physician, storyteller, and passionate advocate for clinicians who care deeply. Through Doctors Making a Difference, he spotlights doctors whose lives and careers reflect the profound, imperfect, and beautiful complexity of medicine. @ShaibaAnsari-Ali @DoctorPodcastNetwork