During the peak of the pandemic, “it was so tough on everybody, and two of my co-residents quit,” recalled Todd Walker, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Austin, Texas. Even the one perk for healthcare workers — free coffee from chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks — ended after a few months.
That is, until one of Walker’s attendees decided to take matters into his own hands. Each week, he brought in coffee and donuts for the staff.
That’s it. Coffee and donuts. But it worked. Morale rose.
And Walker started thinking.
“We drink more coffee than anyone,” he said of healthcare workers.
Along with two colleagues, Walker co-founded a mission-driven coffee company. Morning Rounds Coffee sells craft coffee and mugs, donating up to 25% of its profits to organizations that support mental health programs and scholarships for healthcare workers.
The blends are the fun part: All named with medical terms like the high caffeine “Transfusion” and Decaf “DNR.” The mugs carry clever phrases, like “ABCs Airway, Breathing…Coffee!” Team members also volunteer their time in the community.
Now, a few years in, the leadership team has expanded to include several doctors who share the workload. Over the course of 2 years of weekly meetings, they’ve become close friends, Walker says.
These relationships are just one of many reasons Walker is grateful for Morning Rounds. Another is how it brought him back to why he started in medicine: To help people he cares about and build community.
“Medicine is a big deal for me,” he said. “I had heart surgery at 10 and am a type 1 diabetic — I still go to the doctor every month. My wife is a cancer doctor. This is my life, this is community.” The challenges of the pandemic showed him how much his fellow healthcare workers need support — and he’s gratified to give it.
As Walker and many others in healthcare have learned firsthand, the joys of giving back are manifold. Small opportunities can bring massive impact. Donating time, money, or services can lead to greater wisdom, gratitude, skills, and confidence. Plus, it can provide meaning and joy and strengthen connections with patients and the community. In short, these efforts can be life-changing and even invigorating, renewing passion for medicine.
