Lisa Sanders, MD, stands as a prominent figure in the realm of medical diagnosis, renowned for her ability to decipher complex medical mysteries. As the Medical Director of Yale’s Long COVID Multidisciplinary Care Center, her expertise extends beyond clinical practice into the art of medical narrative. Millions recognize her name from the New York Times Magazine‘s popular “Diagnosis” column and the “Think Like a Doctor” column in The New York Times blog, “The Well,” where she masterfully blends medical knowledge with compelling storytelling. Her profound impact on popular culture is further cemented by her role as the inspiration and consultant for the hit Fox television series, House MD (2004-2012). Dr. Sanders has also authored impactful books, including Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis (2010) and her recent collection, Diagnosis: Solving the Most Baffling Medical Mysteries. Her influence extends to visual media through an eight-hour Netflix documentary series in collaboration with the New York Times (2019), further exploring the intricate process of diagnosis.
Dr. Sanders’ journey into medicine was uniquely unconventional. Her undergraduate years at the College of William and Mary were dedicated to English literature and journalism, writing for The Flat Hat and working at Chownings Tavern. Following graduation, she embarked on a career in television journalism with ABC’s Good Morning America and later CBS News. Notably, she received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story for her reporting on Hurricane Hugo. However, a growing fascination with medicine, sparked by her journalistic experiences, led her to a significant career shift. Dr. Sanders pursued pre-medical studies at Columbia University’s Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program before being accepted into Yale School of Medicine. She humorously notes that her acceptance was “as part of the 10 percent of the class they reserve for weirdos,” highlighting her non-traditional background in the field of medicine.
Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Sanders actively engages in research focused on clinical decision-making, particularly the nuances of diagnostic processes and the origins of diagnostic errors. Her insights into patient care are further enriched by her earlier publications exploring diet and weight management, including The Perfect Fit Diet: Combine What Science Knows About Weight Loss With What You Know About Yourself (2004) and The Perfect Fit Diet: How to Lose Weight, Keep it Off and Still Eat the Foods You Love (2005). Through her diverse body of work, Lisa Sanders continues to bridge the gap between complex medical understanding and public accessibility, making the world of diagnosis both fascinating and comprehensible.
