Dr. Lisa Sanders stands as a prominent figure in the realm of medical diagnosis, renowned for her multifaceted career as a physician, educator, author, and media personality. Serving as the Medical Director of Yale’s Long COVID Multidisciplinary Care Center, her expertise extends beyond clinical practice into the art of diagnostic storytelling and education. Her insightful “Diagnosis” column in the New York Times Magazine and the “Think Like a Doctor” column for The Well blog have captivated readers for years, offering a glimpse into the intricate world of medical problem-solving. Notably, her column served as the inspiration for the acclaimed Fox television series House MD (2004-2012), where she also contributed as a consultant, further solidifying her influence on popular understanding of medical diagnosis. In 2010, Dr. Sanders published Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis, a book that delves into the complexities of diagnosis through compelling real-life cases. Continuing her collaboration with the New York Times, she co-created the 2019 Netflix documentary series Diagnosis, an eight-hour exploration of the diagnostic process, bringing medical mysteries to a wider audience. Her most recent publication, Diagnosis: Solving the Most Baffling Medical Mysteries, is a curated collection of her most compelling columns, offering readers a deep dive into her diagnostic acumen.
Interestingly, Dr. Sanders’ journey into medicine was unconventional. Her undergraduate years at the College of William and Mary were spent immersed in English literature, writing for the college newspaper, The Flat Hat, and working at Chownings Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. Following graduation, she embarked on a career in journalism with ABC’s Good Morning America. Her journalistic prowess was further recognized when she received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story while at CBS News, for her reporting on Hurricane Hugo’s devastating impact on her hometown of Charleston, S.C. However, Dr. Sanders felt a professional shift was needed, and her journalistic experiences covering medical topics sparked a deep interest in medicine itself. This led her to Columbia University’s Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, and subsequently, to Yale School of Medicine. She humorously describes her acceptance to Yale as being among the “10 percent of the class they reserve for weirdos,” highlighting her unique and diverse background.
Beyond her clinical duties, Dr. Sanders actively engages in research focused on clinical decision-making, specifically investigating the cognitive processes behind diagnostic decisions and the nature of diagnostic errors. While less directly related to “Dr Lisa Sanders Diagnosis” in the context of medical mysteries, she has also authored two books exploring the science of weight loss and dietary choices: 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). These publications, while distinct from her diagnostic work, demonstrate her broader interest in health and well-being. Dr. Lisa Sanders’ contributions to medicine and public understanding of diagnosis are significant, making her a leading voice in explaining the complexities and human stories behind medical mysteries.
