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Articles by Simone Phillips
Best Of 2025: Food & Drink
The Urban Oyster Chef Jasmine Norton opened the country’s first Black- and woman-owned oyster bar in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood, and it drew both local and national attention — so much so that Norton was named a James Beard semifinalist, one of the most prestigious dining awards, for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
Developmental-behavioral pediatrics: the lost identity
Developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) has lost its identity, and my career shows what happens when leadership retreats. When I applied for positions in Tucson and Jacksonville, I was not seen as a developmental pediatrician with expertise in neurodevelopmental disabilities. Instead, I became the dumping ground for “Stranger Things” (children whose needs were psychiatric, not developmental). Administrators and chiefs, lacking even a basic understanding of DBP, misrouted cases into my lap.
9 Best Restaurants in Baltimore for Seafood and Beyond
What are the best restaurants in Baltimore? Once known primarily for steamed crabs and seafood generously dusted with Old Bay, Baltimore has quietly transformed into a dining destination making big waves in the food world. Over the past decade, I’ve watched the city build on its celebrated staples while embracing bold and exciting concepts. Now it feels like a new restaurant or café is opening its doors every day. But it's the mix of old and new that's most exciting.
9 Best Restaurants in Baltimore for Seafood and Beyond
2 hours ago A tractor-trailer crash involving a fuel spill closed southbound Interstate 95 in Harford County. Fire crews were called to the crash near the Maryland Route 24 exit in the Abingdon area Tuesday morning. Maryland State Police told WBAL-TV 11 News that multiple vehicles were involved in a collision. Four people were taken to hospitals.\ No further information was immediately released.
The hidden cost of a physician's intellectual identity
My mind became the centerpiece of my identity early on in life. I lived so intimately with my thoughts that I came to believe this is who I was. As academic success and the praise of being “the smart one” set me apart, I internalized a sense of uniqueness. Others saw it too, which created early recognition… and isolation. And here lies the hidden cost: Praise becomes a promise. A quiet contract that requires constant success. Pressure becomes a prison. You avoid challenges that could lead to failure.
My first week on night float as a medical student
I had heard about night float: a daunting rotation for interns as they cared for patients they often were not well acquainted with, putting out fires until their usual team could take over in the morning. Given this reputation, I was surprised to find a night float week on my schedule as part of my internal medicine clerkship, a core rotation as a third-year medical student.
From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption
I’ve lived a full life. A hard one. A beautiful one. A complicated one. And now, at 61, I’m finally beginning to live an honest one. I was built in survival mode. Growing up as a Korean American boy in Central Texas—often the only Asian face in the room—my earliest years taught me that difference could either be celebrated… or punished. At first, it was celebrated. I flourished. But a move to a new city taught me something else: Different can become dangerous. I was bullied. Ostracized.
How motherhood reshaped my identity as a scientist and teacher
Mother scholar. The phrase rolls off the tongue with the force and ferocity of a curse word—blunt, unsparing, weighty. I didn’t coin the term, but I inhabit it. A vessel for the seeming contradictions of tenderness and skepticism, integration and dissection. Of being simultaneously maternal and cerebral in institutions that reward detachment, autonomy, and efficiency.
What my first Match Day as a program director taught me about hope
Today was my first Match Day as a program director and, while most of my emotions are unprocessed, I already have many thoughts. I can’t forget the concurrent drop in my stomach, pause in my cardiac systole, and the involuntary intake of breath which occurred when the email arrived—2 minutes early!—from the NRMP. I stacked an extra gasp even before I exhaled the first while I fumbled to open the email. My hands were shaking.
The hidden bias young female physicians face every day
This story is dedicated to all my female friends in medicine. Didi does not love her job. What started as a noble purpose of helping people made her feel as though she has become a glorified customer service representative. She focuses on her Hippocratic oath, all right. She’s an internist in her 30s, seeing about fifteen to twenty patients per day, and she’s fed up with the sense of disrespect.
The inspiring journey of a medical physicist and her unbreakable friendship
M has always been very close to me. She joined our hospital’s oncology department over ten years ago as a radiation technologist. Currently, she works as a medical physicist in our department and is the only female physicist in our hospital. Her presence here is not due to luck or extraordinary circumstances; she has dedicated immense effort to her career.
Physician Suicide Awareness Day: a call to action against the silent epidemic
Physician Suicide Awareness Day comes and goes each September, bringing with it the sad and perplexing realization that physicians usually top the lists of professionals most likely to take their own lives—something often described as the “silent epidemic.” I sample recent literature on the topic each year, each time noting how varied and complex the statistics and issues surrounding it are. Over the years, there have been physician suicides in Austin, though the exact number remains unclear.
A doctor’s journey in embracing her identity
I am the combination of two very different worlds—my mother is originally from El Salvador and Catholic, and my father is from Pakistan and Muslim. My parents are original trailblazers in my mind, creating a life together despite the unsure gaze of their respective families, who questioned the durability of their relationship, largely because they had never experienced one like theirs before.
Navigating identity and role changes throughout a physician's career
Physicians dedicate their lives to healing others, often at the expense of their own well-being. This intense focus on professional success can, over time, become a kind of addiction. As physicians progress through different stages of their careers, it becomes crucial to adapt and redefine their professional identity beyond the confines of clinical practice. The evolving roles of physicians The concept of a physician’s role is dynamic and ever-evolving.
Navigating Match Day emotions [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join Amna Shabbir, an internal medicine physician, as we delve into the complex emotions surrounding Match Day outcomes. We explore strategies for navigating feelings of rejection, shame, and disappointment while emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and resilience.
To the physician who didn’t match: You are not forgotten
Match day. Many of you are rejoicing in the outcomes, while many of you might be experiencing these “other” emotions. They might sound like rejection, shame, hopelessness, despair, disappointment, anger, exhaustion, or self-doubt. The wounds from this year’s match might still be fresh, and I do not want to thrust any toxic positivity on you. It’s okay if you are feeling awful right now; it’s natural. Give yourself time to process these emotions.
It is literally possible to be a woman in medicine! We are doing it every day.
I love America Ferrara’s monologue in Barbie. Similarly, the impossibility of being a woman in medicine, as so clearly stated in Dr. Jennifer Lycette’s recent essay in KevinMD, absolutely resonates with me. And yet, let’s not forget that in 2021, two of five practicing physicians were women, with certain fields including (my own) dermatology, internal medicine, and pediatrics having a female predominance.
Create a new, empowering identity for yourself [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Parastoo Jangouk, a gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician. We dive into the challenges faced by business owners and health care professionals in December. It’s a month filled with long hours, patient appointments, and marketing efforts. But amidst the hustle, we uncover the importance of slowing down and confronting the inner voices that hold us back.
How to shed old narratives and forge a powerful new identity in 2024
Like other business owners and private medical groups, I tend to work more hours towards the end of the year. December is an endless marathon trying to see more patients, add more procedure hours, and double book the office and endoscopy sessions on the clinic side. On the business side, we are creating more content and marketing our online programs. Patients have met their deductibles; they need to check their screening colonoscopies off their list. People are resolving to personal growth.
Nurturing Success
Unlocking Potential through Psychological and Educational Evaluations As an experienced educational psychologist, I am delighted to share the incredible journey of psychological and educational evaluations. Join me as we explore the evaluation process, uncover their purpose, discover the benefits they offer to parents, students, and school districts, explore potential outcomes, and learn how I can assist families in preparing their children for the new school year.
Embrace an expanded identity: Become more than just a doctor
You have undoubtedly invested countless hours in honing your medical expertise to become great at helping others. Your commitment to the well-being of your patients is commendable, but sometimes, when you give too much of yourself, you can experience that dreaded burnout. That overwhelming sinking feeling, like you’re constantly spinning your wheels but not going anywhere. So today, I want to emphasize the importance of embracing your expanded identity and becoming more than just a doctor.
Ask Charm City Table: Best ‘grown-up’ bars in Baltimore
Baltimore Banner reader Sujata Massey says she loves finding classy, “grown-up” bars and gastropubs to rendezvous with friends.
Ask Charm City Table: The best Middle Eastern cuisine in Baltimore
Baltimore Banner reader Robert Musila emailed me in search of Middle Eastern cuisine in Baltimore. The city has a few well-known spots serving dishes from the region, including Lebanese Taverna and Ammoora, the new Levantine fine-dining restaurant getting a lot of local buzz.
Charm City Table: Zorba’s Bar & Grill in Greektown serves up a satisfying meal
In Southeast Baltimore is a neighborhood previously home to a bustling Greek community. While the Greektown area has changed a lot over the years, it still exists as a hub for Baltimore’s Greek cuisine.
Ask Charm City Table: The Helmand still leaves a lasting impression
Mount Vernon, one of Baltimore’s most historic areas and cultural hotspots, has been home to The Helmand for 34 years.
Ask Charm City Table: Revisiting Attman’s Deli for corned beef
Just east of downtown Baltimore is a 107-year-old family-owned Jewish deli that has celebrities, presidents, and long lines of locals and tourists stopping by to try their overstuffed sandwiches.
A hands-off approach to medical exams is potentially deadly
My mother passed away in early December. She had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. Her communication was poor due to the disease. The caregivers in the memory care unit where she was located stated that she had been vomiting the night before her death. The next morning, she was moaning, and they believed she was in pain. An ambulance was called, and she was taken to the local hospital.
Here’s where to go for a hike and nice lunch
Baltimore Banner reader Kelli Malan Eimer says her favorite weekend lunch plans are just over the city-county line along Falls Road. Lunch at a British-inspired cafe after a hike at Lake Roland, located directly across the street from the restaurant, is her recommendation for a bite to eat and a little bit of nature.
Beyond the physical: How hand injuries affect identity and expression [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! In this episode, we’re joined by Peter T. Hetzler, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, to discuss the importance of the hand in human identity and expression. In the U.S. private sector, hand injuries were the second most common workplace injury in 2019. They often significantly impact a person’s livelihood and ability to express themselves.
French-inspired restaurant Le Comptoir du Vin lives up to the hype
Baltimore’s food scene has been getting an incredible amount of local and national attention over the past few years. Le Comptoir du Vin, a French-inspired restaurant recommended by Baltimore Banner reader Bill Hamilton, has landed on national best restaurant lists in both Bon Appétit and Esquire magazines.
Senior restaurant recommendations: Where older people can go for a peaceful meal and good food
Baltimore Banner reader Jodi Dunn says that, as a foodie, she and her friends love to eat out — but they’re all in their 70s, and excessive noise and loud music makes it difficult for them to enjoy the dining experience.
Ask Charm City Table: 5 dog-friendly spots in Baltimore
Dining out is an experience often shared with other people. However, Baltimore is a city that also welcomes eating out with your furry friends. After reading my recent Ask Charm City Table column, Five Heated Patios in Baltimore, Baltimore Banner subscriber Anne Breitenbach messaged about restaurants where you can dine with your dog. Anne recommends the dog-centric concept Bark Social, the stunning patio at Gunther & Co, and one of my personal favorites, Maggie’s Farm, for dog-friendly dining.
Looking for good pit beef and BBQ in Baltimore? Jake’s Grill has it.
In my five-plus years blogging about Baltimore restaurants, people frequently ask me to find local places offering good barbecue. In the Baltimore area, while there are a handful of traditional “low and slow’' barbecue spots, we also have our version of “barbecue” that is all its own — pit beef. Some people confuse pit beef with pit bbq, but it is actually different.
Ask Charm City Table: Five Baltimore-area restaurants with heated outdoor dining
Like many others, Baltimore Banner reader Selma Levi and her husband continue to dine outdoors during the colder months. She’s familiar with the heated patios at Johnny’s in Roland Park and Wicked Sisters in Hampden, but she’s looking for more options. She asks: “What are some restaurants that still have outdoor seating with heaters for the winter?” Continuing my “Ask Charm City Table” series, I am answering questions from readers.
A letter to residents after the subspecialty match
Dear residents: I heard the amazing news that each of you matched today. Congratulations! That is huge. You will be outstanding subspecialists! The best part is that now you can take a deep breath and relax. The stress is over. Hopefully, you matched at your first choice, but please know that if you didn’t, it will be OK. I know the feeling.
Charm City Table finally finds good dim sum - in Ellicott City
Finding dim sum in the Baltimore area is difficult. So when I received an email from Baltimore Banner reader Henry Wong recommending what he says is the “best dim sum spot in town,” I took the 25 minute drive to Ellicott City to try it out. As part of The Baltimore Banner series Ask Charm City Table, I am visiting restaurants in Baltimore and surrounding counties suggested by readers and offering my own tips and recommendations. Here is what I thought about Asian Court in Ellicott City.
Ask Charm City Table: Trying a traditional Honduran dish at Restaurante Cristiano Jireh
A few weeks ago, Baltimore Banner reader Kelleigh Johnson shared some of her favorite Baltimore restaurants and dishes with me. Johnson says Tortilleria Sinaloa’s carnitas and barbacoa tacos, Restaurante Cristiano Jireh’s baleadas, and Samos’ combo plate are her and her husband’s top choices when dining out. Tortilleria Sinaloa and Samos are two places where I have eaten many times over the years. But Restaurante Cristiano Jireh was new to me.
Ask Charm City Table: Have a hidden restaurant gem? Tell us. We’ll check it out and share our faves.
Since I began contributing to The Baltimore Banner as one of the Creatives in Residence, many of you have shared your favorite Baltimore-area restaurants with me. You’ve introduced me to eating spots and dishes I have not yet tried or reintroduced me to some that I had forgotten. As I continue exploring the area’s dining scene and giving some of my own recommendations, I am going to start sharing what I learn and hear from you as well. I am beginning a new series, Ask Charm City Table.
Charm City Table: Good eats in Highlandtown
Highlandtown is an enchanting, multi-ethnic neighborhood with a colorful, exciting arts scene. Home to Baltimore-style pizza, a “Top Chef” alum’s interpretation of comfort food, Peruvian chicken, tacos, pho and more, this east Baltimore neighborhood is densely packed with options for foodies. As part of an ongoing series with The Baltimore Banner, I am exploring Baltimore’s neighborhoods for its most iconic and interesting eats. Here are the spots I found while spending time in Highlandtown.
Charm City Table’s restaurant picks in Belvedere and Mid-Govans
Mid-Govans and Belvedere are adjacent neighborhoods along York Road in North Baltimore. Here you can find community and family-friendly dining establishments, some of the city’s best barbecue, and a food hall with sandwiches, smoothies and sweet treats. As part of a regular series for The Baltimore Banner, I am exploring Baltimore neighborhoods for their tastiest eateries. Here are the places I discovered in Mid-Govans and Belvedere. 529 E.
Charm City Table on crab cakes, farm-to-table and other great restaurants in Hamilton-Lauraville
Like many areas in Baltimore, the neighborhoods Hamilton and Lauraville are a hub where small businesses shape the culture of the community. Here is where some say one of the city’s best crab cakes are made. The Northeast Baltimore neighborhoods are also where you can find many farm-to-table dining experiences, a great cup of coffee and plenty of spots for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Charm City Table’s guide to best restaurants in Pigtown
Pigtown — or Washington Village — got its name in the 19th century from the pigs, imported from Midwestern farms, that were offloaded from trains and herded through its streets to nearby butcher shops and meat-packing plants. The neighborhood is located in the southwest area of the city and is home to many appetizing and affordable restaurants, bars and carryouts. As part of a regular series, I am writing about the most interesting restaurants in Baltimore neighborhoods.
Charm City Table’s guide to the best eats in Old Goucher and Charles North
Baltimore has over 250 neighborhoods, each with its own personality and flavor — including when it comes to the food scene. As a Baltimore food blogger, I read lots of friendly, yet earnest, online discourse between residents on the cuisine of these different neighborhoods. I’ve seen several debates on Twitter and Instagram about who has the best crabcakes, snowball stands or chicken boxes. It’s left me curious and wanting to dine and drink at some of the popular standouts and gems.
The best places for Instagram photos in Baltimore
As the creator of the Instagram account @charmcitytable, I highlight Baltimore’s food scene, creating content that sparks delight, beauty and an appetite for the city’s food spots. Through The Baltimore Banner’s Creatives in Residence program, I will expand this work by contributing curated lists on where to dine and social videos that tell the stories of Baltimore’s food spaces and the people behind them.
An MD student reflects on learning osteopathic manipulative medicine from a DO
This story was originally published on KevinMD and is reposted here with permission. It has been edited for The DO. In my first quarter of medical school, we learned the pulmonary exam. We were told to watch the patient’s breathing, feel for any asymmetries, use our hands to gauge resonance and listen to all lung fields with our stethoscopes. It didn’t seem too difficult. Our instructor demonstrated the exam on one of my classmates, and we were set loose with a checklist to practice on one another.
Match Day: Leaving behind my polished applicant identity and becoming a physician trainee
Simone Phillips | Education | March 17, 2021 On Friday morning, I will receive an email that tells me where I will go for residency. I have spent most of the last year preparing for this email. Over the summer, I completed my sub-internships where I hoped to impress members of my chosen field (psychiatry) and secure letters of recommendation.
A medical student learns to listen with her hands
In my first quarter of medical school, we learned the pulmonary exam. We were told to watch the patient’s breathing, feel for any asymmetries, use our hands to gauge resonance and listen to all lung fields with our stethoscopes. It didn’t seem too difficult. Our instructor demonstrated the exam on one of my classmates, and we were set loose with a checklist to practice on one another.
Can I belong to the medical profession without having to give up everything else?
I had spent the morning in the operating room, holding open the mouth of a young man while the resident physician attempted to stabilize the fractures in his jaw bone and lace wires between his upper and lower gums, much the way one would thread a shoelace between the sides of a sneaker.
Doctors experience PTSD every day
A long time ago, when I was interning in an emergency department, several ambulances arrived at once from the site of a bombing. They unloaded three victims plus a mass of assorted limbs. As I placed an endotracheal tube in one patient, the awfulness suddenly hit me: These people had probably been sitting peacefully at home only a half-hour earlier, and now they were a mass of gore. Overwhelmed, I froze for a moment. Then I thought, “Dude, this is why you’re here. It’s not about you.
Stakeholder learning for health sector reform in Lao PDR
Development organizations and academic institutions have expressed the need for increased research to guide the development and implementation of policies to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
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