The Silent Epidemic We Keep Overlooking and the Role of Human Connection in Healthcare Leadership

By Dr. Preeti Mistry

Very recently, I had the opportunity to share my story and my mission in front of hundreds of leaders in healthcare, individuals working across different modalities and spaces, all committed to one shared intention, helping to reduce human suffering.

And one of the most significant forms of suffering we are facing today is something we don’t talk about enough.

Loneliness.

Loneliness doesn’t necessarily mean being alone. It doesn’t necessarily mean being single.

In fact, it is often experienced by people who are surrounded by others, people they love, people they are close to, and yet they still don’t feel seen, heard, or understood.

I know this because I have experienced it myself at various points in my life, and I know many of you have experienced this as well. And it’s something that doesn’t quite get talked about enough.

Never underestimate how simple and how powerful it is to reach out to just one person and make a genuine connection. Not because they can do something for you, but simply because you want to know them. Because you enjoy their presence. Because you would like them in your life.

That alone is reason enough.

At this very conference where I was a speaker, I put this into practice and intentionally approached people to connect with at a time when the hustle and bustle of the networking session seemed to leave some of them standing alone, lost in their thoughts... and some of the greatest conversations arose from there.

And that is why one of my primary missions, as a certified & accredited life, relationship and self leadership coach, is to deepen human connection, and in doing so, begin to address the quiet but very real epidemic of loneliness we are facing today.

According to research highlighted in a U.S. Surgeon General advisory, loneliness can be as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. On the other hand, meaningful social connection can increase survival rates by up to 50 %.

This is not a small issue. This is a human one.

And often, it comes down to something much simpler than we think.

It is our presence with one another.

Not just when there is some special occasion, or when there is some special news to share.

But in the quiet, ordinary moments of everyday life.

Presence is a gift, one that costs very little, yet means everything.

And while we’re here, don’t forget to notice the people who reach out and stay alongside you when you go quiet, when you are moving through something difficult. Those are your people.

It’s interesting how many will show up when things are going well. But when things feel heavy, where are they?

Pay attention to that.

And also notice this, if you’ve been spending a lot of time “selfing” lately, see where you can practice a little more “othering.”

How can you genuinely be there for someone else? How can you give someone an opportunity without strings attached, even when there is nothing in it for you?

You never know what offering your presence, time or help can do for someone.

Because being of service to others is one of the most meaningful things we can do.

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My second mission as Founder and CEO of Best Self Forward LLC is centered on helping women in healthcare lead well from within, to find their voice, and to thrive in their relationships, both personally and professionally.

A large part of this mission comes from my own story.

If you would like to read more about that, I have shared it in a separate blog post on the time I first chose to set a boundary at work, a moment that changed everything for me.

One of the biggest challenges I see with women who are stepping into leadership is this:

They are constantly trying to prove themselves within systems that were not originally designed with them in mind.

Traditional leadership models tend to emphasize more rigid, often masculine coded traits such as productivity, performance, output, and dominance. While these qualities have their place, they are not the full picture of leadership.

What we often label as soft skills, like empathy, curiosity, transparency, trust building, collaboration, and creating psychological safety, are not secondary. They are essential.

In fact, these are the very qualities that I feel distinguish good leadership from excellent leadership. And many of these qualities come naturally to women. Studies show women often rank very high in emotional intelligence and relational awareness.

So stop doubting what you have to offer and bring to the table, because it’s literally the other half that’s been missing for a long time.

It’s not you that’s the problem, but rather the lens through which leadership has been defined. And perhaps it’s time we expand that definition.

Leadership is not just about authority or position. It is not something that only exists at the top. Leadership lives at every level.

It shows up in how you communicate. How you listen. How you create space for others. How you advocate, not just for yourself, but for better environments overall.

When we move away from rigid hierarchies and toward more open, transparent, and collaborative ways of working, we don’t just support individuals, we strengthen entire systems.

So don’t underestimate yourself. You already have what you need.

Stop waiting for permission. Stop playing small. Know your worth. Advocate for yourself. And remember, you are already enough.

And if this is something you find yourself struggling with, whether it’s finding your voice, navigating your relationships, or stepping more fully into the version of yourself you know is there, you don’t have to do it alone.

There is a simple, private way to begin noticing what may be getting in your way, especially on your hardest days. You can explore more here.

If you feel called, you are welcome to reach out, and I can share more. Sending you lots of love.