Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

Advocate for Patients | Compass for Colleagues | Menopause Navigator

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- ABOUT -

Category(ies): Internal Medicine | Lifestyle Medicine | Physician

Susan brings three decades of medical wisdom and a lifetime of curiosity to every conversation. As an internal medicine physician with over 30 years of clinical experience, she has witnessed the full spectrum of human experience: the fragility and resilience, the fear and hope, the moments that break us open, and the connections that hold us together.

In 2021, Susan stepped away from direct patient care to expand her impact through myMDadvocate, a virtual consultation service that serves as a bridge between patients and the often-complex healthcare system. As a physician consultant, healthcare navigator, and medical advocate, she helps people navigate everything from referral advocacy to chronic condition management, from aging gracefully to supporting caregivers through their most challenging moments.

Her passion for supporting women through life transitions led to the creation of MenopauseMenu, a comprehensive website resource offering evidence-based information and holistic support. This work inspired her 2023 book, The Menopause Menu, an all-in-one guide that transforms medical complexity into accessible wisdom.

Susan embodies the intersection of medicine and art, science and humanity, individual stories and universal truths. In that spirit, she launched a virtual, live, talk show, Voices With Vigor, in 2025, hosting remarkable guests with global connections. She believes in the power of genuine conversation to illuminate what matters most. “I wish to share my voice with vigor… with all who are curious.”

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Advocate for Patients | Compass for Colleagues | Menopause Navigator

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

Advocate for Patients | Compass for Colleagues | Menopause Navigator

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Insurance Accepted

Patient-pay, but able to generate a “superbill” for patients to self-submit to non-Medicare insurance (out of network) for potential reimbursement.

Lecture(s)

The Psychology of Menopause Transitions

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD lectures about the psychological changes associated with peri/menopause including relationship, identity and life changes, body image challenges, and the psychological impacts of loss of reproduction.

What I’ve learned From Running a Weight Management & Wellness Program for 7 Years

Susan Baumgaertel, MD shares a personalized approach to weight management & how weight loss can be a “side effect” of improved wellness!

Speaking

Speaker: Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

Dr. Baumgaertel draws creatively from her extensive portfolio career, bringing her medical expertise and passion to every audience.

PODCAST OR YOUTUBE

Youtube Channel: Dr. Susan Baumgaertel

If you are approaching midlife or are anticipating the senior years ahead, Dr. Baumgaertel will give you tips on successfully navigating your health journey!

Book(s) or Blog

Book: The Menopause Menu

“The Menopause Menu” is an all-in-one giftbook, medical guide, and recipe book for navigating menopause!

Blog: MenopauseMenu

MenopauseMenu is a community hub for all people to find physical and emotional support on the journey toward, into and beyond menopause.

My SoMeDocs Content

Weaving the Tapestry of Midlife: Dr. Susan Baumgaertel on Advocacy, Awareness, and Empowerment

From her book The Menopause Menu to her upcoming talk at #SoMeDocsMenopause, Dr. Susan Baumgaertel challenges taboos, debunks misconceptions, and emphasizes the importance of active listening in menopause care.

How Do You Share Your Work?

First-time author Susan Baumgaertel, MD, shares her open mic experience from the day before Thanksgiving.

Serving up a Menopause Menu Near You: Dr. Susan Baumgaertel

Dr. Susan Baumgaertel is a physician, mother, author, and patient advocate. She entertained us in a spotlight interview.

The Importance of the Human-Human Connection in Healthcare

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD covets the human-human connection after a technology glitch when getting her own blood drawn.

The Magic of Human Connections

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD explains why we all need to connect with others–we need to share our stories–we need to be human.

Dr. Susan Baumgaertel's series: Navigating Your Health

Episode 8: I Feel Stuck with my Medical Issues

In this final episode of Navigating Your Health with myMDadvocate, learn four concrete ways you can reclaim control of your medical journey.

Finding Inner Courage from a Bridge

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD shares a personal narrative of an adventurous walk she took in British Columbia, and about overcoming the challenge.

Art is Part of Medicine and Caring for People. It is My Truth.

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD FACP became a physician to blend art and science together to fully embrace and care for the human experience.

The Pandemic: The Ultimate Catalyst for Shifting My Medical Career

Dr. Susan Baumgaertel revisits a personal essay from May of 2021 about her career shift in light of the COVID-19 pandemic – poignant, intimate, and from the heart.

Harmed by the Electronic Medical Record

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD shares an anecdotal personal story (she’s a physician patient) about harmful aspects of the Electronic Medical Record.

Episode 7: I Need Help With Weight Management

Dr. Baumgaertel gives an introduction to the full lecture she gave in December 2022 entitled “What I’ve Learned from Running a Weight Management & Wellness Program for 7 Years.”

Episode 6: Am I in Menopause?

Dr. Baumgaertel reviews definitions for different menopausal stages, clarifies how to understand the early signs of menopause, and gives some great tips on things to pay attention to.

Episode 5: I Have Cancer, Now What?

Dr. Baumgaertel talks about identifying personal needs early, having a multidisciplinary team, and shares a poignant poem from a cancer survivor.

A Personal Retrospective in Three Parts

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD shares a series of three short vignettes involving emotions and circumstance, fitting for the changing of seasons and passing of time.

Episode 4: I Want to Age With Intent

Dr. Baumgaertel reviews the various types of aging, and shares her Top Ten ways to age with intent.

Episode 3: I Need Caregiver Support

Dr. Baumgaertel dives deep into the layers of support for caregivers, and explains her new acronym DAIS: Delegate, Ask, Identify, and Set boundaries.

How to Swallow a Pill

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD FACP shares tips & tricks for how to swallow prescription medications, over-the-counter pills, vitamins and supplements.

Episode 2: What is My Diagnosis?

There are many complexities in securing a medical diagnosis, a journey that is too often compounded by our current healthcare climate.

Episode 1: I Can’t Find a PCP!

Finding quality primary medical care can often be a daunting process, but it is of vital importance to our physical and mental well-being.

Introduction: Navigating your Health with myMDadvocate

A brief introduction to an 8 episode series aiming to demystify how to approach health care with the virtual help of Dr. Baumgaertel.

Theresa Has Grit!

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD explains that October is World Menopause Month, and this story contributes to the celebration of all who have gone through menopause.

The Power of a Diagnosis

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD writes that in a world of social media campaigns, having a diagnosis matters. Unfortunately, the impact of a lack of diagnosis reaches far and wide too.

The Hidden World of Chronic Disease

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD explains how chronic disease can often manifest without any external visual signs – an analogy to the menopausal journey!

Connectivity

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD: We are all connected – let’s use this power to rise above the individual and collective challenges of our current times.

Throwing

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD, shares a personal story about trying new things, taught by three professional athletes in baseball, football and ultimate frisbee.

The True Art of Medicine

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD shares special and unexpected personal story about the art of medicine, our human connections, and the art all around us in nature.

Opportunity Knocks

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD shares a story that helps us redefine “exercise” and think about it more as “movement” that can be a valuable experience, fun, and even inspiring.

COVID Kindness

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD knows it’s rare to see the words “COVID” and “kindness” next to each other. Her story is less a story about COVID and more one about the human touch.

Please Stop Saying ‘Provider’!

Susan J Baumgaertel, MD, writes that patients deserve to know who’s caring for them, because today, they may not actually know.

My Website

You can find more of me here in my own online space.

My Website

Inquiries

Business inquiries only please: journalists looking for quotes, businesses looking for advisors/consultants, podcasts looking for guests, or events looking for speakers. Be sure to include your best contact details so they may easily get back to you. NO MEDICAL ADVICE OR INQUIRIES please.

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