Research Collaborations MD Financial/Scotiabank Homewood Health Physician Family Media MedsHousing ROSC Box
Connection. Education. Advocacy.
 

Meet Hayley

Hayley Harlock is the founder of The Flipside Life (TFSL) and a champion of physician families. She is married to a vascular surgeon and a mom to three school-aged children. Hayley holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and previously practiced at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. 

After personally experiencing the gap in support available for physician families, Hayley founded The Flipside Life in 2019. Hayley's personal and professional experience, coupled with her natural ability to connect with others and her determination to improve the experience of all physician families, uniquely position her to lead the TFSL community. 

The Flipside Life community has grown exponentially since 2019, connecting physician spouses from all over Canada, the USA and beyond. When not working directly with the community, as a leader in physician family wellness, Hayley continues to raise awareness and lead important conversations with stakeholders and other community partners. Hayley has made appearances on numerous podcasts, local and national media, and her work has been published by the Canadian Medical Association and Physician Family Magazine.

Hayley is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. 

 
 

The Journey

The journey of a medical spouse can be long, isolating and unpredictable at times. It often involves many personal and family sacrifices. Like you, Hayley has lived through many of the unique challenges experienced by those brave enough to be in a relationship with a medical student, resident, practicing or retired physician. 

The idea of connecting the spouses and partners of physicians has been in Hayley's heart for many years. The opportunity for connection and community is essential in helping to ensure that physician families are thriving, not just surviving! 

TFSL supports and enhances the lives of physician families by providing opportunities for connection, education, events and advocacy.

Wherever you are on your #medspouse journey, you are not alone. Connect with us and join our community of physician families. We understand you. We are here to support you. And we can't wait to meet you! 

The Flipside Life (2).png

Our Mission

To foster meaningful connections and create an inclusive community that supports and champions the well-being of physician families throughout all stages of training and practice. 

Physician Families Play an Important Role.

Physicians support the health and well-being of our communities. As the spouses and partners of physicians, we understand that physician health and well-being is a family affair that starts at home. As an institution, medicine often does not recognize, include or support physician families as the important partners we are in this system. TFSL is committed to changing this by supporting physician families through connections, events, education, and advocacy.

When physician families are thriving and supported, the health and well-being of our physicians are strengthened- this makes providing exceptional, compassionate patient care both possible and sustainable. As communities and healthcare consumers, we are all positively impacted when physicians and their families are healthy and thriving. 

The Path to Change.

Through collaboration with community partners and stakeholders, TFSL is committed to championing the needs of physician families throughout medical training and the practice journey. By raising awareness at the institutional level, TFSL is helping to reframe the narrative on physician wellness to include recognition and support for physician families.