Championing and Supporting Physician Families to Thrive
A supportive and inclusive community for physician families providing connection, resources, and advocacy to help you navigate the unique challenges of life in medicine at all stages of training and practice.
Welcome to the Flipside Life
The journey of a physician spouse or partner can be long, isolating, and unpredictable, often requiring immense personal and family sacrifice. Meaningful connection and community are essential in helping physician families thrive at every stage—through training, practice, and into retirement.
The Flipside Life (TFSL) was created to fill this critical need, offering a space where physician spouses and partners can find support, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging.
Founded in 2019 by Hayley Harlock, a registered social worker and physician spouse, TFSL has grown into a vibrant community that unites physician families across Canada, the USA, and beyond.
The Flipside Life was born from a profound need for support and connection within the physician family community.
founder, hayley harlock
connecting physician families since 2019
Advocacy & Education
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What We Do
TFSL raises awareness about the impact of medical training and the healthcare system on physician families through media, articles, and collaborations with medical education providers and community partners. TFSL also offer consultations, resource toolkits, and presentations to help institutions and organizations better support physician families.
Connection
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TFSL connects physician partners through virtual Connect Calls and other special in-person and virtual events.
TFSL also connects the community via social media platforms where physician spouses and partners can find mentorship, resources and friendship.
1:1 Support
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Work one-on-one with Founder, Hayley Harlock in personalized sessions perfect for physician partners and physicians who feel stuck personally or professionally, as well as those looking to strengthen their most important relationships. The focus is on thriving, not just surviving!
Julie Petrera
Physician Spouse
"TFSL is more than a community—it’s a lifeline for spouses and partners of medical students and physicians living on the flipside of the white coat.
"I found Hayley and The Flipside Life (TFSL) community through social media during the pandemic, at a time when I was lacking connection and support. Since then, I’ve attended weekly Connect Calls and other in-person and virtual TFSL events that have made a meaningful difference in my life.
TFSL fills a critical gap in medicine by providing advocacy, connection, and unwavering support. In a world that often overlooks us, TFSL ensures we feel seen, validated, and understood. It’s a space where we find strength in shared experiences and a network of people who just get it. We’re not navigating this journey alone—we’re in it together.”
Michael Greb, Director and Head, Partnerships, MD Financial Management
"TFSL is a great organization to work with to cultivate connections within the physician family member community.
MD and Scotiabank chose to partner with the Flipside Life (TFSL) because of the support that they bring
to the physician family community, especially physician partners and spouses. Working closely with TFSL
has strengthened our understanding of the physician family community, adding valuable input to the
way we serve our clients."
Dr. Catharine Munn, M.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C), Assistant Dean, Resident Affairs
McMaster University
“Hayley brings all of her skills, knowledge and compassion to the table every time, whether her audience is physicians, medical learners, physician partners or students.
She is a connector – celebrating everyone’s strengths and bringing them together to solve problems, learn, create and support one another. Hayley brings her professional skills, as a social worker, facilitator and teacher, together with her personal skills, as a reflective, warm, and nurturing person, to every encounter and experience. Her ability to ask a good question, to observe and learn from others, and her tremendous communication and story-telling skills, allow her to share her wisdom in helpful, generous and powerful ways. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with Hayley over the years in teaching and research endeavours. Her grit and commitment to physician partners and physician well-being means that there’s always more challenges on the horizon and work to be done, and she’ll bring you along on the journey.”
Connect Call Membership
TFSL Connect Calls are held on Zoom with daytime and evening sessions (1:00-2:00pm EST on the 1st Tuesday of the month and every Wednesday 9-10pm EST) in 2025.
Calls are confidential and no sign-up is required. All spouses and partners of medical students and physicians are welcome to join.
Membership gives you unlimited access to both daytime and evening calls, as well as complimentary access to two exclusive TFSL virtual experiences featuring guest speakers and a 10% discount on any in-person TFSL events per membership year.
Connection. Support. Mentorship. Friendship.
Upcoming Events
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