Welcome to The Flipside Life
The journey of a medical spouse can be long, isolating, and unpredictable at times. It often involves many personal and family sacrifices. The opportunity for connection and community is essential in helping physician families thrive at all stages of training, practice and into retirement.
The Flipside Life (TFSL) was born from a profound need for support and connection within the physician family community.
Founded in 2019 by Hayley Harlock, a registered social worker and physician spouse who personally experienced the unique challenges of being part of a medical family, TFSL was created to fill a significant gap in resources tailored to the specific and diverse needs of physician families.
Initially envisioned as an app to connect physician partners worldwide, the organization transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic into a thriving community where physician families could find meaningful support, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Since its inception, TFSL has grown exponentially, uniting physician spouses from across Canada, the USA, and beyond.
The Flipside Life prioritizes empowerment through connection, fostering a network where families can share their experiences and provide mutual support. TFSL also advocates for systemic change within the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources and a supportive culture for physician families.
Under Hayley's leadership, TFSL facilitates crucial conversations with community partners and raises awareness of the unique challenges faced by physician families.
The organization has gained visibility through numerous podcast appearances, local and national media coverage, and publications in respected outlets like the Canadian Medical Association and Physician Family Magazine.
Through The Flipside Life, the aim is to create a movement championing the well-being of physician families and empowering them to thrive at every stage of their journey.
Meet Hayley
Hayley Harlock is the founder of The Flipside Life, and a passionate advocate for physician families navigating the complexities of medical life.
Married to a vascular surgeon and a mother of three children, Hayley intimately understands the unique challenges faced by physician families.
She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and gained valuable clinical experience from her time at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
As a leader in physician family wellness, Hayley is committed to raising awareness and facilitating critical conversations with community partners. Her work has garnered recognition, leading to appearances on various podcasts and local and national media outlets.
Hayley is currently collaborating on two projects at McMaster University: the “UnWRaP Study: Understanding the Well-being of Residents and Partners” and its follow-up, the “Co-WRaP Study: Co-Creating Solutions to Enhance the Well-being of Residents and Partners.”
Her commitment to education has also earned her the 2024 Clerkship Preceptor Teaching Award (non-MD) for Professional Competencies from McMaster University, where she holds a Lecturer (Adjunct) faculty appointment in the Department of Surgery.