S03EP03: Physicians in Politics with Dr. Bryan & Dr. Jana Hambley
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD · Sharon L. Stein, MD
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Show Notes
What happens when a surgeon and a hematologist-oncologist decide to take their commitment to public health from the bedside to the ballot box?
In this episode, Dr. Sharon Stein is joined by trauma surgeon Jana Hambley, MD, and her husband, Bryan Hambley, MD, a leukemia specialist currently running for Secretary of State of Ohio. From their early days meeting in freshman chemistry at Notre Dame to navigating residency as a married couple, the Hambleys share how a shared passion for community service evolved into a statewide political campaign.
This isn't a conversation about politics—it's about the unique perspective physicians bring to leadership, the challenges of raising a family while one parent is on the road, and why "intentionality" is the secret weapon for successfully managing it all.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The "Doctor-Politician" Trend: Why more physicians are running for office (including recent guests like Dr. Brian Williams) and how seeing systemic flaws like medical bankruptcy and gun violence up close drives the desire for legislative change.
- The Secretary of State’s Role: Demystifying a powerful office. Bryan explains how this position influences everything from independent redistricting commissions to the "intentional confusion" found in ballot language.
- The "Village" Model: Jana opens up about the logistical "dance" of being a surgical mom while her husband travels 4-5 nights a week. They discuss the power of community, from live-in help to local volunteers who open their homes on the campaign trail.
- The Anatomy of a Ballot: Why medical consent forms are written at a 5th-grade reading level, but ballot initiatives are often written in complex legalese designed to discourage voters.
- Life Lessons for the Kids: What the Hambley children are learning about ambition, service, and the fact that "fighting for what you love" sometimes means sacrifice.
- A Bipartisan Hope: Bryan shares his reflections from 13 months on the road, staying in farmhouses across Ohio, and why he firmly believes that—despite national headlines—the American people are better than the current political climate suggests.
About the Guests:
Bryan Hambley, MD is a hematologist-oncologist at the University of Cincinnati and a 2026 candidate for Ohio Secretary of State. Jana Hambley, MD is a surgeon on faculty at the University of Cincinnati and a former resident of Dr. Stein’s.
Key Takeaway for Listeners:
"Ambition needs to be married to a vision that’s more than someone’s personal ambition. It has to be ambition for a system, a hospital, or a state." — Dr. Bryan Hambley
Connect with the Hambleys:
- Social Media:@hambleyforohio
Join the Conversation: Are you a physician considering a move into advocacy? Reach out on LinkedIn and share your story.