This tragedy should never have happened. I wish that Dr. Lorna Breen had reached out for support to help her navigate the daily horrors that she encountered in the COVID-19 environment. I did not evaluate or treat Dr. Breen but feel/hope that this dedicated and accomplished woman could have been helped.

It is important to realize that physicians are trained to be in charge, have the answers and to remain stoic. The loss of confidence that doctors are used to possessing in concert with feeling unable to express intense doubts and fears can cause tremendous insecurity and self-doubt. Such emotions reach to the core of a doctor's identity. In the case of Dr. Lorna Breen, they proved to be fatal.