The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

Today we're celebrating a huge milestone—200 episodes! Over the past four years, this podcast has shared countless stories, insights, and lessons from physicians and experts who've navigated the challenges of their careers. To commemorate this special episode, I'll be reflecting on the journey so far by sharing two pearls, two pitfalls, and two surprises that I've encountered while podcasting. Fro...

Today, we're discussing the crucial decision of investing in yourself—whether it's time, money, or energy. Many physicians feel uncertain or guilty about this, questioning if it's worth the risk. Dr. Bonnie Koo, dermatologist, master certified life coach, and founder of Wealthy Mom MD, joins us to share her journey from clinical practice to entrepreneurship and provide insights on when and how to...

Today we're exploring how you can strategically stand out as a candidate in a competitive nonclinical job market. With increasing numbers of physicians seeking to transition out of clinical roles, the job market has become more challenging. However, there are always opportunities available if you know how to position yourself effectively. In this episode, I'll share key strategies that can help yo...

In this week's episode, we're diving into the incredible world of artificial intelligence with a focus on how ChatGPT can assist you in your career journey. I'll walk you through practical ways to use ChatGPT to explore career options, craft compelling resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and even tackle challenging conversations. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of sta...

Today we're tackling a topic that keeps many physicians feeling stuck: nonclinical salaries. If you've ever felt trapped by your current income, uncertain about what nonclinical roles pay, or worried about taking a pay cut, this episode is for you. I'll break down the salary ranges for various nonclinical roles in sectors like pharma, medical writing, and public health. We'll also discuss the fact...

Today we're tackling a topic that's top of mind for many seasoned physicians: ageism and the opportunities available in the later stages of your career. Whether you're in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, this episode offers insights into navigating the job market and overcoming age-related challenges. I share perspectives from five experts, including recruiters and physicians who have successfully transi...

Today we're diving into a topic that generates a lot of interest in the physician community: teaching. I'm thrilled to have Dr. Melissa Wheeler, an anesthesiologist who transitioned to teaching anatomy and physiology at a community college because she wanted to pursue something that made her happy. Dr. Wheeler will share her journey from clinical practice to academia, the qualifications needed, wh...

For today's episode, we have a very special returning guest, Dr. Nneka Unachukwu, known fondly as Dr. Una. Dr. Una is a pediatrician, bestselling author, podcaster, speaker, serial entrepreneur, and founder of the EntreMD Business School, where she helps physicians build profitable businesses so they can live life and practice medicine on their own terms. She joins me to discuss the importance of...

Today you're in for a wild ride. My guest, pediatric emergency medicine physician Dr. Alison Curfman, shares her incredible story of how her desire to improve care for kids with complex medical conditions led her on a roller coaster journey in pursuit of her goal. Dr. Curfman's path to fulfilling her vision was not easy and had its share of setbacks. However, her refusal to give up led to the co-f...

Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of discussing career options and transitions, we're going to focus on the mindset piece. I'll be sharing a practice that can help set your mindset for the day: daily inspirational readings. These readings can come from various sources, whether it's a book you enjoy, a religious text, journaling, or meditation. I'll introduce you to four diffe...

Today we have a very special guest, Dr. Pooja, who faced tremendous challenges including being let go from two residency programs and facing a very dark period in her life. Despite these obstacles, she found her way forward to a career path where she is using her medical training in a way that she finds very fulfilling and affords her a great work-life balance. Let's delve into Dr. Pooja's story o...

Today we're tackling a huge challenge faced by many physicians: charting. Imagine finishing your workday without hours of charting hanging over you. Sounds impossible? For over 350 physicians and APPs, this dream has become a reality thanks to our special guest, Dr. Junaid Niazi. Dr. Niazi is an internist and pediatrician who has optimized his charting efficiency and now helps others do the same t...

In this episode, I dive into the real causes of procrastination, debunking the myth that it's just laziness. Through personal stories and relatable examples, we will explore how procrastination is often rooted in deeper emotional conflicts. I'll share a three-step strategy to help you overcome procrastination. By shifting from problem-focused thinking to possibility-based thinking, you can start t...

In today's episode, we'll explore how taking initiative and creating your own opportunities can transform your career. I'm thrilled to welcome our guest, Dr. Georgette Chekiri, a family medicine physician who has navigated a successful and unconventional career path. Dr. Chekiri's journey is a testament to the importance of transferable skills and being proactive. From her early career aspirations...

In this week's episode, we're diving into an exciting and fun topic with a physician mover and shaker, Dr. Nisha Mehta. Dr. Mehta is the founder of the very active Facebook group, Physician Side Gigs, and has created a vibrant community of over 111,000 members in this group. She is also a practicing radiologist, keynote speaker, physician community builder, and advocate whose work has been feature...

In this episode, we dive into unconventional career paths for physicians with Dr. Sylvie Stacy, author of "50 Nonclinical Careers for Physicians" and the newly released "50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for Physicians." Dr. Stacy shares her journey from traditional medicine to exploring various roles in both clinical and nonclinical settings. We discuss the diverse opportunities available, such...

Orthopedic trauma surgeon, Dr. Megan Brady, recounts her inspiring journey from burnout to fulfillment. Leaving behind a challenging work environment, Dr. Brady explored nonclinical career options before rediscovering her passion for patient care in a different type of surgical model. Despite facing gender biases and grappling with self-doubt, she learned the importance of setting boundaries and s...

In this episode, we explore the often overlooked yet critical topic of disability insurance for physicians. Dr. Stephanie Pearson shares her personal journey of facing a career-ending injury and the financial challenges it brought. We debunk common misconceptions surrounding disability coverage, stressing the importance of financial literacy and thorough policy review. Dr. Pearson provides valuabl...

Join me in this episode as I explore the intricacies of physician contract negotiations with Kyle Claussen, an experienced attorney specializing in healthcare law. We cover topics such as the art of negotiating without offending, when obtaining legal assistance is recommended,  and why doctors often leave money on the table. From salary negotiations to clauses about intellectual property and tail...

This week we are exploring Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) with Dr. Cesar Limjoco, a veteran in healthcare consulting and CDI. Dr. Limjoco shares his passion for aligning CDI efforts with the clinical truth for optimal patient care. You can expect to learn about job entry points for those of us at different levels of training, from recent graduates to IMGs to licensed clinicians. Discover h...

In this week's episode, Dr. Ramin Rafie is back to dive deeper into the realm of AI in healthcare. Together, we explore how physicians can seamlessly integrate AI into their careers, drawing inspiration from real-life examples of physicians already making waves in the field. From leveraging social media presence to collaborating with AI companies, Dr. Rafie sheds light on various avenues for physi...

Welcome to today's episode, where we embark on the first part of a two-part series on the fascinating world of artificial intelligence in healthcare with Dr. Ramin Rafie, a seasoned primary care physician who is sharing his expertise in this transformative landscape. Join us as we unravel the myriad of opportunities AI holds for physicians, providing both inspiration and invaluable insights to ign...

In this episode, we explore the journey of Dr. Danielle Torres, who faced the daunting decision of whether to pursue a traditional residency or forge a new path in a nonclinical role. At a crossroads between the familiar route of residency in psychiatry and the uncharted territories outside of clinical medicine, Dr. Torres shares her introspective choice to follow what truly makes her come alive....

In medicine, the path to fulfillment and success isn't linear or confined within the walls of traditional practice. This episode highlights the journey of Dr. Lanna Cheuck, who transitioned from a urologic surgeon into the founder of a leading medical aesthetics spa. Dr. Cheuck's story is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of passion beyond conventional boundaries....

If you're a physician dreaming of more flexibility in your career, then you're in for a treat. Today, we embark on a fascinating journey with Dr. Adria Schmedthorst, who traded in her chiropractic practice for a dynamic career in healthcare copywriting. Discover how she cracked the code to work-life balance, transitioning from long hours in healthcare to more time freedom and flexibility with her...