Today’s episode is a powerful conversation about identity, loss, and rediscovery. I’m joined by Dr. John Fondran, a colorectal surgeon whose career ultimately came to an end due to severe arthritis in his hands and feet—a condition he had long been managing, but whose impact he struggled to fully accept.

Dr. Fondran takes us through the difficult process of stepping away from surgery—not by choice, but by necessity—and how he confronted the emotional weight of no longer being able to do what he loved. We explore the dark period that followed, the impact on his identity, and how he ultimately found healing and purpose in a new role in clinical informatics.

You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode223

In this episode we’re talking about:

• What it’s like to lose your surgical career due to physical limitations
• The emotional toll of walking away from a deeply ingrained identity
• How Dr. Fondran navigated depression, denial, and a major transition
• The importance of support systems, therapy, and self-care in recovery
• What clinical informatics is and how it allowed him to stay in medicine
• How physicians can still see themselves as “healers” after leaving patient care
• Advice for others facing forced or voluntary career transitions

Links for this episode:

LinkedIn for Physicians Course - Would you rather clean out your garage or attic than “put yourself out there” and network? No worries! My LinkedIn course is geared to make networking doable and fun. I will show you how to connect with people who can be helpful for your career, what to put in your messages, and how to apply strategically for the job you really want. You can learn more about this course and get a sneak peek inside right HERE.

Dr. Fondran LinkedIn

Episode #61: Coping with anxiety as a new attending

If you are curious about expert witness work and whether it might be a good fit for you, this episode offers valuable insights.

I’m joined by Dr. Amy Fogelman, an internist and founder of High Rock Experts and High Rock Academy. Amy shares her journey into expert witness work and breaks down what it takes to get started, including qualifications, mindset shifts, compensation, and common concerns—like testifying against another physician. We also discuss how her program helps physicians build a rewarding and flexible side gig in the legal space.

You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:

www.doctorscrossing.com/episode222

• What expert witness work involves and how to get started
• Whether you need to be board-certified or clinically active
• The difference between medical malpractice and personal injury cases
• Why testifying against another physician is not always what it seems
• Ways to niche down and attract your ideal cases
• How to avoid common beginner mistakes and stand out to attorneys
• An overview of Dr. Fogelman’s expert witness course and what it includes

https://highrockexperts.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amyfogelmanmd

https://www.facebook.com/amyfogelmanmd

Thinking about expert witness work? Dr. Amy Fogelman’s course is a fantastic way to turn your clinical experience into a new, rewarding opportunity. I’ve had a chance to review the program and I highly recommend it!

👉 Use the code HEATHER at checkout for 5% off her program:
Explore the Course & Enroll Here

Want to chat with Dr. Fogelman directly to see if her course is a good fit?
Book a Discovery Call with Dr. Fogelman

🎁 Bonus: When you enroll in the course through my link above, you’ll also receive access to my LinkedIn for Physicians course—absolutely free!

💻 Just interested in mastering LinkedIn on its own?Check out the LinkedIn for Physicians Course

If you are looking for a flexible, meaningful role that does not require board certification or recent clinical practice, you will not want to miss today’s episode.

Today, I am joined by Dr. Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, Chief Medical Officer at the Cleveland Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Dr. Nsiah-Kumi shares what it is like to work as a MEPS physician — a rewarding opportunity to assess the medical readiness of military recruits while enjoying flexible hours, no insurance billing, and part-time options. We explore who is qualified for this work, what a typical day looks like, compensation considerations, and how physicians can get started in this unique and impactful role.

• What MEPS physicians do and why their role is so important.
• Who qualifies for MEPS physician roles — including licensing and training details.
• The day-to-day responsibilities of working at a MEPS station.
• The flexible, PRN structure for independent contractors.
• How to find MEPS opportunities and begin the application process.
• Compensation structure and insurance coverage considerations.
• Dr. Nsiah-Kumi’s personal story of pivoting to this work after burnout.

Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, MD, MPH - LinkedIn

Chenega - Contractor Company for MEPS positions
https://www.chenega.com/

Mr. Ronald Knight - Recruiter for Chenega MEPS positions
Ronald.Knight@chenega.com

Resume Kit with New AI video - 20% for one week.

I’m excited to announce a brand-new addition! I’ve just added a bonus video that shows you how to use ChatGPT and artificial intelligence to enhance your résumé and cover letter. This new lesson gives you practical tips for customizing your materials to job descriptions and using AI as a powerful assistant in your job search.

To celebrate this new addition, you can get 20% off the Resume Kit for the next 10 days, until June 10th, 2025 at midnight. Just use the code RESUMEHELP at checkout.

This week, we explore what happens when your specialty no longer feels like the right fit. My guest, Dr. Edio Zampaglione, began as an OB-GYN but found the corporate shift in medicine limiting. He shares his transition from private practice to a thriving career in medical affairs, including how he entered pharma without prior industry experience. We discuss key moments that led him to leave patient care and what a medical affairs career entails. If you're considering nonclinical options, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice.

You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here:

www.doctorscrossing.com/episode219

• What to do when your chosen specialty no longer feels right.
• The challenges of private practice and the shift toward a corporate model.
• How to break into the pharmaceutical industry without prior experience.
• The day-to-day responsibilities of a medical affairs physician.
• Steps to explore opportunities in pharma, including networking and working with recruiters.
• Insights into compensation, career growth, and job satisfaction in medical affairs.

LinkedIn for Physicians Course

This fun course shows you how to create a stand-out profile on LinkedIn and use the powerful features to advance your career goals. The short video lessons guide you step-by-step on how to grow your connections, network successfully, and search for and apply to jobs. Included are cheat sheets for each lesson, examples of physician profiles, and a bonus PDF on how to rock your informational interviews.

Pharma Insider's Guide - Get an overview of the different areas for physicians in pharma as well as tips to start building your platform to make a transition.

Pharma Podcast Episode List - Curious if a career in pharma is right for you? We’ve made it easy to explore! Download our free list of all Doctor’s Crossing Podcast episodes related to pharma and gain valuable insights from physicians who have successfully made the transition. Learn about different roles, salary expectations, required skills, and how to get started—so you can decide if pharma is the right path for you.

If your medical career is putting a strain on your relationship, you’re not alone. Long hours, endless charting, and the emotional toll of medicine can create disconnection and tension at home. Whether your partner feels neglected, you're struggling with financial disparities, or you're facing difficult conversations, these challenges can feel overwhelming. Today we are joined by Sydney Ashland, a highly respected relationship and transformation coach with over 25 years of experience working with physicians. In this episode, we explore real-life scenarios—Dear Abby style—to address the struggles many physician couples face and how to strengthen communication, navigate career shifts, and build a more connected, fulfilling relationship.

• The impact of long work hours and career stress on relationships.
• How financial dynamics can shift power and create tension.
• Strategies for improving communication and reconnecting with your partner.
• Navigating career transitions while maintaining a strong relationship.
• Practical steps to break unhealthy cycles and foster emotional connection.
• Advice for single physicians seeking meaningful relationships (preview of Episode 220).

ihttps://sydneyashland.com/

https://sydneyashland.com/physician-business-coaching-and-consulting/

https://www.amyporterfield.com/2025/01/748/

https://kevinmd.com/2018/01/top-10-lies-doctors-tell.html

https://doctorscrossing.com/19/

Books:

Why Mars and Venus Collide: Improving relationships by Understanding How Men and Women Cope Differently With Stress. By John Gray (also available in audio CD).

The Seven Principles for Making A Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert. By John Gottman.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

Attached – The New Science of Attachment – How it Can Help You Find And Keep Love. By Amir Levine and Rachel Heller.

Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types by David Keirse

Today, we explore what happens when you follow your own path—even if it means leaving medicine. My guest, Dr. Maanas Samant, is now the CMIO of a healthcare and fintech company, but his journey into medicine began as a way to please his family. Growing up in a family of physicians, it was the expected path—yet his real passion was always tech.

In this episode, we talk about the question that changed everything, his pivot from internship to consulting at Accenture, the types of projects physicians work on, and what led him into the tech world. If you're considering a career change or craving something new, Dr. Samant’s story is full of insight and inspiration.

• Why Dr. Samant pursued medicine despite knowing his passion was in technology.
• The turning point that made him question whether he wanted to be a doctor.
• How he transitioned from medical training into consulting at Accenture.
• The types of projects physicians can work on in consulting.
• How to reframe your skills and present yourself for nonclinical roles.
• The benefits and challenges of working in healthcare consulting.
• Why networking and positioning yourself as a valuable asset are key to career transitions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdsamant

www.ionixxtech.com

LinkedIn for Physicians Course - Would you rather clean out your garage or attic than “put yourself out there” and network? No worries! My LinkedIn course is geared to make networking doable and fun. I will show you how to connect with people who can be helpful for your career, what to put in your messages, and how to apply strategically for the job you really want. You can learn more about this course and get a sneak peek inside right HERE.

Welcome to Episode 216 of the Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem podcast! Today, we’re tackling a major concern for physicians considering career changes—finances. Whether you’re stepping away from clinical work, reducing shifts, or exploring entrepreneurship, financial uncertainty can be daunting.

Joining us is Dr. Jim Dahle, emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor, a top financial education platform for doctors. He shares key strategies for financial independence, career transitions, and smart money decisions. Dr. Dahle also reflects on a life-altering climbing accident that shaped his perspective on financial planning and risk-taking.

• Why financial freedom is key to making career transitions with confidence.
• The importance of early financial planning and getting your “financial ducks in a row.”
• How to determine how much money you need to retire.
• Ways to balance career changes with financial stability.
• The emotional side of financial decision-making and overcoming limiting beliefs.
• Tips for discussing financial changes with a spouse or partner.

www.whitecoatinvestor.com

Episode #196 What Do Nonclinical Jobs Actually Pay?

Hero’s Of My Life Part 1 - Dr. Jim Dahle’s story of his fall on the Grand Tetons

Heros Of My Life Part 2

Physician Transition Starter Kit - A “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. This 25-page guide answers many of your questions about career transition, nonclinical options, and how to just get started.