Some physicians have a clear moment when they know they’re done with clinical practice. A good friend of mine left emergency medicine just five years after residency—she simply knew it was time. There was no doubt, no wavering. She saw the road ahead, and it wasn’t one she wanted to keep traveling. When I said my ego loved the job, one of her comments resonated deeply: “But there’s more to life than that.”
I was different. I used to joke that I would die at 85, running a trauma in bed three. I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else. Medicine was my identity, my calling. But little did I know that if I had stayed on my path, that fate might have come much sooner than I expected.
Not everyone should—or even wants to—leave clinical medicine. And frankly, we can’t all leave. The world needs skilled, compassionate physicians to save lives and care for patients. But we need them to do it because they want to—not just because they have loans to pay or a mortgage hanging over them. Or worse, because they don’t know what else they’d do.
We need doctors who show up with the same energy and drive you had when you were applying to become a doctor, the kind of excitement that makes the long hours, the stress, the burden of student loans, and the responsibility worth it.
Look back at your photos—I know you’ve got one. The one where you’re a medical student, beaming, in your brand-new white coat. Or the picture of you clutching your acceptance letter, knowing that you were going to be a doctor. Maybe it’s the snapshot from Match Day, full of excitement and relief.
Maybe you shared that moment with your spouse, your family, or friends who supported you through the grueling years of medical school. Maybe you were alone, taking a deep breath, letting the joy settle in. Either way, those moments were real. That passion, that drive—it was real. You didn’t imagine it.
What if you could re-create that feeling in your day-to-day work—not just at the beginning, but five, 10, or even 20 years down the line?
That’s the real question. Because leaving clinical practice isn’t always the answer. Burnout, frustration, and exhaustion don’t always mean you need to walk away completely. Sometimes, it’s about redefining your career on your terms—finding a way to bring back that passion, that sense of purpose.
And if you do decide it’s time to step away, make sure it’s a decision you don’t make alone. Talk to people who have been there. Find mentors, peers, or coaches who can help you see possibilities beyond exhaustion.
You owe it to yourself to chase a career that lights you up—not just one that pays the bills. Whether that’s inside or outside of medicine, the goal is the same: to find fulfillment in the work you do every day.
Medicine may be a calling, as it is for me, but your life is also calling. It’s time to answer.
Maureen Gibbons has transitioned from a fulfilling career in emergency medicine to one where her skills, training, and passion for teaching yield unparalleled returns—physically, emotionally, and financially.
With over 25 years of mentoring experience across her roles as an athletic trainer, triathlon coach, sports nutritionist, and physician, Maureen founded Active Medical Solutions, a lifestyle medical practice. She also developed a simple yet powerful EMR designed for asynchronous care.
Dr. Moe’s own journey—marked by both successes and setbacks—has created a space for her to guide physicians and other high-level professionals toward improved health and transformative career paths.
She can be reached on TikTok, X @DrMoeGibbons, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and her website, Dr. Moe Coaching.
