When service doesn't mean another certification

Doctors are born to serve. We say yes to the late shifts, cover for colleagues, sign up for the committee, and go the extra mile for our patients.

Somewhere along the way, that instinct to serve often mutates into something sneakier: The belief that we must constantly prove our worth through more letters behind our name.

I’ve seen it repeatedly. Physicians burned out in their clinical roles start looking for a way out. But instead of building something based on the wisdom they’ve earned over years of practice, they immediately start Googling, “What certification do I need to become a _____?”

The answer is usually: none.

Certifications are tools, not tickets. They can give structure and confidence when you’re stepping into a new space. But they become a delay tactic. A socially acceptable way to keep hiding in perceived safety instead of offering something real to the world.

When I left the ER, I didn’t go hunting for another piece of paper. I just started helping. One patient at a time. Then one colleague. I didn’t have a business plan or a grand strategy. I simply answered the questions people were already asking me. It grew from there. I eventually got board-certified in obesity medicine and will sit for lifestyle boards—for me, not to prove.

Somewhere along the way, I realized something that changed how I thought about service: Service doesn’t mean sacrifice. And it definitely doesn’t mean self-erasure. It means showing up where you’re most needed, which may not be where you’re most credentialed.

I talk to physicians every week who want more time, more purpose, more freedom. And the first thing they ask is, “Should I get certified as a coach?” or “Should I go back to school for a degree in XYZ?” I tell them: maybe. But not yet. First, get clear on who you want to serve, what you already know, and what real-life value you can offer today.

We don’t need more degrees to prove we care. We need more doctors who are willing to step into real conversations. Doctors who understand that their lived experience is enough to start. Not perfect. Just enough.

If you’re reading this wondering whether you need that next certification before you launch your side gig or start helping people in a new way, consider this your permission slip: You don’t.

You’ve already spent a lifetime building credibility. Your stories, your scars, and your solutions are your service. Don’t let another course delay the work you were born to do.

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.