5 doctors, 5 career paths: What residents should consider

Choosing where to practice is one of the most defining decisions in a physician’s career—and one that training alone rarely answers. With the AMA’s new series, “Finding My Place in Medicine,” physicians open up to reflect on what influenced their personal decisions when choosing where to work—and what they wish they had known earlier. Each profile explores a physician’s journey to help guide your own path toward a fulfilling medical career.

Profiling physicians across private practice, academic centers, community hospitals, health systems and more, the entries in this series show how personal values, career mentors and patient needs can help shape a fulfilling path. Whether you are selecting your first role or reassessing the one you have, these stories can help you ask sharper questions, spot red flags and choose a setting where your skills and purpose align. 

Explore the first five profiles from the “Finding My Place in Medicine” series—and find practical wisdom you can use when transitioning to practice or considering a midcareer change-up.

1. 1. Dr. Abdelghani practices in Covington, Louisiana, with Ochsner Health and has been in practice for 13 years. Ochsner Health is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
   2. When it came to choosing to work at Ochsner Health, Dr. Abdelghani “was attracted to the organization’s outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality care, its investment in the latest technology and the stability of its hospital system. Leadership opportunities, an attractive compensation model and a physician-led structure were also important factors in my decision.”
2. 1. For five years, Dr. Alex has been practicing thoracic surgery at Rush University System for Health. The Chicago health system also is part of the AMA Health System Member Program.
   2. It was all about location for Dr. Alex when choosing to work at Rush. “I wanted a location that would not only be important for my career but my husband’s as well. Being in a major city afforded both of us that opportunity,” she told the AMA.
   3. “Proximity to our family and friends was another key decision point. Being close to parents, siblings and extended family provides emotional support, help with child care and a sense of community. For physicians who can work long and irregular hours (i.e. weekends), having family nearby is invaluable,” Dr. Alex said. “Just like anyone else, my husband and I have personal preferences and hobbies, so we wanted to be in a large city with access to activities that align with our interests.”
3. 1. Dr. Bhatnagar is in private practice at Frederick Primary Care Associates, Mid-Atlantic in Frederick, Maryland. Her practice is a member of Privia Health, which also is part of the AMA Health System Member Program.
   2. “Hospital systems were increasingly intruding on my practice of medicine by controlling my workflow and schedules—without providing clear information on quality metrics,” Dr. Bhatnagar explained. “The productivity bonuses were vague and subject to change at their discretion. I was initially concerned about joining private practice because maintaining physician autonomy is extremely important to me, so I asked questions about how much control I would retain.”
4. 1. In practice for 34 years, spent 28 years as a practicing ob-gyn and the past six years as a physician executive, currently serving as the chief physician executive for Advocate Health, which also is part of the AMA Health System Member Program. She started with Atrium Health, which is now part of Advocate Health.
   2. “During my residency, I was able to work not only with our faculty but also with the practices and physicians within the community. It became evident very early on that the culture they were developing was one where I knew I could thrive. People worked exceptionally well together and were always willing to lend a hand to help,” she said about choosing to work at Advocate Health.
5. 1. Dr. Tyroch is an owner of a solo practice called Intellimedicine in El Paso, Texas, and has been in practice for more than 30 years.
   2. She said that designing her own practice “was so exciting. It reminded me of when we built our home. Every single design detail is by your choice. Your imagination, vision and dreams become reality at this point. This was only the very beginning of the development process, which is continuous.” 

If you are looking for your first physician job after residency or fellowship, get your cheat sheet now from the AMA. In addition, the AMA Transitioning to Practice series has guidance and resources on deciding where to practice, negotiating an employment contract, managing work-life balance, and other essential tips about starting in practice—including in private practice.