Episode #21: A Surgeon Faces Retirement and Finds the Way Forward

It’s never too soon to start thinking about retirement! Medicine is not just a career; it can be one’s identity. How do you face retirement and figure out if you still want to work some? What’s possible? Our guest is an orthopedic surgeon who faced retirement after 25 years of practice and found new ways to still earn income, help others, and enjoy a new chapter in her life. Even if you’re not close to retirement, this episode can help you consider your own situation and take charge of your career path.

In this episode we’re talking about:

What it’s like to face retirement
Things to consider when approaching retirement
One way to still keep a foot in the clinical door
How networking can play a role in finding opportunities
The interesting work and volunteering this surgeon is doing now
Why it’s never too early to think about your retirement

Links for this episode:

American Corporate Partners (ACP) an organization that helps veterans and their spouses find new careers. Dr. Zimmermann volunteers here.
Physician Retirement – Why it’s hard for doctors to retire. An article in Medical Economics.

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Heather Fork

5 Comments

mers on March 20, 2021 at 10:29 am

this is new and interesting thing to heard unique article

Reply
Dr. Jerry Wehr on March 22, 2021 at 7:38 pm

Thanks Dr. Fork and Dr. Zimmermann for your timely and extremely helpful podcast. With 30% of USA physicians over 60 y/o and with many life changes in the pandemic, many of our plans as physicians near retirement have suddenly and drastically changed. Your pragmatic wisdom and doable insights are just the right “shot in the arm” to give me a boost during my late career crossroads!

Reply
- Heather Fork on March 23, 2021 at 12:28 am
  
  Thank you Dr. Wehr for listening to the interview and taking the time to comment. I’m so glad Dr. Zimmermann’s story and experience were helpful and gave you some motivation for going forward from your own crossroads. Thank you also for the information about the percentage of physicians over 60. COVID has certainly caused a lot of physicians – both young and old, to reexamine how their medical careers. Please keep us posted on where the path takes you!
  
  Reply
Carl Greer on March 27, 2021 at 2:11 pm

Dr. Zimmerman really painted a picture how physicians can transition to do meaningful work, make a little cash, and still have a time to enjoy their efforts. It was inspiring to hear her courage and success.

Reply
- Heather Fork on March 27, 2021 at 5:07 pm
  
  Thank you Carl! I really loved how Dr. Zimmermann shared her story with the arc of navigating through a tough time to come out much better on the other side. It’s more than just mere coincidence I believe when we have what seems like a negative experience but it ends up being a saving grace in a variety of ways. We can’t see the bigger picture at the time, but it does get revealed to us and the new view can be quite inspiring. Thanks again!
  
  Reply

"Heather’s approach was great! She would listen to me and helped me appreciate who I am."

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Family Medicine

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Family Medicine

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Anesthesiologist

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OB/Gyn physician

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Papillion, NE

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- Sue Zimmermann, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon

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Pathologist

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Colorectal Surgeon

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Emergency Medicine Physician

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Family Physician

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Endocrinologist and Life Coach

"Heather was my source of hope during a time when I felt stuck and confused. She gave me the permission and confidence to reach higher than I believed I could."

After graduating from residency and starting a family, I lost sight of why I became a physician. I struggled to convince myself to stay in a career that was clearly the wrong fit for me and my family. My anxiety about work was at an all-time high when I reached out to Heather. She provided something that my mentors, friends, and family could not – rather than just offering career advice, she changed the way I think about my life so that I could understand how my career would fit into it. I realized I wasn’t ready to give up on medicine and eventually found a job in academic medicine. I finally feel that excitement for medicine that I used to feel when I was in training. More importantly, I feel like I can be the role model to my young daughter who may one day also face similar challenges between career and family. Thank you, Heather, for all your kindness, support, and skillful coaching! The experience was life-changing!

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Internal Medicine Physician

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Family Medicine

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I had been a practicing Internist for 20 years when I reached a point when I needed to make a serious change in my career path. While I enjoyed seeing patients, I was not satisfied with my life-work balance. My job was taking me away from my family and left me little time and energy to do other things that are important and meaningful to me. I came across Dr. Fork's podcast; The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast, it is such an informative and enjoyable podcast for any physician who wants to do more with their career and life in general. Then I had the pleasure to get career coaching from Heather, it was truly an amazing experience. Heather has broad knowledge of all the different career paths that are available for physicians, she is so insightful and very easy to talk to. She helped me clarify my goals, examine my own mindset and definition of success. Together we developed a clear plan and actionable steps to reach these goals. I eventually made a career transition to a remote non-clinical position that allows me to do meaningful work which aligns with my personal and professional goals and priorities.

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Internal Medicine

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From the very first interaction with Heather, it became abundantly clear that she possessed a systematic approach and a methodology firmly rooted in my focusing on my goals and aspirations. Heather's coaching sessions helped me dismantle limiting beliefs and unearth the capable woman, mother, and physician within me. Under Heather's guidance, I began to dream again. I rediscovered my passion for writing, found the courage to share my stories, and even launched my own coaching practice. Today, I specialize in helping others conquer imposter syndrome and overcome burnout, empowering them to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. Working with Heather fundamentally shifted my perspective and allowed me to show up authentically in every facet of my life, resulting in a profound sense of fulfillment.

I am deeply grateful that I can continue my work in the emergency department and serve my community as a physician as well as a coach. Working with Heather was a transformative gift that enabled me to rediscover my true self, find clarity in my life's purpose, and unlock my full potential. Through her guidance, I not only reignited the powerful, confident, and bold version of myself I had lost sight of but also realized the boundless possibilities that lay ahead.

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Emergency physician and coach

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She quickly helped me recognize an area where I was limiting myself and encouraged me to explore new possibilities. Her sound and supportive guidance empowered me to take the next steps in launching my parent coaching services. I’m grateful for her support and highly recommend her expertise!

Reshma Shah MD, MPH

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I sought Heather’s guidance after practicing outpatient internal medicine for many years, as it was getting difficult to balance my role as a clinician while meeting my needs and those of my family. After our first consultation, I felt like I was seen and heard for the first time in my career. Working with Heather helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses, fears, and goals, and ultimately guided me to a non-clinical role that better aligned with my needs and aspirations. I am deeply indebted to Heather for the impact she has had on my personal and professional development. She is one of the most influential people in my life and I continue to seek her guidance years after our initial encounter. She once said that “we are happiest and most successful when we are using our skills and abilities at their highest level.” Heather will help you discover your truth. Thank you for your incredible work and friendship!

Megan Leivant, MD

Internal Medicine