The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast
Heather Fork, MD
Are you a physician who’s questioning your career path? If you’re at the white coat crossroads, for whatever reason, this podcast is for you. We’re going to help you find your best path forward, whether it’s to be happier in patient care, transition to a nonclinical career, or do something completely different.
In the weekly podcasts, we’re bringing you all the good stuff:
-Actionable tools and resources to help you start making positive changes.
-Interviews with physicians who’ve found new and fulfilling ways to practice as well as those who’ve transitioned into nonclinical careers.
-Concrete advice for applying to jobs, using LinkedIn, interviewing, negotiating, and much more.
Your host, Dr. Heather Fork, is a former board-certified dermatologist who transitioned into full-time career coaching for physicians over 10 years ago. She is a master certified coach who has been helping hundreds of physicians find ways to be happier both in medicine and beyond.
Come visit us at www.doctorscrossing.com to learn more!
In the weekly podcasts, we’re bringing you all the good stuff:
-Actionable tools and resources to help you start making positive changes.
-Interviews with physicians who’ve found new and fulfilling ways to practice as well as those who’ve transitioned into nonclinical careers.
-Concrete advice for applying to jobs, using LinkedIn, interviewing, negotiating, and much more.
Your host, Dr. Heather Fork, is a former board-certified dermatologist who transitioned into full-time career coaching for physicians over 10 years ago. She is a master certified coach who has been helping hundreds of physicians find ways to be happier both in medicine and beyond.
Come visit us at www.doctorscrossing.com to learn more!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 24, 2021 • 28min
Episode #55: How About a Job Improving the EMR?
When she found herself at the crossroads, Dr. Laura Marusinec had no idea she would end up in a great job improving the EMR and training other physicians. In this episode, she shares how saying yes to an opportunity to be an EPIC trainer led to a new career path she loves in informatics. We also hear about strategies she used to move forward from uncertainty that can be applied to any career transition. In addition, we learn some different ways to explore this area of informatics and working with the EMR. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/55
Nov 17, 2021 • 33min
Episode #54: Is There a Teacher in You?
As a physician you are teaching every day. If this is a skill you enjoy, you may be wondering how you can find additional teaching opportunities. Our guest, Dr. Liz McMurtry is an Emergency Medicine physician who’s currently the Assistant Dean at an osteopathic medical school. She shares with us different ways physicians can become more involved in a teaching role, both as a mentor and in a paid position. We also talk about the rewards of teaching, how to reach out regarding opportunities, and compensation. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/54
Nov 10, 2021 • 19min
Episode #53: My Private Struggle With Starting This Podcast
In this one-year anniversary episode, I share the truth behind why starting this podcast was such a struggle for me. My personal story revolves around some issues I’ve had with my voice starting in 5th grade which manifested in different settings, including my job at a veterinary clinic. The issues almost prevented me from doing the podcast altogether. My intention in telling this story is to offer some inspiration to any of you thinking you’re not good enough to do something that truly matters to you. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/53
Nov 3, 2021 • 33min
Episode #52: Coping With the Emotions of Leaving Medicine
We know how to follow steps, work hard, and care for others in distress. But how prepared are we for handling the emotions that come up around leaving medicine? It’s easy to get tangled up in the emotional seaweed that inevitably arises. Dr. Morgan Leafe, a pediatrician who transitioned into medical writing and informatics discovered a variety of ways to cope with the challenging emotions around career change. She shares with us 5 strategies she used to make the transition easier and ultimately a success. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/52
Oct 27, 2021 • 35min
Episode #51: Coping With a Malpractice Suit From One Who Knows
Having an adverse patient outcome or a malpractice suit is something we hope we can avoid, but they happen. When they do occur, they can bring on anxiety and depression, take away our joy, and even cause us to leave medicine. Dr. Stacia Dearmin went through a very challenging malpractice lawsuit which inspired her to start her business helping other physicians in similar circumstances. On the podcast she shares her story with us and key strategies for coping with an adverse outcome or a malpractice suit. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/51
Oct 20, 2021 • 30min
Episode #50: Surgeon Transitions to CDI Specialist
How would you like to still use your medical knowledge and keep learning new things, but not be stressed out by the challenges of patient care? If so, being a CDI specialist might be just the ticket. Today I’m speaking with Dr. Jenn Jolley, a general surgeon who put the scalpel down to work in Clinical Documentation Improvement so she could still use her medical training but have more family time. Come find out why she left surgery, what her day-to-day is like, and how to explore this flexible career path. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/50
Oct 13, 2021 • 31min
Episode #49: Giving Notice and Non-competes
What happens when you’re excited to get a job offer with a company and they want you to start ASAP but you have to give 90 days’ notice? What if you have a non-compete that restricts the kind of work you can do next and where you do it? These can be issues in both clinical and nonclinical jobs. Physician employment contract expert and founder of Contract Diagnostics, Jon Appino, shares his advice and knowledge on navigating and negotiating these key aspects of your contract when you’re signing or resigning. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/49
Oct 6, 2021 • 32min
Episode #48: Could You Have the Imposter Syndrome?
Do you question whether you’re good enough to be a doctor? Do you compare yourself to other physicians and second guess your decision-making? If so, you might have the imposter syndrome. This issue can affect the most component physicians and lead to burnout and other problems. Dr. Diane Shannon experienced the imposter syndrome starting in med school and it fueled the burnout that caused her to leave medicine prematurely. She helps us understand the imposter syndrome and offers advice for moving beyond it. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/48
Sep 29, 2021 • 30min
Episode #47: Locums, Reentry, and a Return to Joy in Medicine
A common concern about leaving medicine is losing your skill set and having the door closed. This can also be an issue if you stay in practice but stop doing certain procedures or surgeries. OB/Gyn physician Dr. Helen Rhodes had a steep uphill climb returning to obstetrics after more than a decade away from the delivery room. We hear the amazing story of how she made it back, the role locum tenens played, and how she found her joy in medicine again. Included are tips for locums and keeping your skills current. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/47
Sep 22, 2021 • 33min
Episode #46: Asking for What You Want at Work
When you’re unhappy at your job it’s a good idea to try and fix it up before you give it up. What might make it better? Do you want to go down in hours? Change your schedule? Do less trauma call? Before throwing in the towel or simply enduring, it’s important to see what can be improved. Our guest today, ENT surgeon and podcaster, Dr. Bradley Block, joins me to talk about how to approach your employer to ask for what you want. We talk about steps to take to help you negotiate and have the best chance of success. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/46
