You Are Not Trapped: Career Pathways for Physicians Beyond Clinical Medicine | Episode 21
Episode notes
Feeling trapped in medicine? Believing your only choices are to stay in clinical practice or walk away completely? According to Dr. Bertina Hooks, that mindset may be one of the biggest myths physicians believe.
In this episode of the Career Clarity and Pivot Series, Dr. Bertina Hooks challenges the idea that physicians only have two career options and introduces a more empowering perspective: physicians have choices, physicians can evolve, and career pivots can be intentional—not impulsive.
Drawing from her own professional journey—from hospital medicine and locums to private practice, utilization management, consulting, and entrepreneurship—Dr. Hooks shares practical insights on building a sustainable and fulfilling portfolio career without burning your life down.
What You’ll Discover:
- Why the belief that physicians only have two career choices is a myth.
- What it really means to pivot strategically without making reckless decisions.
- How optionality creates freedom and reduces feelings of professional burnout and entrapment.
- Different physician career pathways, including utilization management, telemedicine, consulting, pharma, coaching, entrepreneurship, and portfolio careers.
- Why physicians should test before they leap through networking, informational interviews, side projects, and exploration.
- How your medical degree is a transferable asset, not wasted education.
- Reflection questions to help you gain clarity and alignment before making a career move.
Career pivots don’t have to be all-or-nothing. The best transitions are intentional, thoughtful, and built around the life you actually want to create. You are not trapped. You have options—and you are allowed to evolve.
Learn more at:
Listen on Pinnacle Podcast Network (CME credit available):
🎧 https://learnatpinnacle.com/education
Also available on:
🎧 Spotify: https://bit.ly/MindFulPracticePodcast_Spotify
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qmFqsW
❤️ iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/4kfR732
About Dr. Bertina Hooks:
Dr. Bertina Hooks is a board-certified internal medicine physician, entrepreneur, coach, and speaker dedicated to helping physicians navigate burnout, gain career clarity, and redesign their professional lives in alignment with their values and goals.
Connect with Dr. Hooks:
Website: pinnaclebusinessacademy.org
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bertina-hooks-046a3819/
Email: bmhooks@gmail.com
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