Emergency medicine is one of the most challenging and rewarding specialties in health care. We are required to be clear-headed enough to make quick decisions while sleeping when we can, hugging our families while we can, and forming unshakable bonds with our colleagues over shared triumph and tragedy.
For many emergency physicians, these challenges come at the expense of their own health and well-being, yet we don’t see it. At least I didn’t. I loved my job as an EM nocturnist, right up until the end of my full-time schedule.
But what if there were a way to maintain the enthusiasm that drew you to emergency medicine while reclaiming your health and maintaining financial stability? A respected mentor of mine said, “The only way to have longevity in EM is to go part time.”
The paradox is you have to invest more energy initially to build a situation that is sustainable, and most of us are tapped out. It’s easier to “just work another shift”—until it isn’t.
So where do we start?
To thrive in and out of the hospital, prioritize your health as non-negotiable. Physical health comes first—not last. Don’t follow my lead and let your health be the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. Even as an Ironman athlete and someone who kept a protected sleep schedule throughout over a decade of nights, my health was visibly harmed by my disordered eating habits and stress levels.
Find a community of like-minded physicians for accountability and shared growth. Looking toward exciting goals is a tremendous source of mental and physical energy. Groups like the Elite Physician Collective provide support, resources, and camaraderie for doctors navigating nontraditional transitions. The identity crisis of leaving a career you are passionate about is not a path to be walked alone.
Because we do shift work, we can decrease shifts once the financial burden is decompressed and we begin to create what my own coaches call “white space” in our calendars. We go to work invigorated instead of defeated. We are able to build on the healthy foundations we have started. We have protected family time and devoted personal growth time to foster business and personal endeavors.
However, transitioning to part-time work requires thoughtful planning—both financially and professionally.
We all dream of passive income like real estate or financial investing, and some achieve it. These options seem the most appealing, as most of us are exhausted and just looking for space to breathe. However, I challenge you to look at your future differently, choosing to live now rather than stave off taking a breath until “retirement.” I challenge my clients to search for relevance over retirement, even.
This balanced approach—where you remain an active physician while building a sustainable lifestyle—can help doctors avoid or recover from burnout and rediscover the joy in both their personal and professional lives.
If you’re an emergency physician feeling overwhelmed and trying to survive until “retirement,” know that it’s possible to shift into a career that supports both your well-being and financial goals. By stepping back, diversifying your income, and investing in your health, you can create your career on your terms.
Start today by exploring and envisioning the life you truly want to live. Emergency medicine doesn’t have to be all or nothing. As a treasured colleague said to me, “You are emergency medicine, but you are not just emergency medicine.”
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.
She can be reached on TikTok, X @DrMoeGibbons, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and her website, Dr. Moe Coaching.
