When a neurosurgeon confides that she considers transitioning from surgery to interior design, you pay attention.
Not due to its absurdity, but owing to its sincerity. Numerous physicians harbor akin desires. They question whether it’s acceptable to seek a different existence.
In the medical field, adherence to norms is anticipated and often essential for survival. This is particularly true for women in predominantly male sectors. The unvoiced assumption is to conform, persevere, and refrain from challenging the status quo.
This neurosurgeon chose not to depart. Through introspection, encouragement, coaching, and an openness to reassess ingrained beliefs, she redefined her career relationship and crafted a profession that embodies her true self.
She now operates within an unconventional framework: spending one week engaged in clinical duties, then heading home for an entire week dedicated to relaxation, connection, and personal life. What initially appeared to be an inadequate compromise has evolved into the cornerstone of a profoundly satisfying existence.
She is now more available for her family. She has nurtured significant friendships. She reengaged with pastimes she once thought were incompatible with a neurosurgeon’s lifestyle. Above all, she finds pleasure in her clinical responsibilities once more.
Transitions in careers are not merely logistical. They demand an adjustment of our internal frameworks too.
Nearly everyone who departs from a medical position contends with the all-too-common narrative that stepping away from the conventional trajectory signals an inability to “make it.” The sentiment of shame is pervasive in the medical field.
Shame, blame, and guilt compel many physicians to remain in environments that are misaligned, unhealthy, and frequently toxic. The shame we experience is not indicative of failure; it is merely a product of cultural conditioning.
Just because the practice of medicine, particularly surgery, was not designed for women, it doesn’t necessitate our withdrawal. We can reshape our place within it.
By doing so, we all gain. Our patients benefit from greater presence. Our families experience deeper connections. Our teams receive steadier leadership. More importantly, female physicians can rediscover their passion for medicine and surgery.
If you feel trapped, misaligned, or subtly ashamed that the traditional framework isn’t suitable for you, know that you’re not flawed. The system was not designed with your needs at its core. It was not constructed for the type of medicine we engage in 2025.
This does not imply there isn’t a viable route for you. It simply signifies that uncovering a genuine path will require creativity, bravery, and support.
Jessie Mahoney is a board-certified pediatrician, certified coach, mindfulness and yoga instructor, and the founder of Pause & Presence Coaching & Retreats. After nearly twenty years leading at the Permanente Medical Group/Kaiser, she moved beyond the conventional medical model to reimagine what sustainable well-being in healthcare could resemble. She is also reachable via Facebook and Instagram.
Dr. Mahoney’s work confronts the culture of overcommitment and self-denial in medicine. She aids physicians and leaders in fostering clarity, purpose, and equilibrium—utilizing mindfulness, coaching, yoga, and lifestyle medicine to foster profound and enduring transformation. Her CME retreats provide a transformative environment for healing, self-exploration, and rejuvenation.
As co-host of the podcast, Healing Medicine, she incorporates self-compassion and mindfulness into discussions about contemporary medical practice. A highly sought-after speaker and consultant, she collaborates with organizations to foster more human-centered, sustainable, and inspired medical environments.
Dr. Mahoney is an alumna of Dartmouth College and the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.