Are you a physician considering a career pivot or wanting to explore opportunities outside traditional medicine? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Johnston, a career branding expert and founder of The Briefcase Coach, who has helped hundreds of executives, including myself, navigate career transitions. We explore practical strategies to optimize your LinkedIn profile, craft a compelling executive resume, and build a personal narrative that opens doors. Sarah and I also dive into the mindset shifts necessary to step into new roles, from overcoming self-doubt to embracing your transferable skills.

Sarah Johnston, a former healthcare recruiter and industry "insider," is dedicated to empowering talented high-achievers by equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in their job search. Driven by her passion for empowering professionals, Sarah founded the Briefcase Coach, a renowned global executive branding firm. Operating worldwide, the Briefcase Coach has successfully served clients in all 50 states and across six continents. Sarah was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019 and acknowledged among HR Weekly's Top 100 Most Influential People in HR. Furthermore, Balance Careers named Sarah's resume writing firm as the "best" for experienced executives. JobScan named Sarah a "top follow" in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Episode Highlights:

[0:44] - Introducing Sarah Johnston and my journey to career clarity with her help.
[2:40] - Sarah’s background as a recruiter and her transition to building a global resume writing firm.
[4:46] - Why physicians struggle to identify and market their transferable skills.
[8:52] - The value of reframing “failure” and using data to tell a compelling career story.
[9:59] - Why LinkedIn is essential for physicians and how to overcome the “ick factor.”
[15:54] - Crafting a LinkedIn headline: Using keywords to align with your career goals.
[19:47] - Leveraging opportunities within your current job to build skills for a future pivot.
[23:13] - Volunteer work and side gigs: A pathway to gain experience and open doors.
[28:19] - The long-term career impact of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Resources:

Sarah Johnston’s Website: The Briefcase Coach

Checkout our services at StartupPhysicians.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Don’t forget to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare! See you next time.

In this episode, we’re diving into how startups think and what we as physicians can learn from their approach to innovation. If you’ve ever wondered how design thinking, rapid iteration, and minimum viable products (MVPs) could reshape healthcare, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how startups thrive on speed, creativity, and disruption, and why adopting their mindset can empower us to challenge assumptions and drive meaningful change.

I’ll break down the key principles of design thinking, share real-world examples from my experience building care models, and explain how MVPs can save time and resources while delivering impactful results.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Welcome and introduction to the startup mindset: Speed, disruption, and innovation.
[2:54] - The five phases of design thinking and why empathy is at the heart of it all.
[4:25] - Exploring the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and its value in healthcare.
[7:42] - The story of creating a clinical care model as an MVP at Imagine Pediatrics.
[9:20] - Challenging assumptions and how questioning “why” can uncover hidden opportunities.
[15:57] - Practical takeaways: Applying design thinking, MVPs, and assumption testing in your work.

Resources:

Check out our services at StartupPhysicians.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Remember to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare!

Curious about breaking into startups? The Startup Physician Launchpad is a 6-week course guiding you to consult with startups using your clinical expertise. Join our inaugural group for exclusive benefits, a discounted price, small group setting, and personalized mentorship. Use code EARLYACCESS for 20% off through Jan 21. https://alisoncurfmanmd.com/startup-physician-launchpad/

Today, we’re exploring the many ways physicians can break into the startup world and make an impact. Whether you’ve considered founding a company, consulting for innovative health-tech startups, or joining an advisory board, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get started.

I’ll share why startups are hungry for our clinical expertise, how our perspective is essential for designing smarter and safer healthcare solutions, and why now is the perfect time for physicians to get involved. From understanding the role of AI in healthcare to leveraging our skills to build better care models, this episode will inspire you to think differently about your career and the future of healthcare.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Opening thoughts: Why startups need physicians and the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
[4:00] - The unique skills physicians bring to the table and how they align with startup needs.
[6:23] - Different pathways into startups: Founders, CMOs, advisors, and consultants.
[11:46] - Real-world examples of impactful startup roles, including AI and population health models.
[14:32] - Exploring fractional and interim roles for flexibility and impact.
[21:33] - Why the startup ecosystem is ideal for physicians looking to drive meaningful change.
[28:55] - Practical takeaways: How to start your journey into the startup world.

Resources:

Checkout our services at StartupPhysicians.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, rate, and leave a review. Remember to share this episode with fellow physicians who might be interested in startups. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare!

Curious about breaking into startups? The Startup Physician Launchpad is a 6-week course guiding you to consult with startups using your clinical expertise. Join our inaugural group for exclusive benefits, a discounted price, small group setting, and personalized mentorship. Use code EARLYACCESS for 20% off through Jan 21. https://alisoncurfmanmd.com/startup-physician-launchpad/

Curious about breaking into startups? The Startup Physician Launchpad is a 6-week course guiding you to consult with startups using your clinical expertise. Join our inaugural group for exclusive benefits, a discounted price, small group setting, and personalized mentorship. Use code EARLYACCESS for 20% off through Jan 21. https://alisoncurfmanmd.com/startup-physician-launchpad/