Why I Left Academic Medicine
For as long as I can remember, I envisioned myself as a lifelong academic. I trained at some of the most prestigious institutions, spending four years in residency and two in fellowship, preparing for a career as faculty at a top research center. I wanted to be the physician who balanced patient care with groundbreaking research, publications, and teaching the next generation.
And for a while, I was.
For five years, I worked as an attending in academic medicine. I was living the dream I had worked so hard to achieve. But slowly, that dream began to unravel.
When Everything Changed
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it changed the game—for me and for so many others in healthcare. The relentless pressure, the long hours, and the sheer weight of the loss we saw daily took their toll. It was a stark reminder that the healthcare system, for all its noble goals, often operates in a way that prioritizes numbers and efficiency over the well-being of its workforce—and, sometimes, its patients.
I started to burn out. The constant grind and systemic failures became too much. It was clear: I was expendable. My mental health suffered. I fell into a dark place, battling depression and anxiety, questioning everything I had worked so hard for.
I reached a crossroads: I could either continue on this path, which was destroying me, or I could make a change.
The Pivot
In 2023, I made the decision to leave academic medicine and pursue a completely different path as a physician entrepreneur. It wasn’t an easy choice. Walking away from years of training and the identity I had built as an academician felt daunting, even frightening. But it was also liberating.
Now, I’m my own boss. I set my own schedule, decide who I work with, and focus on projects that ignite my passion. The flexibility allows me to spend more time on things I love—time with family, hobbies, and simply living my life. And yes, I make more money, but even more importantly, I’ve regained my mental health, my sense of purpose, and my happiness.
A New Perspective
Looking back, I’m struck by how many of my colleagues are still stuck on the same hamster wheel, caught in the endless cycle of overwork and underappreciation. If that’s you, I want you to know something: It doesn’t have to be this way.
You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being for a career that no longer serves you. There is life beyond the hospital walls. Whether it’s entrepreneurship, consulting, private practice, or something else entirely, the possibilities are endless if you’re willing to take that leap.
I share this not to boast, but to show you that change is possible. I was in a dark place, and I made it out. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or like your career is taking more from you than it’s giving back, consider what your next step could be.
This is my story, but what will yours be?
If you’re curious or want to chat about how I made the shift, I’m always happy to share. After all, we all deserve a chance to live the life we’ve worked so hard to build—on our own terms.
With hope and purpose,
Santoshi Billakota