Reconnecting medical professionals with their calling results in patient care that is inspired and effective. But the full story is not complete without hearing directly from the people themselves. When LocumTenens.com and Jackson Physician Search asked “What was the moment you knew you were called to a career in medicine?” the responses filled the gaps with moving personal stories that paint a picture of medical practitioners driven by a desire to help.
The stories, just like the healthcare professionals who shared them, are impactful. Hear from practicing physicians and APPs about the moment they felt called to practice medicine.
Inspired by others to deliver care
“One night, I watched my doctor brother rush to save a critically ill little girl at midnight, his calm precision and relentless commitment in the face of chaos inspiring me to dedicate my own life to medicine.”
“As a child, I vividly remember accompanying my mother to her doctor's appointment. The way the doctor exuded confidence and calm made a lasting impression on both my mother and our family. It was in that moment that I felt a deep desire to become a doctor, someone who could provide that same sense of reassurance and peace. Today, I strive to care for my patients with the same compassion and understanding that my mother experienced during her challenges. Having overcome her own health struggles, she now thrives and takes great joy in watching her daughter care for others. Her resilience inspires me every day, and it is my hope to bring comfort and support to everyone I have the privilege to serve.”
“I shadowed a rural family medicine doctor and witnessed how connected they were to their patients. There was strong mutual respect, and the physician was knowledgeable and helpful with medical/lifestyle recommendations that helped change their patients' lives. They took every opportunity to reach their patients about themselves their health, which I felt was a large missing piece in most people's lives. I wanted to be able to provide the same service.”
Driven to help others and make a difference
“As a graduating high school senior, my best friend died from leukemia and I committed myself to a path of doctoring and scientific scholarship (a subject I already very much enjoyed) as a way to honor her memory. I did not question this decision until in medical school.”
“Medicine chose me. Growing up, I cared for large and small animals. I absolutely loved it, and realized it was a transferable skill. As I grew up, I knew medicine was the right pathway for me. [...] Every day in the ER is brand new. I love my teams, my patients and the communities I serve. I maintain a healthy, positive outlook while at work; but the reality is, healthcare is falling apart. We have watched it wax and wane over the last 30-40 years, now primarily being owned and managed by organizations.”
“Every time I see a patient stabilize and be able to rebuild their life. That's less and less now, as we can only carry less than half of the patients we used to carry due to administrative burdens filling most of every workday. But I got to thoroughly enjoy 20 of my 30 work years and would gladly do everything over again for those awesome years, but would not want to enter medicine now for the scraps that are left of it ...”
“At the end of my third year, while deciding which specialty I go in, I did an audition rotation in PM&R (my now chosen field of medicine) and had a patient interaction that confirmed my decision to choose medicine and go into my field of practice. We had a Haitian patient who only spoke creole and was difficult to communicate with, so I stepped in translated for the patient and took charge of the patient’s care, which led to a positive outcome. Both the patient’s family and my healthcare team were grateful for my ability to take charge of the situation as a student.”
“I remember being in the car driving to work at 4 a.m. as a resident with a smile on my face just thinking about the challenges and people that I would encounter that day. ”
Called to medicine from the very beginning
“My first day in my outpatient clinic as a resident. It felt like I was home and where I fit.”
“February 1981. I was utterly riveted by physiology, while enduring business law and other courses. Told my parents I was going to go to medical school; took all my prerequisites as a senior in 1981/82; LIVED for the goal. Never looked back.”
“I always thought of medicine as a career. I'm not from a medical family. As a child I had the thought that becoming a medical doctor is the highest achievable career in both an academic and humanistic way. And I felt it was my duty to use what I was given to pursue the best possible profession.”
Every medical practitioner has a story like this; a moment that sparked their passion for medical work. Every pediatrician taking a child's temperature, every cardiologist listening to a beating heart, every physician associate and nurse practitioner guiding patients through ongoing treatment — all clinicians carry this sense of purpose with them, which shapes the care they provide.
To learn more about purpose in medicine, download the full report, “Is Medicine Still a Calling? Exploring Physician Attitudes About Purpose in Medicine” for free today.
Partner with our team of healthcare staffing experts today to build a workforce of mission-driven providers, or to explore flexible and innovative workforce strategies custom tailored around your organization’s unique needs. When your team is made up of these inspired individuals driven by a calling in medicine, that passion translates into the best quality care for your patient community.
