My Story

The time finally came when my college and medical school years came to an end and my post graduate training began. It consisted of completing two surgical residencies and certification by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I then founded Florida Plastic Surgery where I had the honor and privilege of serving my patients with uncompromising integrity and excellence.

My Unexpected Transition from Practice

At about the time I had been practicing for almost twenty-four years, I purchased the standalone building of my dreams. It was renovated inside-out to include an in-office surgical facility similar to the one in my previous office of many years. I had a well-established practice, great staff and was at the stage that, in addition to the usual sources of referrals, many of my patients were familiar, as I had treated them in earlier years. 

I really enjoyed my Plastic Surgery practice and my patients were the reason I felt that they were a very large, extended family. I felt healthy, had an active life and was nowhere near the peak of my career. At the time, it was natural that the idea of “retirement” was a distant vision. Nevertheless, shortly after moving in, I began to think well into the future about developing a plan to transition from practice.  With the new office, there was ample space to accommodate a younger associate and additional staff. I resolved to begin planning the following year after getting more settled in…unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to do so.

Nine months after performing my first surgical procedure there, the symptoms began. Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with colon cancer.  I had prompt treatment, but the side effects and other problems prevented me from continuing practicing Plastic Surgery. With these developments, my practice abruptly ended. Thankfully, I have been cured of cancer for many years and I am well.

Now What?

That ending launched a new beginning. It was rocky because despite my intentions for relatively early planning, the reality was that I was not prepared. The challenges were serious and superseded by their abundance.

First and foremost there was the impact on me personally, professionally and on my family. There were other important matters, such as ensuring my patients were cared for, meeting my staff’s needs and much, much more.

As I reacted to all this, I understood the need for assistance from a consultant who could guide me through these uncharted waters. I searched for expertise from one who understood the breadth of personal, professional, practice and business dimensions of my  situation. A consultant who was also able to guide me through the essentials as well as the nuances of selling my practice.

I undertook an extensive search but could not find someone that fulfilled these criteria. As a result, I did it on my own; it was extremely time consuming, stressful and took a lot longer than if I had the guidance I had looked for.

My Renewal

In the course of my journey, I understood that my education, credentials, experience and knowledge of practice transition had prepared me to provide uniquely beneficial consulting services to other physicians. As a Plastic Surgeon, I am familiar with the joys and worries that fellow physicians experience. A critically important insight that was crucial to my personal progress, was this: I recognized that while my career had ended, my purpose in life had not.

These factors motivated me to serve the great needs of physicians. I founded Enrique Fernandez, M. D. & Associates for the purpose of guiding them through their career transition.

Through my consulting services I am able provide the very services that I needed years ago…and much more. It is personally rewarding to serve fellow physicians throughout the United States by illuminating their path to transition from their careers.

As to myself, I am enjoying my second career. I balance that with other important activities such as my passion for nature photography, fly fishing and most of all, spending quality time with my beautiful family.

I now leave you with this idea: I encourage you to believe that whatever your challenges or aspirations, the path to your successful career transition and fulfillment thereafter is to:

Plan. Prepare. Prosper. _TM 

My best wishes to you and your family!

Enrique

To read a summary of my curriculum vitae, click here.

You are welcome to request a complimentary initial conversation about your career transition. To do so, click here.