This painting by John Trumbull (1756-1843), depicts the moment when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 28, 1776.

The Seldom Declared History of its Writing

The summer of 1776 was a time of escalating conflict with England.  It was a dangerous time for the American colonies and in particular, its leaders.  Military and political uncertainties abounded.

The conflict between the American colonists and British soldiers that began in April, 1775 had grown into the Revolutionary War during the summer of 1776.

In the meantime, there had developed a significant movement in favor of independence from England.  Delegates to the Continental Congress were faced with the necessity to vote on this critical issue. 

In order to do so, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia for the purpose of voting on the question of independence. To accomplish that, there was a parliamentary and political need to...

Rising Above the Rest – 2022

The Grand Teton and Range

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Challenges and Leadership

Great, existential challenges have a remarkable way of evoking different reactions from individuals with diverse personalities. The responses may range from cowering fear to towering bravery. The latter is witnessed in men known for their genuine boldness as well as the man who has been perceived as quietly meek. This seemingly outward meekness is sometimes misunderstood for a quiet, steadfast resolve. 

Who Are These Leaders?

Exemplary leaders may be found at a humble home, businesses small and large, churches, government bodies, medical organizations and in your own medical practice. The list is virtually endless. 

Some have a long record of leadership service; others seem to arise to meet the challenge that confronts them. You may have witnessed, as I have, a range of behavior of individuals in the face of crisis:

The usually, boldly verbose that becomes...

Mt. McKinley – 2011

Denali National Park, AK

Your Lifestyle as Art

Grand art born of great, visionary artists often arises from a spontaneous idea, an image in the mind’s eye.  The evolution of an idea that culminates in a tangible work of art, whether a painting or a photograph of a spectacular landscape, requires a blending of grand vision and the execution of exceptional technique.

Similarly, in order to create a masterpiece that will be your new lifestyle, you must imagine a clear vision of your future before you begin to create it. The path to doing so is to prepare yourself by creating and executing a realistic post career lifestyle plan that will guide you to making your new life an exuberant reality.

There are some things in life like faith, family, country, etc. that require serious respect and appreciation. Then there are others that stimulate a special sort of devotion. For me they are,  among other things, fly-fishing and landscape photography.

In...

Teapot Rock – 2010

Schenebly Hill Vista

Sedona, AZ

 How to Prepare Your Practice

Recent articles have discussed the sequence of proactive preparations that should be undertaken to prepare for a sale of your practice. Beyond personal and professional readiness, the most recent of these, focuses on preparing your practice. This series of preparations apply to a classic succession or a sale to a financial organization such as a family office. 

Once these are concluded, the next item is to prepare the practice for the introduction of the new physician. These preparations are similar for either method of his arrival to your practice.

The benefits of preparing your practice for a new physician in advance of publicly announcing your plans are two-fold. One, is that there are a variety of matters to consider that should be integrated into the preparation and execution of your plan. The second is that it is essential that you be able to convey to a prospective buyer that you...

The Cathedral Group, Teton Range – 2022

Grand Teton National Park, WY

The Path

The  transition from your career involves a multitude of matters that require thoughtful, timely planning in order to experience a smooth and successful outcome. They include personal, professional and practice preparations…in that order. 

This article focuses on the critical first steps you should take prior to seeking a buyer of your practice.

The Big Picture…

The preparation of your practice for a sale is an unfamiliar process that is tedious and lengthy. It is easy to underestimate the time and effort that must be dedicated to this process which occurs simultaneously with the ongoing care of your patients. It is essential to evaluate your responsibilities, your staff’s and the time available to fulfill them. This will help you determine whether changes are needed in order to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

The preparations to present your practice to a...

Madison River and Range – 2009

Montana

Professional Matters 

The transition from our careers is a new challenge we all face. It affects physicians in common and unique ways. This includes major concerns such as personal, professional and medical practice matters.

This article provides an overview of major professional considerations. A previous article discusses the rationale and benefits of undertaking proactive, preparation. More to the point, it includes the question of when and how to begin. I encourage you to review it as it presents the foundation for this and subsequent articles that I’m confident you will find very helpful. 

The Path to Preparedness

There is a very close association between your personal and professional concerns that you must identify and consider as you begin to prepare. There may be some overlap, but when you consider this closely, it will become apparent that there are substantial differences. It is important to resolve questions...

Toward the Light – 2009

Florida

Preparing and Overcoming

The transition from our careers is a process that is an unfamiliar, major undertaking that we all face. It affects us in common and unique ways that include personal, professional and medical practice matters.

You probably have the ability to plan and prepare in a timely, proactive manner. This is the optimal approach that provides you the most flexibility to deal with matters you know about now, as well as those you do not…for the time being. It also creates some room to deal with matters unexpected and unwanted.

This is the essence of a planned transition, one that you can choose when to initiate on your terms.

In contrast, a reactive transition is one that begins when life thrusts upon you a surprising change that is often unwanted.

My Circumstance

A reactive transition was what I had to deal with, despite having made initial, preliminary plans for my own career transition. I can attest that it is an...

Home Grown Love – 2009

Florida

 Honor Mom…From Me to Mine, From You to Yours

I am confident that each of us has reasons to be grateful. Beyond life itself, there is our world of people that each of us can think of that warm our hearts and cause us to smile.

We have been graced by the benevolence of others. We recognize it and quietly think kindly of them. 

Sometimes, we want to thank them personally, in the manner that we were taught when we were growing up. To express our heartfelt gratitude. To do so brings joy to those who have given of themselves for our benefit, as well as satisfaction to ourselves.

I know that many of our blessings are divinely ordained. 

Another source is fellow human beings.  We know them as family, friends and acquaintances. Then there are those we do not know, but know who we are. They manifest their goodwill toward us even as we are unaware.

Each has their unique version of love and goodwill that benefits each of us.

Grace...

Flying in Freedom - 2021

Rough-legged Hawk

Idaho

The Right Decisions Manifest Freedom

Perhaps you are at a point in your career that you can envision the transition to the next great phase of your life.

Your ideas and aspirations are becoming more clear. 

You are growing more confident that the dreams born of your imagination will become a reality. 

You have some concerns, yet your smile reflects joy of anticipation. 

You take a deep, deep breath that parallels the satisfaction you feel for what you have accomplished in life.

You feel the conviction deeply that you have earned the life that your aspire to live.

Well earned, well deserved!

A New Dawn for You

This is your time for dreaming, planning, executing and experiencing the emerging reality of it all. Amidst the excitement, it is also the time to apply the skills and wisdom you have developed over the course of your career to this very special time of your life.

You will probably experience a variety of profound...

Gallatin River – 2004

Montana

Path and Phases

The transition from your career is a process that is usually lengthy. When it is well-planned, it is typically executed in sequential phases that are comprised of tasks that build upon the previous ones.

The most challenging of these phases is usually the first. This is when you come to terms with the fact that your transition from practice is in your foreseeable future. It is natural for reactions to vary widely from joy of anticipation to apprehension and perhaps some stress. The experience is commonly a blend of both.

Regardless of how you perceive this phase of your life, you will probably experience a sense of loss that is accompanied by excitement about great anticipations. It is beneficial to think of this process as what it really is: a transition, rather than a “retirement.” The term transition emphasizes its purpose: to experience renewal and fulfillment, a form of positive transformation.

 Retirement...