BackTable / ENT / Podcast / Episode #163
Evolving Paths: Navigating Career Transitions in Medicine
with Dr. Jennifer Villwock
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Villwock, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Kansas University Medical Center, discusses career transitions with hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2024, March 19). Ep. 163 – Evolving Paths: Navigating Career Transitions in Medicine [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Synopsis
First, Dr. Villwock shares her career journey as a rhinologist, researcher, and coach. She credits her high level of professional fulfillment to her decision to focus on research and coaching at work. Discussing her own path, Dr. Shah underscores the importance of determining one’s values when contemplating career transitions. Then, the surgeons address the culture of medicine more broadly. They cover topics including identity formation, martyrdom at work, and surgeon mental health. The podcast concludes with Dr. Villwock’s encouragement to make room for exploration at all stages of one’s career.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:53 - Dr. Villwock’s Journey into Research and Coaching
08:35 - Aligning Personal Values with Career Goals
16:31 - Navigating Career Transitions in Different Fields
25:26 - Exploring Identity in Career Transitions
28:13 - The Importance of Values in Career Identity
31:59 - Suffering & Martyrdom in Medicine
36:48 - Mental Health in Medicine
45:34 - Exploring New Paths in Career Trajectory
Resources
Dr. Jennifer Villwock’s TEDxUKMC Talk, “The Black Hole”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViIDJC3Lbss&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.












