I went into medicine to help people. If you had asked the undergraduate version of me why I was pursuing this path, I would have told you it was because I was fascinated by the human body and wanted to use that knowledge to help others heal. And that’s still true, but the reality I encountered was more complicated.
While working in Internal Medicine, I started noticing the same names appear on my patient list—individuals I had discharged just weeks earlier. It became an unfortunate reality that much of my work felt like managing symptoms on the surface rather than addressing the root causes. The real problems, such as access to care, healthy food, and safe environments, were outside my reach in the hospital.
As I looked ahead, I observed colleague hospitalists further along in their careers. Many were burnt out. I couldn’t envision a sustainable future for myself in Internal Medicine. At least not one where I could thrive both as a physician and as a person.
That’s when I discovered Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM). Immediately, something felt different. The people in this field seemed genuinely happy, both professionally and personally. It was a breath of fresh air.
In OEM, I found the opportunity to not only treat acute conditions but also work upstream, focusing on prevention and population health. Since most people spend a significant portion of their lives at work, the workplace becomes a powerful setting to promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and implement healthier policies. Whether through medical directorship, policy development, or consulting, OEM allows me to align my personal values with my professional mission. And the best part? I can do all this while also maintaining a healthy balance in my own life.
What's occupational medicine (OEM)? OEM sits at the intersection of health and business—ensuring worker safety, optimizing recovery, and supporting organizations in maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. Here are some additional resources for physicians and medical students:
- Occupational medicine salaries and job opportunities: https://mozibox.com/oem/
- You can follow our OEM Reddit page and ask questions anonymously: https://www.reddit.com/r/mozicare/
- Who is a good fit for OEM? https://aoec.org/oem/ and https://aoec.org/oem/who-is-a-good-fit-for-oem/
- Transitioning Into OEM From Another Specialty. https://aoec.org/oem/transitioning-into-oem/
- We also have a group of seasoned occupational medicine physicians (clinical, corporate, early career, physician executives, etc.) ready to answer your questions. Just email us at [email protected], and we will pair you with a mentor!
