Dr. Sylvie Stacy is the author of 50 Nonclinical Careers for Physicians: Fulfilling, Meaningful, and Lucrative Alternatives to Direct Patient Care and 50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for Physicians: Unique Ways to Use Your Medical Degree Without Leaving Patient Care, two go-to resources for doctors exploring paths beyond traditional clinical roles. We had the chance to interview Dr. Stacy about her own career journey—from preventive medicine to addiction medicine, and from clinical care to writing and leadership. Here’s what she had to say.
You’ve had a unique path from preventive medicine to addiction medicine, and from clinical to non-clinical roles. Can you walk us through the major turning points in your career?
I didn’t have a single turning point that changed everything. Rather, I’d say my path has evolved gradually. It’s been shaped by noticing what felt right for me and where I could be most useful. Early in medical school, I realized traditional outpatient care wasn’t going to be the right fit. I was drawn to the science of medicine but not to the idea of seeing patients back-to-back all day. That led me to explore specialties that offered a broader focus. That’s how I landed on preventive medicine because it allowed me to think at the population level while still applying clinical skills.
During residency, I rotated through a range of settings that many physicians never get to see, like government agencies, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, and managed care. Those experiences opened my eyes to how valuable our training can be outside of direct patient care. My first role after residency was with a correctional health company, where I served as a corporate medical director. That position combined policy development, clinical oversight, and informatics, among other things. I enjoyed all of these. It was less than 20% direct patient care, but it used every part of my medical education.
Since then, I’ve continued to follow that same approach of trying new roles, building on what I’ve learned, and staying flexible. I’ve worked in addiction medicine, correctional medicine, medical writing, utilization management, and other consulting roles. Each one has taught me something new about the profession and myself.
What motivated you to explore non-traditional career paths—and how did you navigate the uncertainty that came with stepping off the well-trodden path?
When I started thinking about non-traditional paths, my initial motivation was wanting a career in medicine that didn’t revolve around seeing and treating patients all day. But once I began exploring, I was struck by how many directions a medical degree can take you. The more I learned, the more excited I was. I wasn’t just avoiding something that didn’t fit anymore. I was drawn to the variety of roles where physicians are needed. Like public health and policy to writing, tech, consulting, and beyond.
Dealing with uncertainty was easier once I found other doctors who had already stepped away from the traditional path. Talking to them gave me clarity about the kinds of roles that were possible, how to get there, and what the trade-offs looked like. It also gave me confidence. Hearing their stories made the whole idea feel more real and attainable. Those conversations were very informative and very energizing. They helped me build a professional network, too.
Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to write a book about this topic? What pushed you to share your insights more broadly with other physicians?
I decided to write the book after seeing how limited and often inaccurate the information was about nonclinical and unconventional careers for physicians. Most of what I came across (in blog posts, Facebook groups, conversations) focused on just a few nonclinical career areas like pharma or utilization review, without much detail. I saw a lot of vague advice, and even flat-out misinformation (like the idea that you can’t return to clinical work once you leave, or that you need an MBA to land a nonclinical job). That just didn’t match what I was seeing in my own experience or in the experiences of physicians I knew.
At a certain point, I realized I had gathered enough insight and real-world examples to put together something much more complete and accurate. I wanted to give physicians a starting point… something practical and detailed that laid out not just what types of roles exist, but what they actually involve day-to-day.
Addiction medicine is often misunderstood. What are some of the most common myths you wish more physicians—and the public—understood?
One of the most common myths about addiction medicine is that it’s only for psychiatrists. But actually physicians from any specialty are well-positioned to treat patients with substance use disorders and can become board-certified in it. Addiction medicine is a recognized subspecialty with its own training and board certification. In fact, many patients with addiction issues are seen outside of psychiatric settings.
There’s also a persistent misunderstanding about what treatment looks like. People often expect immediate abstinence or assume that relapse means failure or that treatment is just talk therapy. But that’s not how we approach other chronic illnesses. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition. Treatment is often long-term and includes a mix of behavioral support, medications, and sometimes repeated episodes of care. Medications like buprenorphine or methadone are still met with skepticism by some clinicians and the public, but they are among the most evidence-based treatments we have.
What kinds of career opportunities exist in addiction medicine? Do you see a shortage of addiction medicine specialists today?
There’s a wide range of work settings that most physicians don’t get exposed to during training. There are roles in opioid treatment programs (ie, “methadone clinics”), residential rehab centers, correctional facilities, specialty outpatient clinics, and hospital-based consult teams. Each setting comes with its own patient population, workflow, and clinical focus, which keeps the work interesting. It’s a field that can match a lot of different personalities and skill sets.
The job market is good right now. I regularly come across new openings that span a mix of clinical, administrative, and even fully nonclinical roles. There’s demand in both in-person and remote positions.
We believe that when physicians lead, healthcare advances. What is your advice for physicians who are already in, or aspiring to be in, leadership roles?
Leadership doesn’t have to mean climbing a traditional ladder or landing a hospital title like CMO or department chief. Physicians lead every day in ways that aren’t always recognized. This can be something like shaping clinical workflows, mentoring others, or setting standards in nonclinical roles. In many unconventional paths, leadership is part of the job by definition. Roles like medical director, consultant, or even independent contractor often require making strategic decisions, guiding teams, and being the clinical voice in broader organizational efforts.
That broader view of leadership is one of the reasons I chose to publish my books through the American Association for Physician Leadership. The AAPL supports physicians in all types of roles (clinical and nonclinical) and they recognize that leadership shows up in different forms. For physicians interested in leadership positions, my advice is to start where you are. Take ownership of your work, look for opportunities to guide or improve something, and don't underestimate the experience you already have.
