Beyond the White Coat: What 10+ Medics Taught Me About Career Clarity

HealthLista #13

Hey there, Joyce here!

This week, something unexpected happened — I went viral on LinkedIn.
Not with a trend or a hot take, but with a question I was genuinely struggling with:

The post wasn’t just my confusion on display — it became a powerful conversation. Over 10+ healthcare professionals shared their raw, honest journeys.
Some left medicine for Academia.
Some went for MBAs after years of practice.
Others returned to residency with no regrets.
Every story was valid.

🎯 If you're at a crossroads, this is a thread you want to read:
👉 Viral LinkedIn post – Master’s or Residency? 

💡 Health Tool of the Week: OpenHealth.Coop

As a clinician, I often see patients waiting too long to seek care—not because they don’t care, but because they’re unsure whether their symptoms are “serious enough.” That’s where OpenHealth.Coop comes in.

Built by Nigerian medical student and clinician, OpenHealth is an AI-powered triage tool that helps people assess their symptoms, understand potential risks, and get actionable guidance—without stepping into a clinic.

Whether you’re managing chronic symptoms or just feeling “off,” OpenHealth offers:

• 🧠 AI-driven symptom checks that feel like chatting with a health-savvy friend

• ⏱ 24/7 access for peace of mind anytime

• 🌍 Culturally relevant care, built for African users but globally relevant

It’s not here to replace doctors—it’s a first layer of support to empower patients and reduce unnecessary delays in care.

👉 Try it here: openhealthcoop.com

🩺 Beyond Medicine

This week, we spoke with Dr. Kareem Mahmod, a former clinician now working with ChatDok, an AI assistant built to empower patients and providers with connected, personalized healthcare, leveraging secure GenAI and predictive analytics for data-driven decision.

His journey from stethoscope to startup is full of wisdom — and a reminder that clinical skills are transferable, valuable, and needed in tech.

Here’s what he shared with us:

🔍 What inspired your transition into a non-clinical role?

“I wanted to make a broader impact—beyond the limits of one-on-one clinical care. Working with patients was meaningful, but I saw how tech could address bigger systemic problems and make healthcare more accessible. That pushed me to find ways to merge medicine with innovation.”

🚪 How did you get your first role in tech?

“Honestly? A bit of luck, a lot of curiosity, and saying yes to things outside my comfort zone. Six years ago, I couldn’t have imagined working remotely on digital health tools. But I stayed open, and it turns out health tech needs people who speak both 'clinician' and just enough 'tech.'”

🧠 What key skills helped you land your first non-clinical role?

“My clinical background helped me spot real problems in healthcare. Communication was key—I had to explain medical concepts clearly to non-clinical teams(Desisgners, content editors, and engineers) without making it sound like a lecture. Adaptability mattered too; I had to ditch the ego, ask questions, and learn fast. And problem-solving—just like diagnosing a patient—turned out to be a perfect fit for product thinking.”

💬 What advice do you have for clinicians wanting to follow a similar path?

“Don’t underestimate what you already know—your clinical insight is valuable. Stay curious, learning the basics of digital health, product or data will give you a seat at the table, and find your people. Reach out, join meetups, DM folks. Start small—offer feedback, volunteer, get involved. It’s not a straight path, but keep showing up. It adds up.”

🚀 Any health tech trends you’re excited about?

“I’m excited about AI and wearables working together to deliver real-time, personalized care. I also love the rise of cross-industry innovation—healthcare is no longer working in a silo. And Femtech is especially close to my heart. It’s powerful to see women’s health finally getting the attention, empathy, and clinical insight it deserves.”

💼 Job Opportunity of the Week

• Medical associate– Deepc.AI
  Remote, flexible
  Ideal for clinicians interested in AI and evidence-based content
  📝 Apply here 

• Account Manager – SomX Health
  Remote
  Great for medics obsessed with creating content and are great at Lead conversions.
  🌍 Apply here

📌 From one medic to another

If you’re wondering what path to take, remember:

Until next week, keep asking brave questions — even the messy ones. That’s how we grow.
And don’t forget to share HealthLista with a fellow healthcare professional 🌍✨

— Joyce.