Learn About Me, Your Host, John Jurica

Something about me: I'm dedicated to inspiring, encouraging, and teaching you how to overcome burnout, and complete a career transition if those are your goals.

If you're unfulfilled, burned out, or simply unchallenged by your current clinical career, and you long to enter a new phase of your profession that's exciting and satisfying, then Physician NonClinical Careers Podcast is the place to start. Each week I present another interview, or personally address a topic, that will give you the tools needed to pursue that new career.

If you want to embark on a career as a physician leader, the VITAL Physician Executive blog will provide inspiration and practical advice. Here is where you'll acquire the skills, and identify the resources you need to become a successful physician executive.

Here's My Promise

You'll be inspired by my guests, as we talk about overcoming fears, addressing burnout, and embarking on a new career. You'll learn the specific steps from experts about pursuing careers in:

  • Life Insurance Medicine
  • Medical Informatics
  • Pharma and Medical Device Industries
  • Utilization Review
  • Clinical Documentation Improvement
  • Health, Fitness, and Nutrition Coaching
  • Entrepreneurial Ventures
  • Telehealth
  • Disability Insurance
  • Medical Writing
  • Quality Improvement
  • Hospital Management

Through solo episodes and blog posts, you can begin to master:

  • Leadership skills
  • Management skills
  • Steps in Career Transition
  • Quality Management
  • Resume Writing Skills
  • Interviewing Techniques
  • Negotiation
  • Important Aspects of Health Law

And much more.

Every blog and podcast episode provides links to important resources, including:

  • Other blogs posts and podcast episodes addressing each topic
  • Critical texts for specific nonclinical careers
  • Free and paid courses from experts in their fields
  • Associations to join
  • Periodicals to review
  • Mentors and coaches to engage

About Me

I'm a successful board-certified Family Physician. I had a very busy practice and was respected and admired in my community.

But something was missing. I was drawn to committees and projects that addressed population health issues, and quality and patient safety at my hospital. I was driven to lead such activities. Six years into my practice, while working full-time, I felt compelled to complete a master's degree in public health.

With the help of a mentor, I came to realize that I could have a MUCH bigger impact on the care of patients by taking a leadership role at my hospital. I became involved with the Accreditation Council for CME and helped to promote high-quality education for practicing physicians. Shortly thereafter, I began taking business courses through the American Association for Physician Leadership.

I volunteered with nonprofit organizations, and served on the boards of my hospital, the county health department, and a local hospice. And I experienced the satisfaction of positively impacting the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of patients.

My greatest impact occurred after I became Vice President for Medical Affairs and then Chief Medical Officer at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois. This is a highly rated, 300-bed, full-service community hospital.

And, along the way, I completed the requirements as a Certified Physician Executive (CPE), through the Certifying Commission in Medical Management.

You can learn more about me by listening to this interview of me, by David Draghinas at Doctors Unbound:

My Mission

I now use this blog and podcast to inspire, inform and support physicians who wish to pivot to a nonclinical career. I focus my efforts on those careers that build on, and often require, medical and residency training, board certification and 3 to 5 years of clinical experience.

I especially enjoy working with physicians pursuing a career in hospital or medical group management.

My vision is to eliminate burnout in physicians and to inspire them to take a leadership role in whatever nonclinical career they choose.

Here are some comments from those I have already helped:

“I just listened to the podcast with John Jurica and I found it so liberating and refreshing. I feel like for the first time I now have much better insight into what I am feeling as a newly minted early career physician in clinical practice.” – Anonymous

“I am an avid listener of your podcast. I have truly enjoyed hearing all of the interviews you've had with physicians who have non-clinical careers. I hope to be one of them one day, even in a part-time role.” – N.A.

“I've been listening to your podcasts with great interest, always gaining more knowledge and wisdom from each episode. Thank you for sharing your insights and for interviewing incredible and inspiring people who shed light on this much-needed topic.” – C.V.

“It has been a pleasure listening to your podcast for the past two months. As a third-year medical student already considering non-clinical work, I was worried that I was turning my back on what I came to school for. You helped me recognize the magnitude of ways an MD can serve and impact lives – just without a white coat on.” – S.L.

Personal Stuff

 

My wife, Kay, is my biggest supporter. We've been married for 17 years. She is an entrepreneur and owner/operator of an in-home care company called Home Helpers of Bourbonnais. She and I have five grown children. We live outside of Chicago.

My other interests include competing in track and field events (the 50-, 100-, and 200-meter dash) through the National Senior Games and USATF Masters events, playing bluegrass guitar, and studying foreign languages (I'm working on French now).

If you want to join me and others on this journey, then be sure to sign up for my regular emails.

In the emails, I provide updates on each new blog post and podcast episode, interesting articles, inspiration and encouragement, and resources from other sources that will help you on your career journey.

Go ahead and sign up for my podcast at Physician NonClinical Careers right now!

You can also contact me via email at john.jurica.md@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!