Why A Practicing Anesthesiologist Joined Attend

David Flynn, MD, MBA

Updated:

September 18, 2023

Published:

September 18, 2023

The lack of financial wellness within medicine is one of the most serious problems facing our next generation of doctors.

When I graduated medical school, I was burdened with nearly $384,000 in student loans. Completely overwhelmed by my loan balance, I became depressed and irritable whenever I thought about it, a nearly daily occurrence. It’s clear to me that the next generation of doctors deserve better than this.

I have always had an interest in business and finance. Intrigued by the intersection of medicine and business, I pursued an MBA at Wharton in addition to my medical degree. At one point, I even considered creating a company not too dissimilar from Attend, because I saw a serious gap in the offerings and support available to early-career physicians. Fast forward to today and the gap has regrettably grown even wider. Our medical schools and residency programs teach us how to be physicians, but they still do not provide the practical training required to live healthy lives and have fulfilling careers.

Today I work as an academic anesthesiologist. I did not do a fellowship. I don’t run a research lab. I am not in line to be a program director. These are not for me. Instead, I’ve found my niche in becoming a source of information and advice for peers, residents, and medical students who are trying to figure out how to make the next step in their lives. What field should they choose? Is fellowship right for them? How should they approach financial decisions? Where can they get objective information? Who can they trust? Improving others’ lives became my mission.

But, I am just one person. I do not have all the answers. I am not a career counselor or a certified financial planner. I’ve always wanted to find a way to scale what I do beyond the immediate four walls. I am motivated by my desire to ensure all physicians have access to advice, tools, and education that is trustworthy, non-judgmental, and tailored to the unique trajectory we take.

In Attend, I have found that company.

The lack of financial wellness within medicine is one of the most serious problems facing our next generation of doctors.

When I graduated medical school, I was burdened with nearly $384,000 in student loans. Completely overwhelmed by my loan balance, I became depressed and irritable whenever I thought about it, a nearly daily occurrence. It’s clear to me that the next generation of doctors deserve better than this.

I have always had an interest in business and finance. Intrigued by the intersection of medicine and business, I pursued an MBA at Wharton in addition to my medical degree. At one point, I even considered creating a company not too dissimilar from Attend, because I saw a serious gap in the offerings and support available to early-career physicians. Fast forward to today and the gap has regrettably grown even wider. Our medical schools and residency programs teach us how to be physicians, but they still do not provide the practical training required to live healthy lives and have fulfilling careers.

Today I work as an academic anesthesiologist. I did not do a fellowship. I don’t run a research lab. I am not in line to be a program director. These are not for me. Instead, I’ve found my niche in becoming a source of information and advice for peers, residents, and medical students who are trying to figure out how to make the next step in their lives. What field should they choose? Is fellowship right for them? How should they approach financial decisions? Where can they get objective information? Who can they trust? Improving others’ lives became my mission.

But, I am just one person. I do not have all the answers. I am not a career counselor or a certified financial planner. I’ve always wanted to find a way to scale what I do beyond the immediate four walls. I am motivated by my desire to ensure all physicians have access to advice, tools, and education that is trustworthy, non-judgmental, and tailored to the unique trajectory we take.

In Attend, I have found that company.

The lack of financial wellness within medicine is one of the most serious problems facing our next generation of doctors.

When I graduated medical school, I was burdened with nearly $384,000 in student loans. Completely overwhelmed by my loan balance, I became depressed and irritable whenever I thought about it, a nearly daily occurrence. It’s clear to me that the next generation of doctors deserve better than this.

I have always had an interest in business and finance. Intrigued by the intersection of medicine and business, I pursued an MBA at Wharton in addition to my medical degree. At one point, I even considered creating a company not too dissimilar from Attend, because I saw a serious gap in the offerings and support available to early-career physicians. Fast forward to today and the gap has regrettably grown even wider. Our medical schools and residency programs teach us how to be physicians, but they still do not provide the practical training required to live healthy lives and have fulfilling careers.

Today I work as an academic anesthesiologist. I did not do a fellowship. I don’t run a research lab. I am not in line to be a program director. These are not for me. Instead, I’ve found my niche in becoming a source of information and advice for peers, residents, and medical students who are trying to figure out how to make the next step in their lives. What field should they choose? Is fellowship right for them? How should they approach financial decisions? Where can they get objective information? Who can they trust? Improving others’ lives became my mission.

But, I am just one person. I do not have all the answers. I am not a career counselor or a certified financial planner. I’ve always wanted to find a way to scale what I do beyond the immediate four walls. I am motivated by my desire to ensure all physicians have access to advice, tools, and education that is trustworthy, non-judgmental, and tailored to the unique trajectory we take.

In Attend, I have found that company.

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