As a resident physician, are you thinking about where you want to build your future in medicine? Meet Suzanna Fox, MD, an ob-gyn in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Advocate Health, and a featured voice in the AMA’s “Finding My Place in Medicine” series.
In this series, physicians reflect on what influenced their personal decisions when choosing where to work—and what they wish they had known earlier. Explore Dr. Fox’s journey to help guide your own path toward a fulfilling medical career.
If you are looking for your first physician job after residency, get your cheat sheet now from the AMA. In addition, the AMA Transitioning to Practice series has guidance and resources on deciding where to practice, negotiating an employment contract, managing work-life balance, and other essential tips about starting in practice—including in private practice.
“Following” Dr. Suzanna Fox
Specialty: Obstetrics and gynecology.
Practice setting: Health system.
Employment type: Employed by Atrium Health—now part of Advocate Health—in Charlotte, North Carolina. Advocate Health is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
Years in practice: 34 years—28 years as a practicing ob-gyn and six years as a physician executive, currently serving as the chief physician executive for Advocate Health.
Key factors that led me to choose to work at Advocate Health: During my residency, I was able to work not only with our faculty but also with the practices and physicians within the community. It became evident very early on that the culture they were developing was one where I knew I could thrive. People worked exceptionally well together and were always willing to lend a hand to help. Atrium Health has a “For All” mission and does not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay and this was also very important to me.
What stood out to me during the interview and hiring process: I was hired as a second-year resident based on my performance and working relationship with one of the practices in the community. I did not go through a formal interview process but had spent many hours working with the physicians within the group.
How feedback from peers and mentors influenced my evaluation process: During residency, I forged a great working relationship with a resident one year ahead of me and we knew we wanted to practice together.
When the opportunity arose to open a new location for one of the local groups in the community, we knew that it was the right decision. My husband—also an ob-gyn physician—and I loved Charlotte, and he was offered a job at a different practice in Charlotte with a great reputation. After 34 years, he still practices with that group.
Why I chose to work for a health system rather than another kind of practice setting: In 1995, there were very few hospital-owned practices. Completing my residency at the same hospital that owned the practice I joined gave me confidence in the stability of the practice without having to take on “running the business.” I had already developed trust with the organization, and it has served me well during my entire career. I will always be eternally grateful for the opportunities I have been given.
The top three qualities for a great place to work: Ensuring that physicians feel supported and valued. A career in medicine is exceptionally rewarding but can also come at a personal cost in regard to the hours worked and the immense responsibility of caring for patients. With that, it is important that physicians are given the tools they need to be successful, which include the appropriate resources, developmental opportunities, and well-being support.
Communication and trust are also critically important to create an environment where people feel like they belong. This also creates access and continuity of care for our patients who will always be at the center of the work we do.
How Advocate Health supports physician well-being and work-life balance: With the support of our CEO and executive leadership we have established the “Best Place to Care” initiative. We are committed to taking the best care of our physicians and nonphysician providers so that they may, in turn, take the best care of our patients.
Physicians who feel supported have better job satisfaction and in turn are more likely to stay with the same practice or organization. Within this work we focus on recruitment and onboarding, workplace efficiency—to really enhance the time our physicians spend with patients—and culture and well-being, ensuring our physicians feel valued and supported. We do this through regular communication and rounding as well as offering networking events, prioritizing recognition, and creating many developmental opportunities to advance in leadership roles.
Workplace attributes that have contributed to my job satisfaction: Physician leaders play a great part in the strategy and development of service lines. Being physician-led allows physicians and nonphysician providers to advocate for each other in all aspects of clinical care and best practice.
The biggest challenges I faced when transitioning from residency to practice: Despite being very well trained, becoming fully autonomous in practice takes time. Having supportive colleagues was very helpful.
Trying to balance family life and work with three young children and a physician spouse took some juggling but it was the partnership that made it easier and fulfilling. Realizing that it is OK to ask for help and that you don’t need to know everything or be perfect is important. Find your “people” early.
What I wished I had known about evaluating a job offer: I wasn’t looking for a job when I was offered one, but it was the perfect opportunity for me, and I wouldn’t change a thing about where I chose to practice and who with.
