I'm always surprised by just how many physicians express their longing for an outlet for, or even an escape from, the relentless pressure to see insanely big numbers of patients a day to keep incomes stable or meet organizational demands. And to hear how stuck they feel about next steps.

Every now and again I encounter a physician who has decided to follow his or her heart.

Lissa Rankin MD is one such person.

Lissa is an OB/Gyn who has sensed a calling as an artist for many years now, and who felt compelled to step away from the rat race and then a bad job situation, and instead permit herself a year off.

Listen to The Entrepreneurial MD Podcast this week, with Dr. Rankin's frank revelations about clinical practice, her journey into the creative life (including that of author and blogger) and her willingness to tolerate and enjoy  "the freefall" that such an adventure entails. Her many months away from practice have been a time of self-discovery and creative exploration, and she is still unsure as to what the next fork in the road will offer. All she knows is that  she is having a lot of fun!

And please come back to The Entrepreneurial MD Blog and share your comments about this insightful and revelatory interview!

PS: Enjoy some of Lissa's striking art at LissaRankin.com and read her funny and candid "yoni musings" at her blog.

Talking to Dr. Steven Knope is an exercise in fascination.

What is this French-horn-playing, Ironman triathletic, 3rd degree black belt-holding Kenpo martial artist up to now?

Stirring the pot of controversy it seems, with his newly released book Concierge Medicine; A New System to Get the Best Healthcare. As a two-time author and full-time practicing internist, Dr. Knope is ready to take on all that is wrong with the everyday practice of medicine.

In this podcast interview with Dr. Knope, you will hear how and why he got started in his concierge medicine practice in Tucson Arizona, along with his counterargument about the "ethics" of how medicine is practiced in the concierge model versus the HMO and third party insurance industry.

Above all, you will hear a physician who is passionately dedicated to improving the overall health of his patients through a relentless focus on customized exercise and nutrition plans along with health education provided without the constraints of "no time to practice properly".

When you are done listening to this intriguing interview, please come back to The Entrepreneurial MD Blog and share your comments and thoughts.