Mentorship and Burnout: Navigating Early Career Lessons with Nadia Mostovych, MD

The Pinnacle Prescription

Dr. Nadia Mostovych shares her journey through early career decisions in medicine, focusing on mentorship, burnout, and the transition from residency to practice. She describes her unique path from rhythmic gymnastics to becoming a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, discussing the challenges and insights gained along the way. The conversation highlights the importance of finding the right specialty, navigating job offers, and recognizing red flags in career choices—especially for women in medicine. Dr. Mostovych also opens up about the complexities of starting her own medical practice, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating expectations in a new role, and the business side of medicine. She discusses the breaking point that led her to seek independence and her current efforts to establish a new practice while balancing family life. Dr. Mostovych underscores the significance of trusting one’s instincts and taking calculated risks in a career filled with uncertainties.

Takeaways:

• The competitive nature of surgery, particularly for women, makes mentorship, supportive colleagues, and careful contract negotiation essential.
• Nadia pursued a fellowship in facial plastic surgery to align her surgical skills with her artistic eye and desire to help patients feel confident.
• Transitioning from residency to practice comes with challenges, including understanding contracts, navigating referrals, and recognizing red flags in job offers.
• From learning the business of medicine to building a new practice, Nadia emphasizes the importance of calculated risks, planning, and trusting your instincts.

Dr. Nadia Mostovych is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon currently building her private practice in Bend, Oregon. After completing ten years of medical training—including residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery—she spent four years in private practice before relocating to Oregon. Dr. Mostovych is passionate about the intersection of art and surgery and finds purpose in helping patients feel more confident in themselves. She’s actively involved in mentorship and committed to supporting others—both in and outside of medicine—to reach their goals.

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