Doctoring Differently | Naomi Lawrence-Reid, M.D.

I’m a pediatrician who left full-time clinical academics 6 years ago. I now have 6-7 physician side-gigs that have increased my salary (x5) and allow me to take weeks off at a time. Nobody told me that I could work this way, but glad I took a chance. It’s paying off.

🌟 Meet @DrNaomiLR 🌟 Board-certified pediatrician + founder of @DocDifferently, helping doctors build flexible careers beyond the clinic.💡 From locums to launching a business, she shares real-world insights from her journey. 🔗 2025 Summit details: cvent.me/z3Bqnz

I’ve found new ways to use my medical degree every year since 2017— none of which were taught or recommended by my residency. Locums Per Diem Qbank Author Expert Witness Medical Writer Tech Consultant Aesthetics Injector Social Security Adjudicator Veteran Disability Examiner

Doctor: How do I find a new job? Me: Call a hospital and tell them you want to work there. Doctor: 😧

Doctors will never get paid what they deserve. They’ll get paid what they negotiate.

I wouldn’t call the clinical space crowded, in fact we are chronically overworked and understaffed. But if physicians aren’t sitting at decision-making tables, we have no power to make desperately needed changes to protect our lives and labor.

Not a single doctor should be full-time clinical for more than 5 years.

Doctors, don’t let the thought of trying something new paralyze you. You can do anything.

S2 of the @DCCheerleaders Netflix doc! These women tried to organize for contract negotiations & fair wages (>$15/hr) , but were gaslit, dismissed, intimidated, & ultimately stomped out by the all-powerful Cowboys organization. Any Doctor who has tried to organize can relate 😤

I’m coaching a Peds heme doc who just asked for $600/hr for a virtual research role and got it. JUST ASK. (More accurately, he simply stated his rate and they immediately met it).

Being trauma-bonded with your colleagues is not a good reason to stay at a bad doctor job.

Cool account. Good advice.

Telling doctors they’re “not allowed” to negotiate their contracts and salaries has to be the biggest employment scam around.

If you’re looking for a sign to quit your full-time doctor job and start locums, this is it 🪧

Kaiser posting “wellness” flyers in doctor’s offices urging them to accept that their own (employer-driven) suffering is part of life.

brilliant. this is a real nice tip. thank you @DocDifferently

I would refuse to be scheduled for holidays & holiday weekends.

Asked for 1.5x holiday pay to be put in my contract and admin was stunned (“No doctor has ever asked for that”). But they gave it to me. Hopefully it’ll be easier for the next doctor to negotiate holiday pay.

I’ll be teaching everything I know in a 4 week summer lecture series for U.S. attending physicians. Per-diem, Locums, Expert Witness, Medical Writing, VA disability exams. PLUS How to resign without burning bridges & getting your own health insurance. doctordifferent.kartra.com/page/yGp55

I’ve never gotten a raise I didn’t ask for.