The Journey I Didn’t See Coming
For most of my life, I equated being a doctor with being in the clinic. I grew up in a dual physician household with my dad’s private practice in the basement of our home. From middle school on, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. That path felt clear, focused, and familiar.
But somewhere along the way, I began to feel a shift.
After years practicing in a physician-owned multi-specialty group, managing both ambulatory and urgent care, I found myself asking bigger questions about how care was delivered and how systems could work better. I expanded my knowledge within my institution and externally with lean initiatives, process improvement, speaking opportunities, various committees and board work. The desire to do more continued, and around that time, I was introduced to the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) and their Certified Physician Executive (CPE) program. That exposure opened my eyes to a broader path and one that could integrate clinical insight with leadership, systems thinking, and innovation.
From there, my journey expanded. I worked in a federally qualified health center (FQHC), cared for refugees and newborns, supported patients struggling with substance use, and immersed myself in public health, advocacy and nonprofit work. I moved into the payer space—serving both Medicaid and commercial populations—and eventually joined a health insurance startup, helping build care models from the ground up. Along the way, I found myself working alongside founders, accelerators, and innovation teams, advising on payer strategy and expertise from a wide lens view of the healthcare landscape. That exposure to entrepreneurship and public health reinforced how vital physician leadership is outside the clinic and how we can help shape systems, not just response to them.
Through it all, AAPL became a constant thread, providing not just leadership training, but a mindset shift and a network of colleagues. I met physicians doing things I’d never imagined: leading organizations, shaping policy, launching new ventures. The CPE program helped me connect the dots between my clinical foundation and a more expansive form of impact.
This video shares a piece of that story—my pivot from clinical care into something broader. As you watch, you’ll see photos that speak to personal moments:
A first birthday party, and celebration with my parents.
Medical school graduation.
Surgical team scrub photo to identify glove size.
A small but powerful check from my aunt—“Dr. Mamata Majmundar” celebrating the transition from student to MD.
And scenes from my work moderating, leading, connecting all with that same sense of purpose.
If you’re a physician wondering what else is out there, know this—> your clinical experience is not the end, it’s the foundation. There’s a whole world of impact that needs your insight and voice.
And if no one’s told you yet—you’re allowed to lead in your own way.
Between now and next,
Mamata
FYI: AAPL is helping all medical students, residents, and fellows develop skills with their complimentary in-training memberships.
Video Credit: Audigent & https://www.physicianleaders.org
