The First Six Months:

Dear New Attending Physicians,

You’ve crossed the finish line of training—but as you’ll quickly realize, it was only the end of one chapter. The first six months as an attending will fly by faster than any residency block you’ve ever experienced. It will be filled with steep growth, surprising realizations, and—most importantly—opportunity. This edition of the newsletter is dedicated to helping you navigate this exhilarating and pivotal phase with clarity and purpose.

🚀 The Curve is Steep, But You’re Ready 

The first half-year will test your adaptability and reinforce just how much you did learn during training. Without lectures or attending supervision, you'll find the art of medicine showing up in your patient interactions. Real-time problem-solving, subtle diagnostic intuition, and nuanced communication will become your greatest teachers. Trust your foundation—your training built it for this moment.

💰 Responsibility: The Power of Financial Intention

For the first time, you’re earning a salary that eclipses anything you’ve seen before. And with it comes immense power—and responsibility. In six months, you’ll have the chance to make financial progress equivalent to what many accomplish in years. Use this wisely. Start strong with habits that will serve your future: build your emergency fund, contribute to retirement, and start investing. These aren’t just financial choices—they’re hedges against stress and regret later.

🧭 Options Will Multiply—Choose Wisely

Now that you’re “attending,” the world sees you differently. Invitations will come—committee roles, hospital groups, social circles that previously felt inaccessible. But amid the excitement, remember: don’t let your title define who you are. Let your character guide your choices, not your credentials. The same goes for financial strategies: whether you’re a “set it and forget it” investor or someone who tracks every dollar—choose a system that aligns with you. The only wrong choice is avoiding one altogether.

🌄 New Horizons: Shape the Life You Want 

By month six, you’ll likely feel the rhythm of your schedule. You’ll find your flow and understand your capacity. This is when things get interesting. You might choose to grind a little harder—extra shifts, moonlighting, or per diem roles to build a strong financial foundation. Or, you might decide to savor your evenings, travel, and enjoy the freedom your career affords. Neither is wrong. What matters is that you begin to consciously shape the life you want—financially, professionally, and personally.

In Conclusion: 

Your first six months as an attending aren’t about perfection—they’re about momentum. Learn with intention, spend with clarity, and grow with humility. This is the season where you begin to write your story—not the one dictated by training or titles—but the one that reflects who you are becoming.

To strong starts and bold futures, 

A.K MD