126. What Happens When Physicians Take Back Control Of Their Careers

<p>In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shahla Moghbel, D.O., a board-certified neurologist based in California who works as an independent contractor, and Dr. Santoshi Billakota, M.D., a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist based in New York City who works full-time in locum tenens.</p><p><br></p><p>They share why they stepped away from traditional physician employment, how they prepared financially for the change, and what doctors need to understand about credentialing, contracts, taxes, benefits, and retirement before going independent.</p><p><br></p><p>They also speak candidly about the identity shift that can come with leaving academic medicine or another traditional institutional path, and learning to separate professional value from institutional affiliation.</p><p><br></p><p>04:54 The shame and identity shift that can come with leaving a traditional career path</p><p>11:34 The random Wednesday that changed Lucas’s definition of freedom</p><p>17:10 Santoshi’s one-year plan for researching and preparing to leave her job</p><p>21:26 Shahla’s strategy of reducing her hours and calculating her minimum financial needs</p><p>27:32 Using locums as a bridge and learning how to negotiate better opportunities</p><p>30:24 The difference between hospital privileges and insurance credentialing</p><p>37:08 Why medical training leaves out contracts and the business side of medicine</p><p>39:47 Moving from W2 employment to 1099 work with support from a lawyer and CPA</p><p>44:10 Solo 401(k) plans, health benefits, and outsourcing financial planning</p><p><br></p><p>Who Should Listen</p><p>This episode is for physicians considering locums, independent contract work, or a move away from academic or employed medicine. It is especially relevant for doctors who want more autonomy but need a practical view of the financial, administrative, and personal decisions involved.</p><p><br></p><p>About Shahla Moghbel, D.O.</p><p>Dr. Shahla Moghbel is a board-certified neurologist based in Walnut Creek, California. She completed her neurology residency at Georgetown University, an administrative and business fellowship at Vituity Stanford, and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at Stanford Medicine. After working in a partnership, she moved into independent contract work across neurology and also does nonclinical work. She co-hosts the Be Empowered podcast, where she and Santoshi speak with physicians about burnout, career changes, and work outside the traditional path.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Shahla Moghbel, D.O.</p><p>💼 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahla-moghbel-d-o-9b834a250" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Shahla Moghbel D.O.</a></p><p><br></p><p>About Santoshi Billakota, MD</p><p>Dr. Santoshi Billakota is a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist based in Brooklyn. After completing residency at Duke, fellowship at Columbia, and an academic appointment at NYU, she left academic medicine and now works full-time as a locums physician while also taking on nonclinical work. She co-hosts the Be Empowered podcast, which focuses on healthcare issues, including topics concerning women.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Santoshi Billakota, M.D.</p><p>💼 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshi-billakota-m-d-176781142" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Santoshi Billakota M.D.</a></p><p><br></p><p>🎙️Connect with Be Empowered: The Podcast</p><p>Spotify: <a href="http://open.spotify.com/show/6pMKbrNI7ITevpdKbTwDT7?si=jZ_RJSl8TEqn1cMyoRnySA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Be Empowered: The Podcast</a></p><p>Apple: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-empowered-the-podcast/id1811696502" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Be Empowered: The Podcast</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="http://youtube.com/channel/UCz8TymAsOWvtOBiwFIrxtxA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Be Empowered: The Podcast</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/Empowermedlife" t