Designing a Career That Fits: Clinical Care, Research & Teaching

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, we sit down with Bo Hoon Lee, MD, child neurologist and associate director for the Child Neurology Residency program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, to talk about what it really means to design a career that fits.Bo shares how she built a role that blends clinical care, clinical trials research, and teaching without forcing herself into a traditional 80/20 academic model. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, the importance of learning when to say no, and how writing down where her time was actually going helped her realign her work with her values.We also discuss how to intentionally insert yourself into opportunities, how to build strong mentor–mentee relationships, and why defining your own version of success is critical in academic medicine.If you have broad interests, are questioning how to narrow your focus, or are trying to imagine what a sustainable, fulfilling career in medicine can look like. Bo's story is a reminder that you don’t have to choose just one lane. You can shape medicine to fit you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bo's Journey02:24 The Influence of Mentorship in Medicine05:08 Choosing Rochester: A Personal Journey07:41 Balancing Clinical Care, Research, and Teaching10:30 The Importance of Time Management and Prioritization12:59 Navigating Career Paths in Medicine15:33 The Role of Clinical Trials in Pediatric Neurology18:07 Building Strong Mentor-Mentee Relationships20:41 Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation23:05 Defining Success in a Medical Career25:25 Advice for Aspiring Medical ProfessionalsMore about Dr. Lee: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/112360810-bo-hoon-leeChild Neurology Residency Program: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/education/graduate-medical-education/prospective-residents/child-neurology