How a Primary Care Doctor Becomes President of American Diabetes Association (Ft. Dr. John Anderson)
Finding Meaning and Balance in Medicine: Lessons in Volunteerism and Diversifying Your Medical Career
Hello everyone – Dr. Rob Beck here from The Interesting MD Podcast. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what comes next in a medical career, or how to stave off burnout while staying enthusiastic about medicine, you’re not alone. Physicians across all specialties face these questions daily. I recently sat down with Dr. John Anderson, former President of Medicine & Science at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and a long-time mentor of mine, to discuss how engaging in meaningful activities outside the clinic can reinvigorate your practice – and your life.
In this post, I’ll share some of the incredible insights from our conversation, including actionable steps for getting involved in medical organizations, advisory boards, research, and medical education. If you’re looking to grow beyond patient care, avoid burnout, or simply want more out of your medical career, read on!
Why Volunteerism Matters in Medicine
When you think of a "former President of the American Diabetes Association," you might imagine someone who always aspired to leadership and prestige. The truth, as Dr. Anderson shared, is far more relatable: it all started with a bit of volunteerism and a willingness to say yes when new opportunities arose.
Dr. Anderson didn’t set out to climb the ranks of the ADA or become the nation’s go-to expert on diabetes. Rather, by showing up, being reliable, and passionately supporting causes he believed in, doors opened naturally. He began by volunteering at the local level, lending his expertise to raise funds and awareness for diabetes. Over the years, his involvement grew from local chapters to state, regional, and ultimately national leadership.
The lesson? Volunteerism is accessible to everyone in medicine. No matter your specialty or stage in your career, there’s a place for you. Whether you’re just out of residency or navigating the grind of mid-career practice, volunteer work can enrich your professional life and ignite purpose beyond the exam room.
How to Get Started: Practical Advice for Physicians
A common question I hear is, “How do I break into these opportunities?” Dr. Anderson’s answer was refreshingly simple: You don’t need world-class credentials or a mountain of experience to make a difference. What organizations and industry partners want, first and foremost, is someone who consistently shows up, participates actively, and brings passion to the table.
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Identify Your Passion
Find an area of medicine that excites you. It may be diabetes, cardiovascular health, mental wellness, medical education, or any number of clinical or public health spaces. Passion translates into longevity and impact.
2. Show Up and Get Involved
Most organizations—like the ADA, American Heart Association, or Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)—welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. Start by attending local meetings, connecting with existing volunteers, and offering to help, even if that means performing smaller, behind-the-scenes tasks.
3. Leverage Your Expertise
As you become known as the local expert (even if you don’t feel like one yet!), opportunities will arise—like speaking to journalists, engaging in community outreach, or serving on committees. Your real-world clinical experience is incredibly valuable to these organizations.
4. Network and Keep an Open Mind
Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people at conferences and professional society meetings. Express your willingness to speak, write, or contribute in other ways. Networking isn’t just for businesspeople; it’s crucial in medicine too!
Beyond Volunteerism: Opportunities with Industry and Education
As you get more involved, your experiences and expertise can also translate into paid opportunities with industry partners (pharma, device companies), medical education companies like Medscape or the Annenberg Center, or speaker bureaus such as Pri-Med. Dr. Anderson highlighted that these roles aren’t just personally rewarding—they’re often financially advantageous, paying well for your time and offering flexibility to balance your primary clinical practice.
Honing skills like public speaking, using a teleprompter, presenting at conferences, and being easy to work with will make you stand out. Remember, industry partners and CME (Continuing Medical Education) providers are always on the lookout for knowledgeable, reliable, and personable physicians who want to educate others.
Balancing Family, Practice, and Professional Growth
A major concern for many physicians, especially those with young families, is the time commitment involved in outside projects or leadership roles. Dr. Anderson’s journey illustrates that it’s not only possible to balance work, volunteerism, and family—it’s essential for long-term satisfaction.
He remained active in his children’s lives, coaching sports and attending school events, even while taking on greater roles as his career progressed. When his kids were young, his volunteer work was primarily local and flexible; national and international commitments grew only once his family was older.
Pro tip: There’s no one-size-fits-all path. Start local, set boundaries, and expand as your circumstances allow. Many opportunities can even supplement your income, helping pay off student loans or save for college tuition, as Dr. Anderson pointed out.
Recharging Your Passion and Preventing Burnout
One of the most powerful insights from our conversation was how diversifying your professional activities can actually prevent burnout. Stepping outside the daily grind of seeing patient after patient allows you to reconnect with the reasons you became a physician in the first place.
Whether it’s educating hundreds of colleagues at a national conference, influencing public policy for patient advocacy, or writing articles that reach thousands, these experiences remind you that your work has impact far beyond the walls of your clinic.
Key Takeaways for Physicians at Every Stage
Start with what excites you and find organizations or causes that align with your interests.
Be proactive: volunteer, network, and express your willingness to help.
Broaden your skill set—learn to speak, write, and teach.
Balance is possible: tailor involvement to fit your phase of life and professional goals.
Don’t underestimate your value: organizations, communities, and industry partners desperately need your expertise.
Final Thoughts
As doctors, we’re more than just caregivers in an exam room. Our experience, training, and compassion make us uniquely qualified not only to treat individual patients but to shape the future of healthcare and medical education. If you’re feeling stuck or burned out, consider making space for volunteerism, education, or industry collaboration—you’ll be surprised by how much it energizes both your career and your personal life.
Have questions or want advice on getting started? Reach out to me through The Interesting MD’s social channels or via email. And if you’d like to learn more, check out my full conversation with Dr. John Anderson on the podcast!
To keep up with more insights on physician wellness, career growth, and life outside the clinic, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow The Interesting MD on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and X (@InterestingMD)!