Becoming a physician was once a straightforward and reliable path to financial freedom. It may have required a delayed career start and some student loans, but these were small hurdles on the pathway to a promising and fulfilling career and, ultimately, a comfortable retirement. Fast forward to today, and the economics of becoming of physician have changed dramatically.

The average medical school debt now exceeds $215K, excluding undergraduate education. This represents a four-fold increase from 1978 (adjusted for inflation), yet corresponding salaries have not risen anywhere near this amount. In addition, what was once a rewarding career is now, for many, filled with inefficient EMRs, insurance paperwork and billing documentation, longer hours, and less time with patients. It’s no wonder, at Artemis, we often hear the same question from physicians: “How long before I can retire?”

The financial challenges that physicians face are not insurmountable, but they do require long-term, advanced planning. Physicians, perhaps more than any other professionals, need to start their financial planning early on. Our Physician Wealth practice is led by Mark Haser, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and MBA, who has worked with numerous physicians (including his wife and sister). Mark understands the unique challenges that physicians and other healthcare professionals face, and he is passionate about helping them achieve financial freedom.