Buying In, Not Selling Out

Leaving the Frontlines for...Administration?!?

Last week, I shared why I’m joining Commons Clinic. The response has been overwhelmingly positive — from co-workers and patients to my wider healthcare network. Yet, despite the well wishes, there’s an elephant in the room — I’m leaving direct patient care. Joining Commons means I’m another physician stepping away from practice, a concerning trend given growing doctor shortages.

Dr. Brian Fuller, a fellow joint replacement surgeon and friend, succinctly pointed this out:

He’s not wrong—but I never really thought of it this way. Technically, I am leaving medical practice for an “administrative” role. I realize that word has certain bureaucratic connotations in healthcare, but this isn’t that kind of role. Commons Clinic isn’t a large incumbent; it’s rebuilding care delivery from the ground up.

We’re David against healthcare Goliaths—and I’m the rock in Commons’ sling.

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Why My Situation is Unique

If I do my intended job, my departure from the frontlines will be a net win for physicians and patients everywhere. The opportunity to drive system-level change is a big part of why I decided to make this jump. I’ll never forget where I came from or the path that led to this decision. My background is unique and perfectly positions me to make this transition.

Here’s why:

• Clinical Track Record: 17 years in high-volume practice, PE-backed MSO, ASC co-owner, multiple quality awards, real world VBC success

• Leadership & Governance: AAOS course committee, AAHKS committee Chair, journal Editorial Board, Total Joint Medical Director, MSK Quality Collaborative

• Innovation & Thought Leadership: MBA, startup advising, angel investing, 33k+ LinkedIn network, blog Editor-in-Chief

While I can’t claim every move was carefully plotted, they all served a greater purpose — bringing me one step closer to high-level career evolution. I wasn’t ready to make this move 15, 10, or even 5 years ago. I simply didn’t have the full complement of skills: clinical expertise, healthcare business experience, startup/innovation chops, and a strategic mindset. Getting there required exploration and adaptation.

My uncommon combination of experience and expertise sets me apart. Commons Clinic is the perfect opportunity and natural next step along my career path. As I detailed last week, it’s a clinical-first, system-rebuilding effort to realign incentives, elevate clinical excellence, and restore care to something we can be proud of.

Time will tell, and there are no guarantees in the startup world. But I know Commons and Commons knows me. We’re mission and visioned aligned, and I’m joining at the perfect time.

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You Are Who You Are

It’s common in medicine (and other high stakes, high achieving fields) for your job to define you. I never felt that way about being a physician and surgeon. I approached the profession with drive, humility, a growth mindset, a commitment to constant improvement, and the pursuit of excellence because those traits are inherently part of who I am. They aren’t going away with this new role—they’re being amplified.

As Posdnuos, a member of the legendary hip hop group De La Soul once said:

I've always walked the right side of the road, if I wasn't making song, I wouldn't be a thug…
But a man with a plan, and if I was a rug cleaner, bet you Pos'd have the cleanest rugs…

The point is, whatever role you’re in, do it with care, pride, and precision. Excellence isn’t about what you’re doing, it’s about who you are. That’s how I practiced medicine and performed surgery. That’s how I’ll approach this next chapter too.

I won’t forget where I came from or how I got here. I’m just applying those lessons to a different problem now. The past paves a road to the future. My future is to help build a better system for all.

I’m not selling out; I’m buying into a new way forward—one that I get to help build.

Of course, what Commons Clinic is trying to accomplish can’t be done alone. In this role, I’ll lean on my network more than ever. We’re building something new. If you’re a clinician, operator, policymaker, or simply someone who believes healthcare can be better, we’d love for you to join us.

I’m leaving the frontlines, but I’ll still be right here.

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Ben Schwartz, MD, MBA

Editor-in-Chief, The Surgeon’s Record

SVP, Care Services & Strategy

ben@commonsclinic.com