From Pediatric Cardiology to Physician Development Coaching

Dr. Sue Maclellan-Tobert is a retired pediatric cardiologist with a career spanning over 30 years, specializing in echocardiography and complex heart diseases. Now retired, she is a Master Certified Physician Development Coach and an Associate Certified Coach through the International Federation of Coaching—considered the gold standard in coaching. Unlike life coaching, her focus is on career coaching, helping physicians manage burnout and enhance well-being. 

She also co-hosts an Influent Network Podcast with her husband, Meet the Toberts: Thriving In and Out of Medicine, where they share insights from over 80 years of combined medical experience, navigating both the challenges of their careers and personal lives. Together, they discuss topics such as raising a family, enduring career shifts, and coping with loss. Dr. Tobert continues to serve as a compassionate mentor and advocate for well-being in the medical community, empowering physicians to rediscover joy in their work and balance in their lives.

Tell our audience a little bit about yourself.

I’m a mom of three grown daughters, and raising them was one of the biggest highlights of my life. I’ve spent a good portion of my career being a hockey mom, as two of my girls played hockey. I love gardening, and I’m also a Pilates fanatic—keeping my core strong as I age is a big priority for me. I do volunteer work, including serving as a board member and vice-president for Adult & Teen Challenge of Western Wisconsin, a Christian ministry-based program for women recovering from addiction. I’m also a medical advisor for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, helping grant wishes for children with terminal or progressive illnesses. After 30 years of practicing medicine, I retired eight months ago, which has been a big transition. However, I now have more time to focus on physician development coaching, something I started doing six years ago and have now turned into my own entrepreneurial venture. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support physicians in navigating their careers and well-being.

Did you always know you wanted to be a physician?

I discovered my passion for medicine during my teenage years. I was fascinated by human biology and science, and this naturally led me toward a medical career. I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, and pursued pre-medical studies at the University of Alberta alongside my future husband. Pediatrics quickly became my focus because I love kids and feel deeply connected to helping them. During my training at Mayo Clinic, I developed a passion for pediatric cardiology, particularly echocardiography and working with children with complex heart disease.

What inspired you to continue through the challenges of pediatric cardiology?

Children are inspiring. They are the bravest individuals I’ve ever met, and their ability to embrace life despite their battles is extraordinary. Working with children allowed me to stay young at heart, and connecting with families to ensure their needs were met brought me immense fulfillment. Even through tough health trials, seeing those children reach adulthood and start their own families made my career incredibly rewarding.

What advice would you give your younger self?

It’s essential to set boundaries early on. The demands of pediatric cardiology, especially in smaller medical centers where there may be only a few specialists, can be overwhelming. While I managed to balance family and work, I wish I had been more intentional about aligning my values with my work and creating better boundaries. Younger me needed to recognize that work will always be there, but family moments are fleeting. Take time to reflect on your priorities and give yourself space for personal growth.

How did your mindset shift from medical school to residency to practice?

The shift from medical school to residency—and then to practice—required a lot of adaptation. Immigrating from Canada to the U.S. was challenging, in part, because we left behind life-long support systems. However, the independence I gained when I started practicing was liberating. Transitioning from being under the teaching umbrella to working autonomously allowed me to branch out and take ownership of my medical career.

What has been the biggest catalyst for your growth?

My biggest catalyst for growth came when I was facing personal health challenges and career exhaustion. When my children finished high school, I found myself completely drained, physically and mentally. This was a pivotal moment. It pushed me to reevaluate my career and prioritize my well-being. It’s often during our darkest moments that we realize change is necessary. For me, scaling back my medical work and eventually retiring was essential to restoring balance and health in my life.

Do you believe in following intuition, especially in medicine?

Absolutely. While medicine is increasingly driven by algorithms and evidence-based practices, I believe there’s still a place for intuition. Medical training focuses on learning core principles, but a lot of what we do requires gut instinct and nuance. I’ve learned that listening to your intuition, even in life outside of medicine, can lead to making the tough but necessary choices. Whether it’s shifting careers or taking a step back, trusting your instincts is crucial.

Do you prioritize joy in your life?

Joy is essential, but in medicine, it’s easy to lose sight of it. The weight of human suffering can be overwhelming, and the pressures of corporate medicine make joy feel elusive. However, I’ve learned that joy comes from being present in the moment. Whether it’s getting a hug from a patient or seeing a family thrive, I find joy in the small, meaningful connections. It’s crucial to step out of “automatic mode” and embrace these moments.

What would you like to see change in the future of medicine?

I’d love to see a deeper focus on improving physician well-being. My daughter is in medical school, and I’m encouraged to see that well-being is becoming a topic of discussion early in training. However, we still have a long way to go. It will take several generations to truly shift the culture in medicine to one that values clinician mental health and sets realistic expectations. I believe the future is bright, but we’re in the early stages of this much-needed transformation.