In this episode of the Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician Podcast, host David Mandell welcomes Dr. Jacqueline Winkelmann, a pediatric hospitalist and founder of Scrub Sisters. Dr. Winkelmann shares her journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, being inspired by her uncle’s compassion and dedication to medicine, and eventually pursuing pediatrics as her calling. She discusses how financial foresight and a unique tuition waiver allowed her to graduate debt-free, enabling her to maintain a balanced career and family life as a part-time physician at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
(Video Available November 12, 2025 at 6 AM Eastern)
Dr. Winkelmann describes her transition from clinical practice to non-clinical roles in the healthcare industry. Through opportunities that arose organically, she became a consultant and medical advisor for pediatric and consumer health companies, eventually serving as Chief Medical Officer for a baby monitor company. She reflects on the differences between clinical and corporate medicine, emphasizing the need for physicians entering industry to understand the profit-driven mindset of business and to address burnout before pursuing such transitions. Her story highlights the challenges, rewards, and ethical dilemmas physicians may face when moving from patient care to product innovation.
Finally, Dr. Winkelmann discusses her nonprofit organization, Scrub Sisters, a 501(c)(3) community dedicated to supporting and empowering female physicians at all stages of their careers. The group provides mentorship, fosters real-life discussions about work-life balance, and addresses challenges such as mental health, parenting, and financial stress. With chapters in multiple states and countries, Scrub Sisters is rapidly expanding its reach and aims to create scholarship opportunities to help women overcome the financial barriers of medical school applications. The episode concludes with Dr. Winkelmann’s vision for growing this supportive, mission-driven community of women in medicine.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Debt-free education gave Dr. Winkelmann the flexibility to prioritize family and work-life balance throughout her medical career.
- Transitioning to non-clinical roles requires networking, adaptability, and an understanding that industry operates under different motivations than patient care.
- Scrub Sisters is creating a global community where female physicians can connect, mentor, and support one another personally and professionally.
INSIGHTS:
- Dr. Winkelmann’s early financial planning and residency choices shaped her long-term freedom and career satisfaction.
- Real estate investments played a major role in her family’s financial growth and stability.
- Working part-time as a hospitalist helped prevent burnout and maintain family balance.
- The demand for non-clinical physician roles has dramatically increased over the last decade.
- Physicians should address burnout before transitioning to industry roles, as these jobs often come with different pressures.
- Networking remains the primary path to securing non-clinical opportunities.
- Physicians entering industry must understand the distinction between clinical ethics and business priorities.
- Mission-driven companies are more aligned with physician values and patient-centered ethics.
- Scrub Sisters fosters meaningful dialogue about the personal and emotional sides of being a woman in medicine.
- The organization aims to fund scholarships to help offset the high cost of applying to medical school and residency.