I’m a retired doctor. Volunteering at a community clinic gave me an entirely new medical education

After nearly 40 years in clinical medicine, I retired in 2022. While I expected to feel a sense of freedom, quitting medicine brought me an unexpected sense of loss over the thought of decades of accumulated knowledge, experience, and judgment suddenly going to waste.

Volunteering at a nonprofit community clinic gave me the chance to continue using my knowledge and skills. But it also taught me firsthand what I had not learned in private practice: For millions who must pay out of pocket for their health care, the options are very limited. Both community clinics and retired doctors are underutilized resources.