When I retired in 2017 after 17 years as corporate chief medical officer for AdventHealth, I did so with intention. My advice when you’re approaching retirement is simple: have a plan. Don’t wake up that first morning and ask your spouse what you’re going to do today. You alone are responsible for your happiness and your sense of purpose in retirement.

For me, that purpose has centered on family, travel, golf, and executive leadership coaching­—my new retirement part-time career.

Family is at the heart of everything. Between Orlando and Tennessee, we spend time with our three children and five grandchildren, including identical twin granddaughters who bring energy and joy to our home.

Traveling provides social time and exciting opportunities to be with friends and family. I play golf twice a week with a group of “old-guy golfers.” I’m not particularly good, but the laughter and friendship mean more than the score. Further afield, my wife, Loretta, and I have enjoyed European river cruises and an unforgettable family trip to Alaska. We will be visiting London and Paris this year during early December, which will be beautiful at Christmas. Next on the list are the Baltics and Scandinavia. We want to do as much exploring as we can while we’re healthy enough to enjoy it. Golfing and traveling help bring purpose and joy to my life.

And then there’s leadership coaching, which keeps me connected to medicine and which I get a deep sense of fulfillment from. Through the AdventHealth Leadership Institute, I coach young physicians and leaders. I remind them that every physician is a leader, whether in the exam room, the ward, or the boardroom. I enjoy helping young physicians and leaders develop emotional intelligence, trust, and effective communication skills. When I finish a good coaching session, my wife says she can see it on my face. It’s deeply rewarding to give something back to the profession that shaped my life and to the next generation of leaders.

That calling began at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where I gained a Christian medical education. I am deeply grateful for my time at Loma Linda, including in medical school, private practice, and on the faculty. I am also appreciative of the opportunity AdventHealth gave me to become a physician executive and now help to train the next generation of leaders.

Having a purpose in retirement by connecting with friends and family, traveling, and giving back to my profession, fills me with joy.