Lessons from A Career in Military/Academic Oral Surgery… and Retirement with Dr. Butch Ferguson

In this episode, host David Mandell, JD, MBA welcomes Dr. Butch Ferguson, a retired oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Their discussion initially covers Dr. Butch's career journey, including his experience in the US Army Dental Corps, both pros and cons -- beginning with his own training, moving up the command chain, training other dentists and oral surgeons for years.

David and Butch then dive into his decision to leave the military and join Augusta University as a faculty member in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, where he spent a few decades.  Butch discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching in a Level 1 trauma center, dealing with complex surgical cases and severe trauma, as well as the career, financial and business advice he gave to students over the years. 

The discussion concludes covering the topic of retirement, including how Butch was not initially prepared for the transition and the toll that took on him.  They then chat about Butch’s new business and his newfound energy around that.  Their discussion includes Butch’s advice for other doctors approaching retirement on how to “retire well.”

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