A Second Act: Finding My Purpose in Medicine
By Laura L. Sessums, JD, MD, ABIM’s Incoming Chief Medical Officer
I had a career in law, and I like to think I was good at it. But I had this lingering sense that it wasn’t what I was supposed to do. I could have continued on that path and done well, but it never felt right. And realizing that was just the beginning of a very long journey.
It took me a while—years, really—to work up the courage to walk away from the legal profession and go all the way back to square one. I hadn’t taken all of the pre-med courses in college, so I had to start with those, study for the MCAT and apply to medical school…in my 30s. I ended up being the oldest person in my med school class, which came with its own set of challenges.
One moment stands out crystal clear in my memory: I had just finished my first biology class at Georgetown. I was surrounded by freshmen—young people who were just starting their undergraduate journeys—and there I was, a practicing lawyer. I walked out of that class, got into my car, and I remember thinking, “This is wonderful! Why didn’t I do this sooner?” I knew immediately I had made the right decision.
Making the leap meant big sacrifices. I left behind a house with a mortgage, good friends, and moved to a new city for medical school. And it wasn’t just the logistics—it was the experience of being in such a different stage of life than most of my classmates. One of them turned 21 while we were in school, and there I was, a full-fledged adult with all the responsibilities that come with that.
People made assumptions. Some thought I was doing this to become a better malpractice lawyer. I had to explain—more than once—that I wasn’t even a malpractice lawyer to begin with. I was a trusts and estates lawyer. But the skepticism followed me through med school, even into residency. There were professors and peers who looked at me sideways, questioning my motivations. But I knew why I was there, and that clarity kept me going.
I’ve now had the privilege of caring for patients from all walks of life—during the easy times, the joyful moments and the profoundly difficult ones. I remember one man in particular. He lived to be 102, and I had cared for him and for his wife before she died from an unusual form of dementia. He was her rock—devoted, gentle and strong. Getting to know patients like him and to support them in sickness and health has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
From the very beginning of med school, once I started seeing patients, I saw the cracks in our healthcare system. That realization has shaped everything I’ve done since. I’ve always asked myself: Where can I make a real difference? How can we improve care for patients while also supporting the people delivering that care?
That’s ultimately what drew me to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). I believe in the power of the credential—not as a formality, but as a way to ensure that physicians have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide the high-quality care patients deserve. It’s part of a broader mission that speaks to the core of why I got into medicine in the first place.
Of course, the challenges are everywhere. Health care is evolving at breakneck speed—from the explosion of new evidence and the integration of artificial intelligence, to the ever-shifting payer landscape, the growing number of physicians employed by large health systems and the daily complexities of technology at the bedside. It’s a lot to manage, and it can be overwhelming. So, I think it’s critical for organizations like ABIM not only to uphold standards, but also to serve as a buffer in this storm—to help physicians navigate these changes without losing sight of what really matters.
Outside of medicine, I try to stay grounded. I love to garden. I’m learning to sea kayak—a hobby that’s quickly becoming a favorite—and I’ve been training to (I hope!) hike Mount Katahdin this fall. We foster cats, and I adore our own. I love biking, traveling, reading and spending time with our grandkids.
Looking back, the road was long and often difficult. But every step—from law to med school to now—has brought me closer to the life I was meant to live. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
I’m honored to have this opportunity with ABIM and look forward to doing all I can on behalf of the profession and physicians who work tirelessly every day to provide the very best care for their patients.
Dr. Sessums will become ABIM’s Chief Medical Officer effective June 2, 2025.
