'I just want to live for myself': Doctor quits 20-year medical career at 48 to run a bun shop
For more than two decades, Dong Min worked as a doctor . She studied medicine, worked as a gynaecologist and later took on the added responsibility of helping run a community hospital.
Then, at 45, she walked away from medicine.
Three years later, the 48-year-old is running a steamed stuffed bun shop in Wuhan, China, and has opened a second outlet. She works for more than 10 hours a day, but says she feels happier with her new life.
According to South China Morning Post, Dong left her medical career in 2023 and started working in the steamed bun business in Wuhan, Hubei province. What began as a major career change has since turned into a growing business.
For Dong, however, the decision was not primarily about money. It was about leaving behind the pressure that had come with her work as a doctor.
“When I was a doctor, the thought of quitting often crossed my mind. Now, running a bun shop keeps me busy and tired, but I am so happy that I can’t stop,” she told the publication.
From gynaecologist to hospital administrator
Dong graduated from Wuhan University School of Medicine in 1999 and began her career as a gynaecologist in Shenzhen.
She later returned to Wuhan to help her mother run a private clinic. After her mother retired, the clinic was closed and the family returned to their hometown of Tianmen in Hubei.
Dong continued working as a doctor and also became the legal representative of a small community hospital. The position brought responsibilities that went beyond treating patients.
She had to deal with administrative work, government inspections and medical disputes. As the hospital’s legal representative, she could also be held responsible when disputes arose.
“As a doctor, I faced considerable mental stress,” Dong said, according to the South China Morning Post. She said that a large part of her time and energy went into dealing with non-medical responsibilities, including frequent inspections by government agencies.
The pressure eventually made her question whether she wanted to continue in medicine.
How a doctor started making buns
Dong's move into the food business began in 2023 after a friend introduced her to a family that ran a steamed stuffed bun shop.
She initially invested in a bun business. But when the chef unexpectedly resigned, Dong had to learn how to make the buns herself.
She picked up the skill and gradually began enjoying the work. What started as a practical solution soon became a possible new career.
Dong eventually decided to leave medicine altogether and focus on the shop.
The decision was not easy for her family to accept. They had viewed being a doctor as a stable and respected profession, and were initially opposed to her decision to give it up.
Dong, however, said she had reached a point where other people's opinions mattered less to her.
“I am nearly 50 years old and have gone through many experiences. I don’t care what others think of me. I just want to live a life I love and live for myself,” she said.
‘It is never too late to make a change’
Dong's first outlet has since grown into a successful business, and she opened a second store in July.
Her new work is not necessarily easier. She spends more than 10 hours a day running the shop, but says the exhaustion feels different from the pressure she experienced in medicine.
Her mother and brother eventually accepted her decision and have occasionally helped her at the store.
For Dong, the change has also meant choosing a life based less on what is considered respectable and more on what she wants for herself.
“There is no definitive answer in life. It is never too late to make a change. I hope to run my bun store until I can no longer move,” she said.
Then, at 45, she walked away from medicine.
Three years later, the 48-year-old is running a steamed stuffed bun shop in Wuhan, China, and has opened a second outlet. She works for more than 10 hours a day, but says she feels happier with her new life.
According to South China Morning Post, Dong left her medical career in 2023 and started working in the steamed bun business in Wuhan, Hubei province. What began as a major career change has since turned into a growing business.
For Dong, however, the decision was not primarily about money. It was about leaving behind the pressure that had come with her work as a doctor.
“When I was a doctor, the thought of quitting often crossed my mind. Now, running a bun shop keeps me busy and tired, but I am so happy that I can’t stop,” she told the publication.
From gynaecologist to hospital administrator
Dong graduated from Wuhan University School of Medicine in 1999 and began her career as a gynaecologist in Shenzhen.
She later returned to Wuhan to help her mother run a private clinic. After her mother retired, the clinic was closed and the family returned to their hometown of Tianmen in Hubei.
Dong continued working as a doctor and also became the legal representative of a small community hospital. The position brought responsibilities that went beyond treating patients.
She had to deal with administrative work, government inspections and medical disputes. As the hospital’s legal representative, she could also be held responsible when disputes arose.
“As a doctor, I faced considerable mental stress,” Dong said, according to the South China Morning Post. She said that a large part of her time and energy went into dealing with non-medical responsibilities, including frequent inspections by government agencies.
The pressure eventually made her question whether she wanted to continue in medicine.
How a doctor started making buns
She initially invested in a bun business. But when the chef unexpectedly resigned, Dong had to learn how to make the buns herself.
She picked up the skill and gradually began enjoying the work. What started as a practical solution soon became a possible new career.
Dong eventually decided to leave medicine altogether and focus on the shop.
The decision was not easy for her family to accept. They had viewed being a doctor as a stable and respected profession, and were initially opposed to her decision to give it up.
Dong, however, said she had reached a point where other people's opinions mattered less to her.
“I am nearly 50 years old and have gone through many experiences. I don’t care what others think of me. I just want to live a life I love and live for myself,” she said.
‘It is never too late to make a change’
Dong's first outlet has since grown into a successful business, and she opened a second store in July.
Her new work is not necessarily easier. She spends more than 10 hours a day running the shop, but says the exhaustion feels different from the pressure she experienced in medicine.
Her mother and brother eventually accepted her decision and have occasionally helped her at the store.
For Dong, the change has also meant choosing a life based less on what is considered respectable and more on what she wants for herself.
“There is no definitive answer in life. It is never too late to make a change. I hope to run my bun store until I can no longer move,” she said.
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