Hey Doc, It’s Time to Quit

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In the Winter of 1783, at Annapolis, MD, George Washington did something almost unimaginable in human history. He resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army—he quit. King George III, upon hearing the news, reportedly said in stunned disbelief that if Washington truly walked away from power, “he will be the greatest man in the world.” Washington did exactly that. He laid his glory down. Thirteen years later, in 1797, he did it again. After serving two terms as the first President of the United States, he refused a third and returned to private life at Mount Vernon. In doing so, Washington became only the second man in recorded history — after the Roman farmer Cincinnatus — to voluntarily relinquish supreme power not once, but twice. These were not acts of weakness. They were acts of profound courage, humility, and wisdom. America became a republic because Washington refused to become a king, so he quit.

The Power of Quitting

Washington’s greatness was not defined by what he seized, but by what he refused to hold. He understood that true leadership is temporary stewardship, not permanent dominion. By walking away, he proved that power serves the people — not the other way around. His quits established a precedent that has protected American liberty for more than two centuries. Today, physicians face their own test of courage. Many are trapped in employed positions where they have traded autonomy for security. They answer to hospital administrators, insurance executives, and corporate metrics instead of their patients and their conscience. The result? Burnout, moral injury, rushed visits, and a profound loss of joy in the practice of medicine. It is time for physicians to follow Washington’s example. It is time to quit.

Why Physicians Must Quit Their Employed Jobs

Quitting a stable employed position is terrifying. Washington faced enormous pressure too — loyal officers urging him toward monarchy, a fragile new nation, personal financial strain. Yet he chose principle over comfort. Physicians today must make a similar choice:

  • For your patients: Independence restores the sacred doctor-patient relationship. No more 15-minute visits dictated by RVUs. No more prior authorizations standing between you and the right care. You regain the ability to do what is best and right for the person in front of you.
  • For your family: Autonomy brings back evenings, weekends, and presence at home. It reduces the chronic stress that damages marriages and robs you of time with your children.
  • For your sanity and health: The data is clear — loss of autonomy is a primary driver of physician burnout. Reclaiming it is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward professional fulfillment.
  • For your community: Independent physicians, especially those in models like Direct Primary Care, often provide more accessible, transparent, and relationship-driven care. When doctors are free, communities become healthier.

Quitting won’t be easy. Washington’s path wasn’t easy either. There will be uncertainty, financial risk, and the discomfort of building something new. But history shows us that the greatest legacies are forged by those willing to walk away from systems that compromise their principles.

The Path Forward: Return to Independence

Thousands of physicians have already done it. They’ve left hospital employment for Direct Primary Care and other independent models. They report higher satisfaction, dramatically lower burnout, deeper patient relationships, and better clinical outcomes. Washington laid down his sword and his presidential power so that future generations could live free. Today’s physicians can lay down the corporate employment model so they can practice medicine as it was meant to be practiced — with autonomy, integrity, and joy. The greatest thing Washington ever did was quit. The greatest thing you may ever do is quit, too. 

It’s time.

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About Shane Purcell, MD

Dr. Purcell is board certified family physician working in Anderson, SC. He received his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, GA and completed family medicine residency at AnMed Health in Anderson, SC. After completing his residency, Dr. Purcell worked in a private group practice for 3 years before opening his own cash-only primary care clinic in 2005. As he built his cash-only clinic, he was also working part-time in a local urgent care facility. In 2008, he purchased a dormant medical clinic on the “wrong side of the tracks” and opened an urgent care and primary care clinic. After gaining his freedom from third-party captives, Dr. Purcell and a colleague formed the first direct primary care clinic in Anderson County in 2015. In 2019, he transitioned to full-time direct primary care and sold his urgent care. The direct primary care model has brought about a restoration of a relationship with patients broken by third-party middlemen. Now, he can offer more access and more of his time to patients. Dr. Purcell firmly believes that the direct primary care model is the last hope for health care in America. Dr. Purcell is an active member of several medical organizations including the DPC Alliance, Free Market Medical Association, and American Academy of Family Physicians. He is the former Chair of the Direct Primary Care Member Interest Group for the AAFP and a founding member of the DPC Alliance and the Carolina’s Free Market Medical Association. He was elected to the Advisory Committee for the DPC Alliance in the Fall of 2018 and completed his term in 2021. Dr. Purcell is the author of Magic, Pixie Dust, and Miracles: A Guide to Direct Primary Care and Employers which shares how to connect DPC with employers of all sizes. He has spoken about this topic and DPC in general at the DPC Summit, DPC Nuts and Bolts conference, Hint Summit, AAFP FMX, Carolina’s Free Market Medical Association, TedexFurman, and DPC Alliance Mastermind sessions. He continues to speak to residents and student groups about DPC as well.