I was naïve coming out of medical school.
After years of relentless training, long shifts, and delayed gratification, I expected to take on the next phase—my financial future—with the same intensity and independence I had used to survive residency. When I found myself finally earning a real paycheck after medical school and residency, the temptation to spend felt justified. “You’re a doctor now,” people would say. “You’ve made it.”
But I hadn’t made it financially. Not really.
There’s a common mentality among physicians of trusting yourself and your own capable hands. But financially, without guidance, that can lead to costly missteps. I did what a lot of us do — I tried to manage it all myself. Budgeting, investing, student loans, retirement planning. I assumed I could figure it out with enough research and willpower. After all, I was smart, disciplined, and used to making high-stakes decisions.
But medicine trains us to trust ourselves above all else. It doesn’t necessarily prepare us to ask for help — especially not with something as personal and vulnerable as money.
That’s why I wish I had known about Curi Capital before I finished my training.
During residency, I met with four or five different financial advisors. They were well-meaning, but none of them really got me. The conversations felt surface-level or generic, not tailored to the unique challenges and psychology of being a physician. Then I met Frances from Curi Capital.
From the first conversation, I knew she was different.
She didn’t talk at me. She listened. She understood the mental load we carry — not just the clinical pressure but the emotional weight of our work, the burnout, the debt, and the constant fear of liability. And most importantly, she understood how physicians think. She knew that once we truly trust someone, it’s a deep, lasting trust — but it takes time and authenticity to earn that.
Frances came to the table with ideas that were specific to me. She brought up things I had never even considered: tax strategies, risk assessments, and aligning financial planning with my values and my spouse’s philosophy. It was never just about checking boxes. It was deeply personal.
What blew me away was how much of the burden she lifted.
“I’m still that independent person who likes to be in control. But I’ve learned that control also means knowing when to delegate. Frances and the Curi Capital team didn’t just give me a plan — they gave me back time and mental space.”
Left to my own devices, many of the important financial decisions would have stayed at the bottom of my to-do list.
Physicians are private by nature. We’re trained to keep things to ourselves. We don’t talk about our finances, our liabilities, or even our stress. But I believe that needs to change. The more we talk about this — openly and without judgment — the more empowered and financially healthy we become as a profession.
“Whether you’re a medical resident or advanced in your career, my advice is simple: Don’t wait.”
Reach out to Curi Capital. Even if you think you don’t need help and especially if you think you can do it all yourself —because I was there too. And I only wish I had taken this step sooner.
Kourtney Kemp, MD, FACS, and Senior Wealth Advisor Frances Cronlund discuss how Curi Capital helps meet the financial needs and opportunities unique to physician clients.
Please note that this testimonial is from a current client of Curi Capital and that the client was not compensated for the testimonial. It should be noted, however, that the client is a member of the board of Curi Capital’s parent company.
The opinions and analyses expressed in the article are based on Curi Capital, LLC's research and professional experience. The information and data in this article do not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Investors should consult with their trusted professionals prior to taking any action.
