Chinese doctor quits medical career after 20 years, finds a simpler new calling

After spending two decades treating patients, a 48-year-old doctor in China made a career switch few people around her expected, she left medicine behind and began making steamed stuffed buns for a living.

Three years later, the decision appears to have paid off, with her shop doing well enough for her to open a second outlet.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Dong Min started her steamed bun business in Wuhan, Hubei province, in 2023 after years in the medical profession.

She had graduated from Wuhan University School of Medicine in 1999 and initially worked as a gynaecologist in Shenzhen before returning to Wuhan to help her mother run a private clinic.

After her mother retired, the clinic was eventually closed and the family returned to their hometown of Tianmen. Dong then took up a position as a doctor and also served as the legal representative of a small community hospital.

But the job came with considerable pressure. Dong told local media that her responsibilities extended well beyond treating patients, with administrative work and frequent inspections adding to the strain. She also said that as the hospital's legal representative, she carried the responsibility when medical disputes arose.

“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,” Dong said, explaining her decision to leave medicine.

Her unlikely journey into the food business began in 2023, after a friend introduced her to the idea of running a steamed bun shop. Dong initially invested in one, but her plans changed when the chef unexpectedly quit.

Rather than walk away, she decided to learn the craft herself. Dong gradually mastered the process of making steamed stuffed buns and discovered that she genuinely enjoyed the work. She eventually left her medical career altogether to focus on the shop.

The decision was initially met with resistance from her family, who viewed being a doctor as a respectable and secure profession. Over time, however, her mother and brother came around to the idea and even began helping at the shop occasionally.

Dong told the South China Morning Post that while running the store can leave her working for more than 10 hours a day, she no longer feels the same psychological pressure she experienced 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 said.

Her business has continued to grow, and she opened a second outlet in July. For Dong, the goal now is simple: to keep doing something she enjoys for as long as she can.

“There is no definitive answer in life. It is never too late to make a change,” she said. “I hope to run my bun store until I can no longer move.”

Dong's story comes amid broader discussion in China about the pressures faced by medical professionals. The South China Morning Post also reported on another doctor who left a 13-year career in a hospital laboratory in 2024 to run a street food stall.

A social-media account focused on Chinese doctors described burnout among medical professionals as an industry-wide issue, pointing to heavy workloads, administrative responsibilities and the pressure associated with patient complaints.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 12:44 IST