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A former doctor in China quit her job as a medical professional to sell steamed buns
Former doctor Dong Min, 48, spent over two decades working in medicine before making the bold choice to leave the industry three years ago.
According to Changjiang Daily, her journey started after she graduated from Wuhan University School of Medicine in 1999. She began her career as a gynaecologist in Shenzhen before returning to Wuhan to help her mother run a private clinic.
Eventually, the pair closed the clinic when her mother retired, and Dr Dong took up a role in her hometown of Tianmen as a community hospital doctor and legal representative.
Managing non-medical demands, dealing with frequent government inspections, and handling potential patient disputes took a severe toll on her mental health
"As a doctor, I faced considerable mental stress," Dr Dong recalled. She noted that bearing full responsibility during medical disputes created immense psychological pressure.
Her path shifted dramatically in 2023 when she invested in a steamed stuffed bun shop in Wuhan. When her chef abruptly resigned, Dr Dong rolled up her sleeves, learned the craft herself, and unexpectedly fell in love with bun-making.
Though her decision initially drew pushback from her family — who viewed medicine as a prestigious profession — Dr Dong stood firm
"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.
Her family eventually rallied behind her, offering extra hands at the store.
Today, her business is thriving so much that she opened a second outlet in July this year
Despite putting in over 10 hours daily, Dr Dong experiences no mental strain.
"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 cannot stop," Dr Dong said, adding that she hopes to run her shop for as long as she physically can.
