As I write this from Florence, Italy—our final destination on a two-week European journey with my family through London, Paris, Venice, Bologna, and Rome—I’m reflecting on what has been an extraordinary year both professionally and personally. This trip wasn’t meticulously planned; we booked it last minute as one final reset before diving fully into the exciting chapter ahead. But that spontaneity captures something essential about 2025: it was a year of intentional choices, calculated risks, and meaningful transitions.
My First Month at AdventHealth: Renewed Purpose and Excitement
Starting my new role as Director of Cutaneous and Connective Tissue Medical Oncology at AdventHealth has been energizing in ways I didn’t fully anticipate. In my first month, I’ve seen more patients with melanoma and sarcoma than I did in the entire previous year. It’s a testament to how focused and clinically active this role is, and I love it.
I’m back in the clinic with renewed purpose, getting up to speed on clinical trials again, and diving into the cellular therapy in TIL/TCR (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy space. These therapies represent the cutting edge of what we can offer patients who are desperate for something different, something innovative. Partnering with my research team to bring meaningful, compassionate care to these patients is a privilege. It’s deeply rewarding to help expand access to innovative therapies while strengthening institutional research efforts and, most importantly, offering patients additional options close to home.
Beyond clinical care, I’m excited about several other dimensions of this role:
- AI and Medical Informatics: The intersection of artificial intelligence and oncology is exploding with innovation. I’m eager to explore how we can leverage AI to improve patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and advance precision medicine.
- Clinical Trial Partnerships: I’ve already completed credentialing and training. Now it’s about enrolling patients, activating protocols, and partnering with colleagues who have trials and need support. Building a robust clinical research infrastructure here is a key goal.
- Education and Fellowship Development: I have recently learned that AdventHealth Orlando is launching a new hematology-oncology fellowship program—potentially nine fellows over time, three per year. Watching this program grow from the ground up, and potentially partnering to develop it, is thrilling for me. I’ve also reconnected with UCF and colleagues at the VA to resume teaching medical students and residents. Education has always been a passion, and I’ve in my prior role, I had annually given 4-6 lectures to the fellows and internal medicine residents. I’m grateful to be back in that space.
- Administrative Leadership: My directorship encompasses clinical care in cutaneous oncology and melanoma, education, research, AI/informatics exploration, and program-building. It’s a multifaceted role, and I’m energized by the opportunity to build something comprehensive and impactful.
I won’t pretend there aren’t challenges. After a year of locums freedom and simplicity—no committees, no politics, no bureaucracy—I’m re-entering organizational life with all its complexities. Large organizations naturally bring together diverse perspectives, priorities, and working styles. I’ve navigated this world before for 14-plus years, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to work with diverse individuals. I don’t relish the politics, but I know it takes a village to care for our patients well. I’m committed to showing up with patience, diplomacy, and a shared sense of purpose.
Professional Accomplishments: Triple Board Recertification via the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and Return to Academic Medicine
One of my proudest professional achievements this year was achieving triple board recertification in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology. I don’t say this to boast, but because I believe it represents something important about our commitment as physicians to lifelong learning and comprehensive patient care.
Although internal medicine recertification isn’t required for most oncology practices, I chose to pursue it because oncology so often intersects with complex, multi-system medical care. But oncology touches every organ system. We manage immune-related adverse effects, organ dysfunction in critical care settings, and complex medical conditions layered onto cancer diagnoses. To practice oncology without maintaining a strong foundation in internal medicine felt, to me, incomplete. Cancer doesn’t respect specialty boundaries, and neither should our knowledge base.
Hematology recertification was intimidating at first—I’ll admit that. I hadn’t focused at all on benign or malignant hematology for years, and my work had centered largely on solid tumors and clinical trials. But this past year, working in locums, I found myself back in the hematology space more frequently. The work I had already done, combined with the time and interest I had, made it feel right to go ahead and re-certify. I’m glad I did. Passing that exam this past November reinforced my confidence in providing comprehensive care across the full spectrum of hematology-oncology.
Beyond Oncology: Diversification and Financial Independence
While my primary identity is as a physician, 2025 also brought significant milestones in other areas of my life—milestones that I believe are important for healthcare providers to consider as we think about sustainability, fulfillment, and financial wellness.
Achieving Complete Debt Freedom: This year, we achieved complete personal debt freedom—a milestone that brought both clarity and peace of mind. Through disciplined financial planning and strategic decision-making, we eliminated all student loans, consumer debt, and our primary home mortgage. Diversified income streams provided the flexibility for my wife and I to step away from a busy clinical practice for a season, while complete debt freedom ultimately offered the stability and peace of mind to return with renewed focus and intention.
A carefully considered real estate decision played an important role in this outcome. In parallel, my wife achieved Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) this past year and managed our investment properties with a level of focus and expertise that has meaningfully strengthened our long-term financial strategy and efficiency.
Why does this matter? Because burnout in healthcare is real. Financial stress compounds professional fatigue, and financial literacy is an often-overlooked component of physician well-being. When healthcare providers feel secure at home and supported in their personal lives, they are better positioned to lead teams, support colleagues, and—most importantly—care for patients with clarity, presence, and resilience.
White Coat Investor Publication: I’m honored to have a guest post accepted by White Coat Investor, scheduled for publication in March 2026 where I will discuss additional major milestones. For those in the physician finance space, WCI represents a gold standard for evidence-based financial education. Financial literacy is critical for healthcare providers—not just for our own security, but to model sustainability and resilience for the next generation of physicians.
Consultancy and Medical-Legal Work: I’ve also developed a consultancy business with nurses I’ve worked with for over a decade. We provide meaningful expertise and counsel to the insurance, legal, Medicare, and medical malpractice sectors. It’s intellectually stimulating work that leverages our clinical experience in new ways. This work is conducted independently, outside of my clinical role, and in full compliance with institutional policies.
Content Creation and Speaking: I continue to blog, speak, and engage with audiences on topics related to financial independence and literacy for healthcare providers. This work is fulfilling and allows me to contribute to conversations that matter beyond the clinic.
Family Transitions: Bittersweet Milestones
On a deeply personal note, 2026 brings significant family transitions. My oldest daughter starts college in January—we’ll drive her to her dorm at the University of Florida on January 9th. Looking at her now, this young woman who was once a tiny baby in our hands 18 years ago, fills me with pride and a profound sense of loss. We’re going to miss her every day. This trip to Europe was partly about having one more experience together as a complete family before she leaves. Go Gators!
My younger daughter, 17, is already eager to start college by summer. Both of my girls are ready to spread their wings, and while I’m so proud of them, the transition is bittersweet.
My wife is transitioning (physician –> REPS –> business owner) on her own exciting chapter, opening a 4Every Young wellness franchise focused on functional medicine. She’ll be her own boss, already building a team with 3 highly experience employees on staff, and I’m thrilled to see her thrive in this new venture.
Our boys continue to grow—one diving into basketball, the other into guitar and academics. They’re 51% pleasure, 49% chaos, but they’re good kids, and we’re watching them develop day by day.
The Seven Spokes of Life: A Framework for Intentional Living
What allowed me to accomplish so much past decade and in 2025—and what gives me confidence heading into 2026—is a framework we all know as the Seven Spokes of Life. When we set intentional goals across all seven domains, the wheel of our life rolls smoothly. Neglect one, and we feel the wobble.
- Career Goals – Clinical excellence, leadership, education, innovation
- Financial Goals – Debt freedom, strategic investments, financial literacy, independence
- Social Goals – Relationships with colleagues, friends, and community
- Physical Goals – Health, fitness, and wellness
- Spiritual Goals – Purpose, meditation, faith, and inner peace, 3rd space
- Intellectual Goals – Lifelong learning, reading outside of medicine, board recertification
- Family Goals – Quality time and meaningful experiences with loved ones
This framework guided my wife and me through a transformative year. We both walked away from highly productive, active jobs to spend a year in locums work—a semi-retired lifestyle that allowed us to reset, prioritize health and family, and explore what truly mattered. That intentional pause gave us the clarity and energy to step into 2026 with purpose.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I settle into my directorship role at AdventHealth, I’m mapping out what I want to accomplish across all seven spokes. Professionally, I’m focused on building a comprehensive program in cutaneous oncology, sarcoma, and cellular/TIL therapy; partnering in fellowship development; exploring AI and medical informatics; and expanding our clinical trial portfolio.
Beyond medicine, I’m committed to continuing my consultancy work, content creation, speaking engagements, support my wife with 4EveryYoung and strategic real estate investments. Most importantly, I’m prioritizing health and family—because nothing else matters if those foundations aren’t solid.
Final Thoughts: Health and Family Above All
Life is fragile. We all have suffered loss at some point in time. We never know how a year will end. That’s why I emphasize health and family above everything else. Not career success, not financial milestones, not publications or promotions—those are secondary.
As I reflect on 2025 and look toward 2026, I think about the seven spokes. Where did I excel.. Where do I improve… What risks paid off… What lessons did I learn… What are my new goals. And most importantly, how can I intentionally and proactively prioritize the people and the health that matter most.
Here’s to a 2026 filled with clinical excellence, meaningful innovation and work, physical/mental wellness, and time well spent with the people we love… Happy New Years!!!
About the author
Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. He brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.
Disclosures:
Dr. Thomas serves as a speaker for Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck, Ipsen, Natera, Immunocore, Pfizer, and SpringWorks. He also receives industry grants in support of numerous clinical trials.