About Dr Ruth Vo
Career Evolution Coach, PhD, BND, MHSc(Edu)
The traditional path in healthcare isn't wrong—it's just the most visible one. Clinical roles, management tracks, specialisation pathways—they're all there, well-defined and reassuring in their clarity. I followed that route for years, genuinely loving the work, until I realised the obvious ways aren't the only ways.
That morning walk to work became the moment I asked myself: "If I could be doing anything right now, what would that be?" It wasn't about rejecting my expertise—it was about having the courage to challenge the default and explore what else might be possible.
Growing up as the middle child in a large family marked by constant moves and financial instability, I learned to seek structure and predictability where I could. Dietetics felt like solid ground—helping people through evidence-based practice, blending science with pragmatics and ultimately, security. I thrived in clinical specialisation, loved supporting patients through complex health challenges, and found deep satisfaction in collaborating with colleagues.
But competence and passion don't automatically translate to sustainability.
Too often, it can lead to burnout, fast or slow.
When I became a mother, things shifted. Gradually after my first, more suddenly after my second. The collision wasn't between my dedication and my family—it was between what career advancement demanded of me and what I was actually able to give while honouring my relationships.
I've always been driven. Determined to learn and grow. That led me to pursue a Master's in Health Science Education—I wanted to understand how we actually develop expertise as health professionals. Soon after, I dove into qualitative PhD research, keen to give language to the unseen aspect of reasoning and decision-making. Completing that research while working as a senior dietitian and caring for young children taught me firsthand about the impossible expectations we place on ourselves and how little flexibility there is to be more than one thing in certain roles.
Acknowledging this tension wasn't giving up on my professional identity—it was evolving it.
So I resigned.
Now I work with health professionals who want to align their careers with their evolving circumstances and values. Whether that means finding better ways to thrive in traditional roles, seeking positions that offer different flexibility, or creating entirely new applications for your expertise, it's about making choices that honour both your professional interests and your personal wellbeing.
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What I do now...
Through my UnShould Decision Framework™, I guide you from curiosity about what's truly possible for you, through clarity about what matters most in your current season of life, to confidence in making decisions that serve your whole self.
The goal isn't to abandon your expertise or your dedication to make a difference. It's to create sustainable ways to contribute your gifts to the world without losing yourself in the process.
Because there's no predetermined narrative for your healthcare career—you get to write your own story.