At age 78, while still doing mentoring, clinical work, and scholarship, Michael Malloy, MD, found time to discuss his journey with contemplating an “intensely personal” decision with the Faculty Factory Podcast this week.

In what can only be described as the ultimate pre-retirement conversation, Dr. Malloy brings the emotions, intangibles, and ethical considerations, when weighing a decision of this magnitude.

"I've been on a glidepath to retirement for about the last 5 or 6 years," Dr. Malloy said.

With UTMB in Galveston, Texas, Dr. Malloy serves as Professor in the Division of Neonatology in the Department of Pediatrics and is the Emeritus John P. McGovern Chair of Oslerian Medicine.

He decided to step aside from the rigors and intensity of the NICU roughly six years ago and continues to work as an attending physician in the mother-baby service in the hospital. As mentioned in this interview, Dr. Malloy has enjoyed the transition while still maintaining close contact with the NICU.

As a self-described "hanger-on'er," Dr. Malloy discusses how he got to this point, his future plans, and gives us a candid look into his decision-making process that has been influenced by many factors including the loss of a loved one.

This conversation is a “must-listen” for any faculty member kicking around the idea of stepping down from 100% full-time employment.