Meet Dr. Kim Nichols

A woman with long, curly black hair wearing a black blazer sitting on a black leather sofa, smiling in a modern room with white brick walls and decorative plants.

Ever wondered if
you're ready for more?
YOU ARE.
Your next chapter is defined by
where you choose to go.

I know what it feels like to be considered ’accomplished’ - and still feel stuck, restless, even burned out.  I’ve been there.

As an anesthesiologist, I learned to build trust rapidly and lead across diverse teams. But despite that success, I navigated my early career without a roadmap for what I truly wanted.  When I began mentoring younger physicians, I discovered my true calling: connecting with others, thinking strategically, and helping people find their path. But I didn't know how to build a career around melding these gifts with what I’d learned as an anesthesiologist. I took on random assignments, wrestled with a series of false starts, and grew increasingly frustrated—until a colleague encouraged me to consider a teaching opportunity outside my comfort zone. That one leap from playing small changed everything. My work has since expanded into advising, speaking, executive leadership, and coaching—roles I never could have imagined but that fully utilize who I am.  When I was more fully able to maximize my expression, my joy in life also increased.   

My life has been about breaking through and becoming. 

Now, my purpose is to hold space for others to also become. Through Level Up with Dr. Kim N., I help professional women clarify their next career move (whether it’s a project, promotion, or career pivot), set boundaries that protect their energy without guilt, build leadership presence that feels authentic, and see that anything is possible.

This work is for you if you're:

  • Successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality

  • Ready to leverage your expertise in new ways 

  • Done waiting for permission to want more

  • Committed to growth, not just going through the motions

You've been capable of more for a long time. If you're nodding along to these descriptions, you're already ready. The question isn't if, it's when. The only difference between where you are and where you want to be? Taking the first step.

Ready to stop playing small and start becoming?  Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call and gain clarity on what’s next for you. 

Onward and upward, 

Dr. Kim Nichols 

P.S. Still not sure if coaching is right for you? That's exactly what the discovery call is for. Let’s explore together.

Book your discovery call now

Where Lived Experience Becomes Thought Leadership 

Dr. Kim Nichols, MD, MBA, FASA is a physician executive, coach, and speaker who bridges clinical expertise, business strategy, and human-centered leadership. Her career experiences span the operating room, the classroom, and the boardroom, giving her a perspective that few leaders carry. 

  • Erickson-trained in holistic, solution-focused, human-centered coaching and leadership development, equipping her to guide individuals and organizations through meaningful change

  • Holds an MD, MBA, and FASA, placing her at the rare intersection of clinical medicine, medical education, and business

  • A career spanning high-stakes operating rooms, healthcare leadership, medical education leadership, organizational culture transformation, and Recognized as a NC Top Doctor in Anesthesiology, 2021-2024 - Business NC

  • Recognized for championing psychological safety, belonging, and trauma-informed leadership, helping leaders and teams unlock their full potential without leaving parts of themselves behind

  • Professor of Anesthesiology; recognized for educational and mentorship skills in multiple settings

  • Has spoken extensively in academic settings, professional forums, and ceremonial programs where she challenges, equips, and inspires audiences at every stage of their journey

  • Contributing author of The Chronicles of Women in White Coats, Vol. 4, and co-author on multiple peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, addressing mentorship, wellness, and educational innovation 

For a full overview of my publications, talks, and professional journey, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. 

Connect with Me

Transformation doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens in community . 

Take the Next Step

Work With Dr. Kim Nichols

If you’re looking for a coach who blends compassion with leadership experience, a speaker who can hold space with honesty and courage, or simply a guide to remind you of your worth, you’re in the right place.

Start Your Coaching Transformation Today
  • “Dr. Nichols made us feel seen. Her story of failure and resilience met us exactly where we were. Her session had the highest engagement of the entire course and the deepest impact.”

  • “She commands a room with presence and heart. Her message lands because she listens, reflects, and inspires  every word is intentional. You don’t just hear her you feel her.”

  • “Coach Kim helped me quiet the chaos and find clarity. Her guidance wasn’t just insightful it was life changing. I slept through the night for the first time in months.”

The Road That Brought Me Here 

Beyond the coaching room and the stage, I am deeply committed to community. I believe in building spaces where women can feel seen, supported, and empowered. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply showing up with compassion, I see community as the heart of real change.