Paul J. Hartung

Paul J. Hartung, Ph.D., is a Professor and Interim Co-Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), where he directs first-year medical courses in psychosocial and clinical foundations. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development from Kent State University (1992), an M.A. in Community Counseling (1986), and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Toledo (1984).

His research focuses on physician career trajectories, work-life balance, career decision-making, and career construction theory. He investigates how individuals navigate career choices across lifespan, leveraging work to shape identities and balance professional roles with family/community responsibilities. Notable contributions include studies on medical specialty selection biases, burnout prevention, and sustainable career paradigms.

Key awards include the NCDA Eminent Career Award (2020), APA Distinguished Contributions Award (2021), and recognition as a 2025 UH-NEOMED Faculty Scholar. His 2024 Elsevier ranking placed him in the world’s top 2% of scientists for career-related citations.

Dr. Hartung’s work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing narrative-based career counseling (e.g., My Career Story workbook) and interventions for underserved populations. He collaborates on initiatives like Service Learning in Medical Education and explores digital age career development trends.