Episodes
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Overview: Join us for an insightful conversation with Smita Agarkar, MD, CPE, FAAPL, a distinguished physician leader. She shares her journey from clinical practice to a significant leadership position offering valuable advice for early-career physicians and highlights the crucial contributions of women in healthcare leadership. Agarkar discusses her shift from outpatient to inpatient care, her leadership experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her current roles at Gracie Square Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine.
Women in Leadership:
Trends in healthcare leadership.
The importance of diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles.
Unique contributions of women leaders in healthcare.
Advice for Early-Career Physicians:
Overcoming unexpected barriers.
Importance of emotional intelligence and empathy.
Building relationships and being assertive.
Leadership Styles and Challenges:
Transformative leadership approach.
Building teams and changing culture.
Navigating complex healthcare environments.
Essential Leadership Skills:
Building relationships and accountability.
Trust, empathy, and active listening.
Importance of emotional intelligence.
Meta-Leadership:
Concept and application in healthcare.
Expanding thinking beyond formal boundaries.
Interdependence and unity of mission.
About the Expert: Smita Agarkar, MD, CPE, FAAPL, serves as Service Chief of Gracie Square Hospital, is Quality and Patient Safety Chair, and is an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Listen Now: Gain practical advice and inspiration from a seasoned healthcare leader.
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Episode Overview: Host Mike Sacopulos interviews Megan Ranney, MD, MPH, FACEP, exploring her career journey and impactful work at the intersection of clinical medicine, public health, and advocacy. Ranney shares insights and actionable steps to address systemic healthcare issues and gun violence.
Key Topics:
Career Journey: From Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa during the AIDS crisis to Dean of Yale School of Public Health, Ranney offers a diverse perspective.
Clinical Medicine and Public Health: Leverage insights from her work as an emergency physician and public health expert.
System-Level Change: Ranney is passionate about driving systemic improvements in healthcare and public health.
Firearm Harm: Learn from her brave stance on gun violence and evidence-based strategies for future change.
Physician Action: Ranney outlines practical steps for physicians to make a difference.
About the Expert: Megan L. Ranney, MD, MPH, FACEP, is the Dean of Yale School of Public Health; the C.-E. A. Winslow Professor of Public Health for Yale School of Public Health; and a Professor of Emergency Medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
Background
Emergency physician, researcher, and national public health advocate
Focuses on digital health interventions for violence prevention and COVID risk reduction
Co-founder of GetUsPPE, Senior Strategic Advisor to AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute
Held significant roles at Brown University, including Deputy Dean and Founding Director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health
Elected member of the National Academy of Medicine
Listen Now: Gain valuable insights on addressing gun violence and driving systemic change in healthcare from Megan Ranney, MD, MPH, FACEP.
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Missing episodes?
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Episode Overview: Host Mike Sacopulos interviews Stefanie Green, MD, a leading expert in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and author of the bestselling memoir This is Assisted Dying: A Doctor’s Story of Empowering Patients at the End of Life. This insightful discussion covers:
• Scope of practice;
• Patient eligibility;
• Clinical availability;
• Differences between Canadian and U.S. systems;
• Role of End of Life (EOL) Doulas; and
• Step-by-step process from patient request to provision.
Hear how physicians can address MAiD requests with professionalism, compassion, and informed conversation.
About the Expert: Stefanie Green, MD, has extensive experience in general practice, maternity, and newborn care. Since 2016, she has focused on MAiD. Key roles include:
• Founding President, Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP)
• Co-Lead, Canadian MAiD Curriculum Project
• Medical Advisor, BC Ministry of Health MAiD oversight committee
• Moderator, CAMAP’s national online community of practice
• Speaker on MAiD locally, nationally, and internationally, including a TEDx talk
• Clinical faculty member at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria
Listen Now: Gain valuable insights from Stefanie Green, MD, on what every physician needs to know about MAiD. Ensure you are well-equipped to handle patient requests with professionalism and compassion.
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Episode Overview: Are you a Chief Medical Officer or an aspiring physician leader looking to develop a foundational understanding of healthcare economics? In this episode, host Mike Sacopulos is joined by Lee Scheinbart, MD, CPE, author of The Chief Medical Officer’s Financial Primer, to delve into the financial intricacies of healthcare.
Key Takeaways:
• Financial Flow: Insight into how money moves from payers to providers in the U.S. healthcare system.
• Leadership Skills: Importance of financial literacy for effective healthcare leadership.
• Future Models: Preparation for evolving financial structures in healthcare.
About Lee Scheinbart, MD, CPE:
• Current Role: Chief Health Affairs Officer, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Education: BS in Biology from the University of Michigan, MD from Ohio State University.
• Training: Internal Medicine residency and Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Florida Shands Hospital.
• Experience: Over 20 years in Hematology/Oncology practice, leadership roles at Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates and Health First.
• Contributions: Founding of the William Childs Hospice House, Medical Director for the Health First Cancer Institute.
• Leadership: Certified Physician Executive (CPE), former Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at HF Hospitals.
• Involvement: Active in the American Association of Physician Leadership, volunteer, mentor, curriculum advisor, and panel speaker.
About the Book: Using illustrative stories, Scheinbart makes the text engaging while fostering critical thinking at every stage of an aspiring medical officer’s career growth. The book will equip physician leaders with essential financial knowledge to navigate and influence the healthcare system while providing an understanding of the historical flow of capital in U.S. healthcare and preparing for future financial models.
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Episode Overview: Are you looking to eliminate waste, enhance efficiency, and elevate patient satisfaction in your practice? In this episode, host Mike Sacopulos and Owen J. Dahl, MBA, LFACHE, CHBC, LSSMBB, discuss how streamlining healthcare can help you achieve your goals. Dahl is a nationally recognized expert in healthcare management with nearly 40 years of specialization in lean management, revenue cycle, and practice operations.
The Big Picture: Leverage Dahl’s expertise to revolutionize your healthcare practice by gaining actionable insights to boost efficiency and quality. Implementing lean Six Sigma strategies can enhance experiences for providers and patients, leading to a more effective and rewarding practice.
Key Points:
Philosophy of Workflow: Discover how Dahl's approach optimizes healthcare workflows, focusing on enhancing experiences for both patients and providers.
Quality Improvement: Explore successful real-world examples that underscore the crucial role systematic processes in driving quality improvements.
Systems Awareness: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire healthcare system to identify and eliminate inefficiencies.
Economic Benefits: Learn how streamlined processes like Lean Management and Six Sigma can bolster the financial health of healthcare practices.
Historical Insight: Apply John Wanamaker’s principle to modern healthcare to identify and reduce wasted resources.
Practical Implementation: Find out how physician leaders can drive positive change by implementing lean processes.
Resources:
Books by Owen Dahl:
The High-Performing Medical Practice: Workflow, Practice Finances, and Patient-Centric Care
Think Business! Medical Practice Quality, Efficiency, Profits (2nd Edition)
Owen Dahl Consulting:
Visit owendahlconsulting.com for more information.
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Episode Overview: Are you interested in taking a road less traveled in healthcare? This episode is for you. Host Mike Sacopulos talks with physician leader, author, and advocate for alternative medical careers, Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH. Stacy shares her journey through unconventional clinical career paths, highlighting her impactful work in prison medicine.
Episode Highlights:
• Finding a “Happy Medium”: Many doctors experience burnout and feel undervalued in traditional roles. Stacy discusses unique clinical careers that allow you to stay in patient care while offering new challenges and rewards.
• Combatting Burnout: Learn how stepping off the beaten path can reignite your passion for medicine and help you prioritize self-care.
• Find Opportunities: Discover and secure roles in unconventional careers like prison medicine, telemedicine, and medical consulting.
Things to Consider:
• Side Gigs: Explore part-time jobs to gain experience or supplemental income.
• Networking: Leverage job boards and professional organizations to explore new opportunities.
• Peer Advice: Hear how other experienced physicians have navigated their career shifts.
The Big Picture: Non-traditional medical careers can empower physicians to find renewed purpose and satisfaction in their professional lives.
About the Book: Stacy’s newest book 50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for Physicians: Unique Ways to Use Your Medical Degree Without Leaving Patient Care is an accessible and engaging guide to finding satisfaction in medicine without leaving clinical practice. Gain real-world insights from interviews with physicians in unconventional clinical careers. This book is essential for any physician feeling unfulfilled, frustrated, or burned out.
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Episode Overview: The integration of augmented intelligence (AI) in clinical settings is revolutionizing healthcare, but it also brings its own set of challenges. In this episode, Maria Granzotti, MD, MBA, CPE, CHCQM, FABQAURP, FACHE, dives into the current landscape of clinical augmented intelligence (CAI). She defines CAI, discusses its primary purposes and benefits, and examines its potential to reduce healthcare costs.
Key Questions:
• How is CAI different from traditional AI?
• What does "human in the loop" mean in the context of CAI?
• Is now the right time for CAI?
Episode Highlights:
• Technology Integration: Discover how CAI seamlessly integrates into existing clinical workflows, enhancing the tools physicians already use.
• Quality Improvement: Learn from real-world examples about how CAI supports quality and safety initiatives in healthcare.
• Healthcare Delivery: Explore how CAI can revolutionize healthcare delivery by reducing administrative burdens and shifting the focus back to patient care.
About the Expert: Maria Granzotti, MD, MBA, CPE, CHCQM, FABQAURP, FACHE, is the chief medical advisor and clinical strategist for Digital Strategies Group, LLC. With 15 years of experience in healthcare executive leadership and 20 years in emergency medicine, she has a proven track record of delivering value and prioritizing patient safety. Granzotti has led quality and safety initiatives at a multihospital system in Texas and has played a pivotal role in shaping strategies for over 150 hospitals across the country.
The Big Picture: CAI is creating new possibilities for patients and physicians, driving advancements in technology and quality in healthcare.
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Episode Overview: Are you a physician who wants to become a Chief Medical Officer (CMO)? In this episode, discover a comprehensive roadmap designed to help you achieve your career goals. Host Mike Sacopulos is joined by author Rex Hoffman, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, to explore Hoffman’s new book, I Want to Be a Chief Medical Officer: Now What?. Tune in and take the next step toward your CMO career!
Highlights:
Unique Insights: Discover what hiring managers seek in potential CMOs and navigate the application process like a pro with tips for job search strategies and resume building.
Comprehensive Roles: Understand various CMO roles in hospitals, medical groups, health plans, and health systems.
From the Experts: Gain insight from experienced CMOs including an overview of their duties and the pros and cons of transitioning from clinical practice.
The Big Picture: Turn actionable insights into confidence while navigating your journey toward becoming a successful CMO.
About the Book: Hoffman packages his lessons learned as the CMO at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, into an ultimate guide for physicians interested in advancing their careers. His five-part book shares invaluable, real-life experiences from multiple chief executives that prospective CMOs can learn from. Doug Koekkoek, MD, and Mark Olszyk, MD, MBA, CPE, act as co-editors with Hoffman on this book.
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Episode Overview: In this insightful episode, join host Mike Sacopulos and dive into the multifaceted career of Art Lazarus, MD, MBA, CPE, DFAAPL — a distinguished psychiatrist, author, and storyteller. After a career in clinical care and industry leadership, Lazarus turned to the written word to educate and humanize medicine.
Key Points:
• The Didactic Power of Storytelling: Lazarus believes in the instructive power of a good story, much like the tales of Mark Twain and CS Lewis, which have left indelible marks on education and culture.
• Career Journey: Explore the various stages of Lazarus's career and how his experiences have shaped his philosophy on writing and storytelling.
• Narrative Medicine: Lazarus's books serve a dual purpose of informing and entertaining, similar to how politicians and lawyers connect with and persuade their audiences.
Episode Highlights:
• A Storyteller's Influence: Lazarus's approach to writing is not just about crafting a narrative but also about imparting valuable lessons on the practice of medicine.
• Every Story Counts: The discussion will delve into Lazarus's latest book, Every Story Counts: Exploring Contemporary Practice through Narrative Medicine, which is a testament to his commitment to narrative medicine.
The Big Picture: Effective storytelling is influential. When trying to shape someone’s understanding of medicine and leadership, every story counts.
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In this podcast episode, host Mike Sacopulos interviews Chuck Stoner, DBA, a leadership expert, president of Stoner & Associates Consulting, and author of the book Inspired Physician Leadership: Creating Influence and Impact, 2nd Edition, who shares his insights on various aspects of leadership in healthcare.Sacopulos praises Stoner, stating, "Chuck Stoner has the credentials and experience to command your attention, but he doesn’t need it. He is a person whose guidance and recommendations should be taken seriously; he is a leadership coach we should all be lucky to have."The interview delves into key topics, including:• Are individuals born leaders, or can leadership be developed?• Are certain personality types better suited for leadership?• How do physicians measure leadership quality?• What are the implications when most physicians work for non-physician-led entities?• What are the foundations of behavioral leadership?• How effective is formal medical education in developing leadership skills?• Do the skills that make a good clinician also make a good leader?Additionally, Stoner offers specific advice for physicians looking to become stronger leaders.Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership.
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Bahar Sedarati, MD, CPE, FCUCM, believes that emotional intelligence is a significant human skill. From her youth growing up in Iran, to her training as an internist, to her passion for teaching and mentoring, and now as a career coach, Sedarati’s message is focusing on what we have versus what we want.
In this interview with Mike Sacopulos, they cover topics on whether courage or empathy can be taught, emotional intelligence and the practice of medicine, her experience with a Managing Happiness Certificate from Harvard University and in earning the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential from the American Association for Physician Leadership.
Sedarati mentions the book Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks.
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No one would argue that the training to become a neurosurgeon lacks clinical rigor. Many long intense years go into a Board certification. Neurosurgery education is never really accomplished. Sometimes the most powerful and ultimately useful lessons come from unexpected people and events. That was the case with Joseph “Jody” Stern, MD. Stern is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine and brain surgery. He has been in practice for more than 25 years and is a partner in the largest neurosurgical group practice in the country — Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. The deaths of his sister and brother-in-law — and the experience of working with their healthcare teams — brought a new perspective to his work with patients, inspiring him to write Grief Connects Us.
In his exceptionally thought-provoking and moving memoir, Grief Connects Us: A Neurosurgeon’s Lessons on Love, Loss, and Compassion, Joseph Stern, MD, grapples with grief and loss as he searches for compassion in a field notorious for neutrality.
Hear Stern’s interview on how he became a better physician.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org -
In a recent presentation at SXSW, Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, spoke about the potential of mindbending drugs such as psychedelics and cannabis in the context of physician leadership. While the level of interest in these substances was high, Lieberman emphasized the importance of responsible use and scientific research.
Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, is the Lawrence C. Kolb Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. His work has advanced the understanding of the natural history and pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the pharmacology and clinical effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs.
He is a member of numerous scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. He has authored more than 500 papers and articles published in the scientific literature and written and/or edited ten books on mental illness, psychopharmacology, and psychiatry. Lieberman served as president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) from 2013 to 2014.
During this podcast interview with host, Mike Sacopulos, Lieberman discussed the potential benefits and risks of using mindbending drugs in a clinical setting. He emphasized the need for rigorous scientific research and noted that while these substances may have therapeutic potential, they must be used with caution and under the guidance of trained medical professionals.
As the field of psychiatry continues to evolve, it will be important for physicians to approach these substances with a balanced and informed perspective and to fully understand the effects of these substances on the human brain and behavior.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org -
The 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey introduced us to HAL, a fictional artificial intelligence character that interacted with the astronauts. HAL would be pleased to learn that his AI progeny are helping to improve healthcare.
In this episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Manijeh Berenji, MD, MPH, a double board-certified physician specializing in occupational and environmental medicine as well as preventive medicine. Berenji is chief of occupational health at VA Long Beach Healthcare System, and she also leads the Environmental Health Clinic at VA Long Beach Healthcare System.
Berenji discusses her work with veterans, including exposure assessments for veterans concerning Agent Orange and Open Burn Pits. Additionally, she explains the field of informatics as it applies to healthcare. Berenji shares her interest in clinical informatics and emphasizes the importance of digital tool proficiency for the future leaders of healthcare.
As the vice chair of the Health Informatics section of the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Berenji talks about the section's efforts to advance clinical informatics in occupational and environmental medicine.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org -
Neil Baum, MD, is a renowned leader in medical practice marketing and a pioneer in the field, having authored the first textbook on the subject in the 1990s. Today, Baum continues to share his knowledge through writing, lectures, and consulting on healthcare practice marketing. He has written a new book, Medicine is a Practice: The Rules for Healthcare Marketing.
Baum, a practicing physician based in New Orleans, Louisiana, draws from real-world examples that have proven successful in his own healthcare practice. His mission is to aid physicians and medical practice administrators in creating the productive and profitable practice they have always envisioned.
In this interview with host Mike Sacopulos, Baum shares tried-and-tested suggestions for enhancing relationships with existing patients and attracting new patients to the practice. As a bonus, Baum ends the interview with three hints for new physicians as they build their careers in medicine.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org. -
Healthcare is fundamentally a scientific pursuit, from clinical skills to cutting-edge diagnostic testing. Medicine is also an art, and art plays a vital role in the success of patient care. Once such element of art is where healthcare is delivered. Physical structures can affect a patient’s experiences and outcomes. On this topic, SoundPractice host Mike Sacopulos interviews Sharon Woodworth.
Sharon Woodworth, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, ACHA, is the healthcare sector leader of HED, a national integrated architecture and engineering firm with more than 400 employees and elite clients such as USC, the VA Medical Center, and the U.S. State Department. Her sector specializes in designing innovative healthcare centers for efficient patient care.
Woodworth’s career path that led to architecture is an inspiring one, and she is known for driving change in operations and care through design. Hear her thoughts on design of outpatient facilities, designing to retain healthcare providers, how design can support “lean” operational models for staff, and trends for the future.
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The word Catholic is often capitalized and used in reference to the religious denomination. It may also be an adjective meaning comprehensive or universal. On this episode of SoundPractice we will be discussing the term in both of its definitions.
The Catholic Church and Its Hospitals: A Marriage Made in Heaven? is a new book extensively researched and written by Patricia Gabow, MD, MACP, former CEO of Denver General Hospital. The Foreword of the book is by Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP.
Hear about the role of the bishops and the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) in policy making for the Catholic health system. We also discuss surprising statistics about the extent, reach, and influence of Catholic Healthcare in terms of the number of beds and hospitals. From small hospitals built by nuns and nurses to now having four out of the ten largest healthcare systems in the United States being Catholic systems.
There is another side to the story. Patients may not understand that certain reproductive care or end-of-life care are not available to them in a Catholic health system. Physicians who work in these systems may not understand the reach and influence of the ERDs. We will be exploring this issue in depth. In Gabow’s book, she provides a section on considerations for the Catholic health system’s return to mission fidelity.
Join us for this insightful and thought-provoking discussion on the Catholic Church and its hospitals.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org -
At first blush the ideas of servants and leaders seem distinct, even mutually exclusive. How could an individual be a servant and a leader simultaneously? Perhaps the initial reaction to the juxtaposition of servant and leader is the issue. When approached from the correct perspective, the contradiction fades and connections come into focus.
David M. Zechman, BSE, MPA, president of The Zechman Group, LLC, is a former hospital system president and CEO and is currently an executive coach and author of Driven by Compassion – 8 Values for Successful Servant Leaders.
Zechman has spent considerable time on servants, leaders, and healthcare. He helps us to uncover leadership opportunities.
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In this episode of AAPL's SoundPractice podcast, Mike Sacopulos interviews William MacDonald, the founder of My Financial Coach. MacDonald has an extensive background in executive compensation and benefit consulting and has founded several leading organizations in this field.
Sacopulos and MacDonald discuss the areas covered by certified financial planners when working with clients, including retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and investment management. They also discuss the innovative solutions and strategies offered by My Financial Coach's subject matter experts and the ways in which clients are using the company's technology platform.
The conversation then turns to the challenges faced by physicians in managing their personal finances, including student loan debt, managing cash flow, and planning for retirement. MacDonald continues the discussion with the importance of building employee benefits for both physicians and all employees and shares some successful strategies he has seen in this area.
Sacopulos and MacDonald also discuss the alliance between AAPL and My Financial Coach, and MacDonald shares his motivation for creating the company. He emphasizes the importance of providing personalized financial coaching to clients and helping them achieve their financial goals.
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Malika Grayson, PhD, is a contributor to the best-selling book, Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM. Each contributor to the book has shared a personal career journey – including the barriers and challenges faced along the way.
In this episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Grayson about her career and her leadership. She is the founder of STEMinist Empowered LLC, an organization which focuses on empowering Women of Color who pursue advanced degrees through application consultancy and graduate program mentorship. A global speaker and bestselling author, Grayson has given dozens of workshops and keynotes and is the recipient of many honors including SWE Advocating Women in Engineering and Zellman Warhaft Commitment to Diversity Award.
She also authored the best-selling book Hooded: A Black Girl's Guide to the Ph.D. Grayson’s keynotes and workshops are based on her experiences in academia and industry.
Sacopulos and Grayson cover what makes a good mentor and networking for mentoring, canceling imposter syndrome, and Navigating the Impossible, and Success through Resilience – ABCs to STEM Success.
Grayson’s passion for increasing the number of women through the STEM pipeline motivated her to create ASPIRE STEM, which provides financial assistance to young women from high school and secondary school who aspire to pursue STEM on the university level.
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