Healthcare can be tough on patients, clinicians, and administrators who work in the system. Clinicians are burning out at alarming rates; depression and suicide are on the rise. Patients often feel alone in a complex system, and administrators balance competing demands in what feels like a zero-sum game.

Enter COVID. Our healthcare system, and our country, has never seen anything like it. We need empathy and human connection now more than ever.

Jennifer Sweeney is a co-founder of X4 Health and the co-creator of 3rd Conversation, an innovation program that brings together patients, clinicians, and health system leaders to connect deeply, build trust, and develop bi-directional empathy.

A trained leadership coach and patient advocate, Jennifer Sweeney is interviewed by host Mike Sacopulos on strategies for healthcare administrators and physicians to have the best outcomes.

www.X4Health.com

Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org

OCME: Life in America’s Top Forensic Medical Center, New Book by Bruce Goldfarb - Banner Image 

SoundPractice_Logos-RGB-02.png

Reaching Organizational Goals for Relationships in Healthcare with Jennifer Sweeney

Jennifer Sweeney

Self-Management

Self-Awareness

Operations and Policy

Communication Strategies

Motivations and Thinking Style

Motivate Others

Episode Summary: In this episode of SoundPractice, host Mike Sacopulos sits down with Mark Katlic, MD, the chair emeritus of surgery for LifeBridge Health System in Baltimore, Maryland. Katlic opens up about his illustrious career, the creation of the Aging Surgeon Program, and the essential topic of maintaining surgical competence as surgeons age.

The Aging Surgeon Program:

The program addresses the critical issue of age-related competency in the surgical field. It offers a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation that assesses the physical and cognitive functions of surgeons over the age of 70. Aimed to ensure the ongoing safety and proficiency of aging surgeons, it identifies treatable or reversible conditions that, if addressed, could enhance their functional capacity. By fostering a culture of self-regulation within multidisciplinary surgical teams, the program helps maintain public trust in the healthcare system.

Key Points:

- The necessity of avoiding a mandatory retirement age, as individual capabilities can vary widely.

- The role of strict confidentiality protocols in identifying and addressing issues that might affect a surgeon’s performance.

- Potential solutions that modify work conditions, allowing experienced surgeons to continue contributing without compromising safety or forcing retirement.

About Mark Katlic, MD: Katlic pursued education at Washington and Jefferson College, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Massachusetts General Hospital. His extensive career spans private practice, general and thoracic surgery, and academic positions at Geisinger Health System and LifeBridge Health System.

Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how the Aging Surgeon Program is making a difference in the surgical community.

Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Surgical Competence and the Aging Surgeon Program with Dr. Mark Katlic

Mark Katlic, MD

Quality and Risk

Quality Improvement

Problem Solving

Critical Appraisal Skills

Overview: In this episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Naakesh Dewan, MD, CPE, DLFAPA, FASAM, a certified physician executive and internationally recognized expert in healthcare quality and digital innovations. Dewan shares his journey from collegiate athlete to physician executive and discusses the parallels between high performance in sports and medicine.

Key Topics:

1. Physicians versus Professional Athletes: Dewan compares physicians to world-class cognitive athletes and discusses how sports techniques can influence medical practice and leadership, emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being in both fields.

2. Well-Being and Burnout: Both physicians and athletes must manage purpose, satisfaction, adaptability, and control to maintain their well-being. Dewan addresses the root causes of physician burnout and offers individual-level strategies for tackling it.

3. Role of Organizations and Leaders: Healthcare leaders have a responsibility to create supportive work environments to reduce the impact burnout has on physicians and regulatory and productive aspects of the organization.

4. Lessons in Leadership and High Performance: Setting ambitious goals and adapting to challenges are crucial. Dewan highlights the importance of learning from others and maintaining mutual accountability within support systems.

Takeaway: High performance in sports and medicine requires a balance of technical skills, mental resilience, and well-being. As healthcare leaders, we must create environments that support physicians' well-being, prioritize self-care, and foster peer-to-peer support. By building trust and addressing burnout, we can maintain positive and effective practices.

Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership.

World Class Athletes and Physician Leaders: Same or Different? With Dr. Naakesh Dewan

Naakesh Dewan, MD, CPE, DLFAPA, FASAM

Professional Capabilities

Influence

Accountability

Episode Summary: Join host Mike Sacopulos in an engaging conversation with Lisa Herbert, MD, FAAFP, PCC, a board-certified family physician and the visionary founder and CEO of Just the Right Balance. Herbert shares her inspiring journey from an early interest in medicine to becoming a transformative coach for physician leaders. "Physicians being in a leadership role is crucial,” says Herbert. “We need people who have done the work and been in the frontlines to continue making important healthcare decisions." In this discussion, discover the pivotal role of physician leadership coaching in today's healthcare landscape.

At a Glance:
Early Inspiration: Herbert's passion for medicine was ignited by her grandfather’s passing due to healthcare inequities. This personal experience motivated her to pursue a career in family medicine to prevent similar tragedies for others.

Career Path: Influenced by mentors and driven by her desire to help others, she has held various roles, including medical director and private practice owner, gaining extensive experience in healthcare leadership.

Transition to Coaching: Recognizing the profound impact coaching had on her life, Herbert dedicated herself to helping other physicians navigate their careers and develop essential leadership skills.

Challenges in Healthcare: She emphasizes the urgent need for leadership development programs to address workforce shortages and combat physician burnout.

Making a Lasting Impact: Herbert offers personalized coaching, focusing on achieving each physician’s career goals and overcoming challenges.

Learn More: 
Visit her website to explore her books: Physicians Rise Up and Take Back Your Life
Connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook
Discover her insights on the Forbes Coaches Council and in the Huffington Post

About Lisa Herbert, MD, FAAFP, PCC: Lisa Herbert is a distinguished family physician, executive leadership coach, and national speaker with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare. She holds an MD from Upstate Medical Center and is a professional certified coach recognized by the International Coaching Federation. Herbert is dedicated to bridging gaps in healthcare through her coaching, consulting, and training programs, aiming to create collaborative cultures where physicians thrive and patient outcomes improve.

Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Coaching Physician Leaders with Dr. Lisa Herbert

Lisa Herbert, MD, FAAFP, PCC

Comfort with Visibility

Episode Overview: Join SoundPractice host, Mike Sacopulos, as he explores the rapid evolution and integral role of private equity (PE) in healthcare with expert Max Reiboldt, CPA. This episode is essential for physicians, health system leaders, PE sponsors, payers, and anyone involved in the healthcare industry.
Key Topics:
About Max Reiboldt:
Learn about Max Reiboldt’s extensive experience in healthcare consulting.
Discover his book, Private Equity and Healthcare: Leadership, Economics, and Trends for the Future, which equips you with the knowledge to tackle PE challenges head-on.

History:
Gain insights into the genesis and evolution of PE in healthcare over the past decade.

Deal Metrics: 
Understand how PE determines a practice’s value and makes diverse investments in healthcare entities like physician groups, surgery centers, and small hospitals.

Regulatory Concerns:
Discover how increased regulatory scrutiny is impacting transactions and may lead to changes in investment strategies and governance.

Benefits, Challenges, and Future Predictions:
Examine how PE benefits physicians nearing retirement, while younger physicians remain hesitant.
Get a concise forecast for the future of PE in healthcare, its impact on group cohesion, and potential challenges.


Additional Insights: Reiboldt also shares insights from his book, Private Equity and Healthcare, recently published by the American Association for Physician Leadership. This book, written by a distinguished group of contributing authors from Coker, provides an unbiased and fact-based examination of this complex field.
Listen Now: Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of private equity in healthcare and stay ahead of the trends shaping the industry.
Subscribe and Follow: Don't miss out on future episodes of SoundPractice. Subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest in physician leadership and healthcare insights.
Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership .

Private Equity Trends in Healthcare with Max Reiboldt

Max Reiboldt, CPA, MBA

Finance

Payment Models

Strategy and Innovation

Environmental Influences

Healthcare Process

In this episode of SoundPractice, we delve into the specialized area of healthcare law and the intricacies of physician contracts. Join us as we sit down with Kyle Claussen, CEO of Resolve.com, a firm renowned for its expertise in the legal, financial, and strategic aspects of physicians' employment agreements. Claussen offers insight into fair market value, noncompete clauses, and the influence of private equity in healthcare.

Physician Employment Contracts and Compensation with Kyle Claussen

Kyle Claussen

Health Law

Economics

Risk Management

Join host Mike Sacopulos in this compelling episode of SoundPractice as he sits down with David Matchar, MD, to delve into the transformative potential of systems thinking in healthcare. Matchar is a distinguished expert in the industry with a rich career from his early days at Duke University to current influential roles. Drawing from lived experiences, he shares unique insights on how viewing healthcare as an interconnected system, rather than isolated silos, can significantly enhance organizational performance.

Systems Thinking in Healthcare: A Conversation with Dr. David Matchar

David Matchar, MD

Reaching Organizational Goals for Relationships in Healthcare with Jennifer Sweeney

RECENT EPISODES

Surgical Competence and the Aging Surgeon Program with Dr. Mark Katlic

World Class Athletes and Physician Leaders: Same or Different? With Dr. Naakesh Dewan

Coaching Physician Leaders with Dr. Lisa Herbert

Private Equity Trends in Healthcare with Max Reiboldt

Physician Employment Contracts and Compensation with Kyle Claussen

Systems Thinking in Healthcare: A Conversation with Dr. David Matchar

RELATED EPISODES

Harnessing Exam Room Experience for Leadership Excellence with Dr. Hanah Polotsky and Lisa Williams

Relational Leadership with Sarah Smithson, MD, MPH, and Kyle Turner, PharmD

The Changing Faces of Anatomy with Valerie DeLeon, PhD

Combating the Challenges of Clinical Documentation with AI

World Class Athletes and Physician Leaders: Same or Different? With Dr. Naakesh Dewan

The Power of Gratitude in Healthcare with Linda Roszak Burton