Physician leadership is evolving from informal, "oldest doctor gets the job" to rigorous, accredited training programs that could reshape healthcare administration.

Mike Sacopulos interviews Daniel A. Handel, MD, MBA, MPH, CPE, chief medical officer at Atrium Health, to discuss the basics of the new Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management (HALM) fellowship. The exam, first held in November 2024, will now be offered annually because of increased physician demand; it was previously biennial.

Handel is the editor of the new textbook, Healthcare Administration, Leadership and Management: The Essentials, First Edition, with 44 expert contributors covering finance, compliance, HR, among other executive topics. He is also a contributor to a board review course that AAPL is developing for HALM.

Handel’s overarching advice for physician leaders: “Stay focused on your why — the purpose that drove you to leadership in the first place.”

Resources:

- Healthcare Administration, Leadership and Management: The Essentials, First Edition

- Connect with Dan Handel, MD

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 

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The HALM (Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management) Credential and New Textbook with Dr. Daniel Handel

Daniel A. Handel, MD, MBA, MPH

Quality and Risk

Quality Improvement

Problem Solving

Action Orientation

Finance

Economics

In this enlightening episode, Mike Sacopulos sits down with three visionary leaders from the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) — Peter Angood, MD, president and CEO, Joe LiVigni, senior vice president of education, and Devin Glasgo, director of consumer experience and development — to discuss the groundbreaking launch of AAPL Helix.

AAPL Helix is a comprehensive learning ecosystem designed to redefine how physician leaders develop their skills throughout their careers. From AI-powered personalized learning to seamless community integration, this platform is more than just a tool — it’s a transformational approach to professional development that transcends traditional CME credit tracking.

In this episode, you will explore:

- The "Leadership is Learned" Philosophy
- Beyond Transactional CME: A Transformational Ecosystem
- AI-Powered Personalization
- Competency-Based Learning Journeys
- Streamlined User Experience
- Community Integration
- The Vision Forward

Dr. Angood envisions Helix as the core of AAPL's evolution — supporting not only individual physician development but also institutional clients and expanding into inter-professional leadership development. With a legacy spanning 50 years, AAPL is positioned to lead healthcare transformation by strengthening the patient-physician relationship and empowering physicians as natural stewards of industry improvement.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about how innovative technology is reshaping leadership in healthcare.

Learn more about AAPL Helix at www.physicianleaders.org


AAPL Helix: Transforming Physician Leadership Development Through Innovative Technology

Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)

Joe LiVigni

Devin Glasgo

Self-Management

Self-Awareness

Motivations and Thinking Style

Motivate Others

Critical Appraisal Skills

In this insightful episode of SoundPractice, host Mike Sacopulos sits down with Vivek Iyer, an internationally recognized executive coach and principal of Swanvesha Executive Coaching.

The Significance of Swanvesha: Derived from Sanskrit, "Swanvesha" means "self-enquiry," embodying the fundamental principle of coaching — that true, lasting solutions arise from introspection and focusing on what lies within one's control.

Vivek shares his journey from corporate strategist to certified coach, offering valuable perspectives on how coaching can transform physician leaders facing the unique challenges of healthcare leadership. With extensive experience in strategic planning and process improvement at firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and A.C. Nielsen, Vivek offers a unique global perspective, shaped by his experiences living in four countries and fluency in six languages.

Whether you are considering working with a coach, curious about its transformative impact, or seeking to understand how strategic planning and facilitation can strengthen healthcare organizations, this episode delivers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for leaders at every stage of their journey.

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


Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Power of Executive Coaching with Vivek Iyer

Vivek Iyer, MBA, ACC

Professional Capabilities

Influence

Comfort with Visibility

In this episode of SoundPractice, Matthew Mazurek, MD, assistant professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine discusses his new book, Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Discrimination in Healthcare by the AAPL.

Mazurek reveals sexual misconduct in healthcare occurs on multiple levels:

- Confidential surveys show the problem remains significantly underreported.

- Social media has created new avenues for inappropriate behavior, particularly among younger staff members.

- Healthcare workers face harassment from patients more frequently than in other STEM fields due to physical touching and power dynamics.

For healthcare leaders conducting investigations, Mazurek recommends:

- Use two-person interview teams to avoid "he said, she said" situations while preventing respondents from feeling ganged up on.

- Strip away who is telling the story and focus objectively on what happened.

- Involve risk management early in high-stakes cases.

- Maintain consistency in questioning and look for corroboration.

Reality check: Lack of standardization across 50 state medical boards contributes to delays in addressing misconduct, with some physicians maintaining long histories of violations before consequences.

Mazurek emphasizes prevention over investigation expertise:

- Leadership must model appropriate behavior — executives engaging in misconduct set a tone of tolerance.

- Training programs should use case studies in small groups to help staff feel the emotional impact, not just understand it intellectually.

- Address microaggressions through comprehensive education on bias and stereotypes.

- Create policies expressly covering social media interactions with colleagues as part of the work environment.

The bottom line: Healthcare organizations must balance their duty to provide safe environments for staff with their obligation to care for patients, even when patient behavior crosses lines.

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


Confronting Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare with Dr. Matthew Mazurek

Matthew J. Mazurek, MD, MHA, CPE, FACHE, FASA, FAAPL

Self-Control

Accountability

Conflict Management

In this episode of SoundPractice, host Mike Sacopulos explores the critical skill of strategic thinking with Michael Gardner, MD, vice president and administrator of Women's and Children's Hospital at University Health in San Antonio, Texas. Gardner shares his extensive journey through physician leadership and breaks down why strategic thinking is essential for physicians who want to shape the future of healthcare.

Michael Gardner is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as maternal fetal medicine. He is a certified physician executive (CPE) and in 2025 became a fellow of the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Why strategic thinking matters for physicians: Physicians bring a unique perspective that is essential for improving American healthcare. With healthcare consuming roughly 20% of GDP and outcomes that lag behind other developed nations, physician leaders must actively participate in strategic decision-making rather than exclude themselves from these conversations.

Strategic vs. clinical thinking: While clinical thinking focuses on immediate patient care with narrow attention to detail, strategic thinking requires a broader view of internal and external environments, long-term organizational goals, and the ability to embrace foresight and ambiguity. The key difference lies in scope and timeline — strategic thinking means planning months and years ahead.

Strategic thinking can be learned: Though some physicians may naturally gravitate toward systems-level thinking, strategic thinking is a skill that can be developed through mentorship, education, practice, and progressive leadership experiences. Starting with smaller leadership roles and building confidence prepares physicians for larger strategic challenges.

Physician leaders as translators: Successful physician leaders must learn to speak both clinical and business languages. While they don't need to match their CFO's financial expertise or their COO's operational knowledge, they must understand enough to communicate effectively with administrative colleagues and translate strategic concepts back to medical staff.

Gardner and his colleague Mark Guadagnoli, PhD, are developing a strategic thinking and planning course series for AAPL, including:

- An online strategic thinking course

- "The Who, What, Where, and When of Strategic Planning" course

- A hybrid strategic planning workshop in 2026 where participants will create actual strategic plans with ongoing guidance and feedback.

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


Strategic Thinking for Physician Leaders with Dr. Michael Gardner

Michael Gardner, MD

Strategic Perspective

Strategy and Innovation

Systems Awareness

Media relations is more than press releases — it's a strategic tool for driving hospital goals like patient acquisition, physician recruitment, and employee retention.

Key Insights

- Media vs. PR: Public relations is the tree; media relations is its largest branch. Both must align with organizational priorities, not executive egos.

- Platform Strategy: Tailor content for each platform. Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok. Know your audience and demographic.

- Crisis Management: Handle negative social media comments strategically —hide misinformation, engage critics through patient advocates, and turn them into ambassadors.

- Staffing Impact: Media relations enhance recruitment by showcasing employee recognition stories, cultivating a positive workplace narrative that attracts top talent.

Episode Overview

In this episode of SoundPractice, Mike Sacopulos interviews Dan Collins, senior director of media relations at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. With nearly three decades of experience at Mercy and a journalism background with the Washington Times and Baltimore Examiner, Collins offers expert insights into how strategic media relations can transform healthcare organizations.

Mercy Medical Center's success story is remarkable: the urban community hospital grew from seventh to first in Baltimore's women's health market share, thanks to their "magnet doc" philosophy — recruiting top-tier physicians whose reputations attract patients and peers. Collins explains the hospital’s innovative partnership with NBC affiliate WBAL for "The Woman's Doctor," a weekly TV segment running for over 30 years (likely the longest-running hospital media campaign in the U.S.).

The conversation explores tailoring content for different platforms, avoiding TikTok because of demographic mismatches, and managing social media crises by addressing misinformation while engaging critics directly. Collins emphasizes the importance of collaborating with hospital executives, ensuring media relations teams are part of strategic planning.

The episode concludes with how media relations support staffing challenges by creating recognition stories for nurses and other healthcare workers, demonstrating organizational values that aid in recruitment and retention.

Why It Matters
Patients choose doctors, not hospitals. Strategic media relations ensure the right physicians reach the right audiences at the right time.

Contact Dan Collins at dcollins@mdmercy.com 

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


Communications at a City Hospital with Media Relations Director Dan Collins

Dan Collins

Operations and Policy

Communication Strategies

Environmental Influences

Healthcare Process

In this episode of SoundPractice, host Mike Sacopulos sits down with John Sawyer, PhD, ABPP-CN, a neuropsychologist and medical director of professional staff experience at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, who leads initiatives to address physician burnout and improve well-being across Ochsner's 40,000 employees.

With healthcare facing a workforce crisis — an aging population requiring more care, fewer physicians entering the field, and reduced discretionary time among practitioners — Sawyer shares Ochsner’s innovative approach to tackling burnout. Since 2017, Ochsner has focused on three pillars: building individual resilience, improving ease of practice by reducing administrative burdens, and fostering team and culture development.

Sawyer also introduces his framework of four archetypes of burned-out physicians:

- Over-Engaged: Taking on too much, with unclear priorities.
- People-Pleaser: Struggling with boundaries and delegation.
- Perfectionist: Over-documenting and micromanaging.
- Cynic: Problem-focused and rejecting solutions.

He emphasizes the importance of creating psychological safety, where physicians can openly discuss challenges without fear of career repercussions. Effective well-being programs should address the entire healthcare team, as physicians rely on engaged support staff to function effectively. Also, Sawyer encourages organizations to start well-being initiatives now, view them as investments in retention and recruitment, and commit financial resources to wellness efforts — even those not tied directly to RVU generation.

Whether you are a healthcare leader or practitioner, this episode provides actionable insights into combating burnout and making your organization "irresistible."

Connect with Dr. John Sawyer on LinkedIn. http://linkedin.com/in/john-sawyer-phd-abpp-cn-a1b842156

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


Burned-Out Doctors: A Neuropsychologist's Guide to Physician Well-Being with Dr. John Sawyer

R. John Sawyer, II, PhD, ABPP-CN

People Management

Resilience

The HALM (Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management) Credential and New Textbook with Dr. Daniel Handel

RECENT EPISODES

AAPL Helix: Transforming Physician Leadership Development Through Innovative Technology

Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Power of Executive Coaching with Vivek Iyer

Confronting Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare with Dr. Matthew Mazurek

Strategic Thinking for Physician Leaders with Dr. Michael Gardner

Communications at a City Hospital with Media Relations Director Dan Collins

Burned-Out Doctors: A Neuropsychologist's Guide to Physician Well-Being with Dr. John Sawyer

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