The Awful, No Good, Very Bad Employee: New Book on The Problem Employee

In this podcast episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Laura Hills, D.A.  Dr. Hills is well known for her programs, books, and articles, and notably, has been the staff development columnist for The Journal of Medical Practice Management since 1998.  Her newest book is, The Problem Employee:  How to Manage the Employees No One Wants to Manage.

Dr. Hills says, “Wouldn’t it be great if you never had a problem employee? But we must be realistic. If human beings are involved, there will be problems.” 

Many healthcare executives find the task of managing problem employees to be challenging, time-consuming, and a vexing test of their leadership ability and patience.  As you will hear in this interview, Laura Hills describes the choices that healthcare leaders must make:  To respond emotionally to the problem employee, or to respond strategically.

Designed specifically for healthcare executives, The Problem Employee, presents complete, clear, how-to-do-it strategies for managing problem employees and delves into 17 of the most challenging and diabolical problem employees that healthcare leaders are likely to encounter. 

This is the book healthcare executives will need whether they find themselves supervising a toxic, untrustworthy, pessimistic, burned out, lazy, overworked, cliquish, or childish employee -- or whether they manage a prima donna, a drama queen, a bully, a gossip, or even a slob.

LHills@bluepencilinstitute.com 
www.bluepencilinstitute.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-laura-hills-7362b410/
https://twitter.com/DrLauraHills

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

Dr. Peter Hotez on COVID-19 (Bonus SoundPractice Episode)

Peter Hotez MD Ph.D. is professor of pediatrics and molecular virology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is also co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development and Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics. He is a vaccine scientist who led the development of vaccines to prevent and treat neglected tropical diseases and coronavirus infections.

Mike Sacopulos interviews Dr. Hotez on his recommendations as we emerge from the COVID-19 “Eye of the Storm,” a discussion on emerging variants and vaccine development status, and the critical situation of vaccine hesitancy among physicians and healthcare workers.  He also registers an alarm on the disparities of the vaccine rollout – both in vaccine hesitancy and vaccine unavailability in minority groups.  He goes on to describe the targeting of minority groups by anti-vaccine messaging and the role of social media (and other organizations) in that effort.

Finally, Peter Hotez provides talking points for physician leaders on understanding their role during this pandemic, the importance of recognizing the enormous pressures that physicians and healthcare workers are facing – emotional, mental, and physical – and how physician executives and leaders can help. 

https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/preventing-next-pandemic

hotez@bcm.edu

@PeterHotez

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

Successful Hiring, Onboarding, and Retention of Physicians

Susan Quirk is a Managing Director with Three-Sixty Advisory Group and has more than 25-years of experience partnering across healthcare organizations to improve key metrics by overcoming a myriad of issues related to engagement, productivity, recruitment, retention, and patient experience from the C-suite to the front line. 

In this practical podcast interview, Susan Quirk flags the most common mistakes that organizations make when onboarding (or not onboarding) physicians, the importance of fit of the physician in both company structure and strategy, the list of reasons why physicians leave organizations, and the importance of peer mentors.  Her formula to minimize the involuntary turnover of physicians is important for all physician leaders to hear.

Susan Quirk is Managing Director at Three - Sixty Advisory Group
squirk@360ag.com

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

Dr. Michael Osterholm on COVID-19 (Bonus SoundPractice Episode)

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH is an epidemiologist and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at The University of Minnesota. 

One of the most sought-out experts on the pandemic, and a member of the COVID-19 Transition Advisory Board set up by Joe Biden, Dr. Osterholm has accurately predicted the trajectory of the novel virus.  In this 30-minute episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Dr. Osterholm on his perspective of the next three months and what leaders in health systems will encounter, the status on the highly mutated variant strains already being seen in other countries, and efficacy of the existing vaccines on the variant strains.  He also explains the “moon shot” of the COVID-19 vaccine development, field trials, approval process through the FDA, and manufacturing, all happening simultaneously.

Physician leaders need to consider the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of physicians and healthcare workers as they make suggestions to slow the transmission of the virus in our communities. Ongoing prevention and vaccines, including reassurance that no short cuts or skipped steps were taken in the of “Project Warp Speed” is crucial messaging to combat the 30%-40% of healthcare workers hesitant to be vaccinated.

Lastly, Osterholm discusses the “Fauci Effect” and the spike in interest in medical school and health careers in public health and epidemiology, inspired by front-line health workers. 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/about-us/cidrap-staff/michael-t-osterholm-phd-mph

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

An Alternative to Traditional Retirement: Considerations for Physicians

Most physicians follow or supplement their clinical practice with physician leadership roles, and wind down their careers by scaling back to part time executives or clinical consultants before official retirement. Richard Afable, MD, MPH, FACP, suggests an alternative. After retiring from CEO and executive roles at several large health systems, Dr. Afable now advocates for community wellbeing and the development of others as the President and Board Chair of BeWellOC in Orange County. In this episode, we interview Dr. Afable about how physicians can (and should) plan for a type of “third career” - one that focuses on significance and service. He also shares concepts that physicians can consider as they work towards a retirement plan. 

Richard Afable, MD, MPH, FACP

President and Board Chair, Be Well Orange County, www.bewelloc.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-afable-m-d-mph-84722b162/

Putting Inclusive Leadership into Practice

How can physician leaders be more inclusive? How can they make sure all voices are heard? We talk with Teresa Malcolm, MD, FACOG, MBA, CPE, CPXP, physician development coach and American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) board member, about what inclusive leadership means, how it relates to diversity and equity, and how physicians can integrate inclusivity into their teams and organizations. Dr. Malcolm shares her insights for developing self-awareness about individual beliefs and strengths and having effective conversations with coworkers. Tune in to hear Dr. Malcolm’s formula for sharing feedback, while ensuring respect and trust.

The Physician Leadership Journal (PLJ) cover story, “Enrich Your Team, Create the Future:  Incorporating Diversity and Inclusion Into Your Hiring Practices” HERE

Dr. Malcolm references this book in the podcast episode:  What If I Say the Wrong Thing? (25 Habits for Culturally Effective People) by Verna Myers

Teresa Malcolm, MD, FACOG, MBA, CPE, CPXP

Founder & CEO of Master Physician Leaders

www.mastermdleaders.com

Identifying, Hiring, and Retaining Exceptional Physicians: Improve Workplace Culture and Avoid Hiring a Narcissist

Patty Fahy, MD is an Internist with an expertise in physician leadership and a mission of creating strong cultures for healthcare organizations. Patty is the host of “Licensed to Lead” podcast.  In this fascinating episode, Dr. Patty Fahy offers ideas for identifying, hiring, and retaining exceptional physicians. Dr. Fahy also offers advice on improving healthcare entities’ corporate cultures. She provides very specific information around hiring physicians, the critical process of checking references, improving workplace culture, and working (or not working) with narcissists. 

Patty Fahy, MD
Fahy Consulting

www.fahyconsulting.com

www.physicianleaders.org/news/avoid-hiring-narcissist

Technology, Art, and Medicine

Marc Ringel, M.D. is an author, educator, and technology consultant, focusing on the intersection of healthcare and technology. As the author of “Digital Healing: People, Information, Healthcare,” he joins Mike Sacopulos in a thoughtful, measured, and intelligent discussion on the cutting edge of technology’s application to healthcare.  

https://marcringelmd.com

What Will Physician Leadership and Healthcare Look Like in 2030?

What current trends will alter the course of healthcare in the next decade?

Business Professor, Mauro Guillen, is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, “2030:  How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything.”

Prof. Guillen examines the global trends of an aging population, the rise of women millionaires, robotics and AI in healthcare, and discretionary spending vis-à-vis healthcare spending in Europe and North America.  His predictions and suggestions for the future are important for our SoundPractice listeners.  Hear his focus on medicine and suggestions for physician leaders and his projections for the changing face of leadership by 2030.

http://www.mauroguillen.com

The Time is NOW for Women in Healthcare Leadership

Cheryl Toth interviews Dr. Patricia A. Gabow, former CEO of Denver Health and author of the new book, TIME'S NOW for Women Healthcare Leaders:  A Guide for the Journey.  Covering topics such as pay and gender equality, leveling the playing field, societal barriers, bias and sexual harassment in an organization’s culture that doesn’t welcome women in leadership roles – this inspiring SoundPractice episode focuses on the lessons learned by Dr. Gabow, and is accompanied by her treasure trove of suggestions for creating a path to leadership.  

Hear Gabow’s philosophy of the benefit of having mentors and sponsors in an organization, the necessary alignment of strengths, values, and skills to achieve personal fulfillment as well as business success, and how women can, “Lead from where you are” to craft a personal path to leadership.  

Patricia A. Gabow, MD, MACP, is formerly the CEO of Denver Health and Professor Emerita University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

patriciagabow@gmail.com

Order your print copy here:  https://www.routledge.com/TIMES-NOW-for-Women-Healthcare-Leaders-A-Guide-for-the-Journey/Gabow/p/book/9781138365582

Order your eBook copy here:  https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429430671