Why Health Care Executives Must Be Intentional About Learning Leadership

There’s a common trend in health care leadership: skilled and competent physicians with impeccable track records and quality credentials become department leaders. “We take somebody who’s never had any training in leading and say, ‘Go lead a department’—and we expect them to do well,” explains Eric J. McNulty, associate director of the National Preparedness Leadership … Continue reading “Why Health Care Executives Must Be Intentional About Learning Leadership”

Why Leadership and Management Skills are Essential For People With Technical Backgrounds

Environmental health and safety (EHS) and occupational health professionals are known for their impeccable technical skills, but often have little formal training in management and leadership. In most science, engineering, and public health programs, coursework is already overflowing with important topics that need to be covered, and management and leadership training tend to fall by … Continue reading “Why Leadership and Management Skills are Essential For People With Technical Backgrounds”

Why Negotiation Skills are Essential for Working in Health Care

There are few things as predictable in life as conflict. But in a health care environment, many people misunderstand both the nature of conflict and how to manage it constructively.    “Human beings have conflict. Conflict is simply a difference of opinion,” says Ted Witherell, a faculty member in the Department of Health Policy and Management, … Continue reading “Why Negotiation Skills are Essential for Working in Health Care”

Why Physician Leaders Need to Build their Financial Management Skills

Physician leaders in today’s health care organizations face huge challenges: they are being asked to take on added responsibilities in clinical care, as well as to manage rising health care costs, all without sacrificing quality. Yet they have shrinking budgets and fewer resources to accomplish these goals. One of the best ways physician leaders can … Continue reading “Why Physician Leaders Need to Build their Financial Management Skills”

Digital Technology for Mental Health: Apps and Beyond

During and after the COVID pandemic, there’s been an influx of digital mental health applications. Experts debate their usage and efficacy, particularly regarding ethical and privacy considerations: for example, in a 2023 FTC settlement, online therapy app BetterHelp was fined for its use of private health data. Digital health technologies (DHTs) have the capacity to … Continue reading “Digital Technology for Mental Health: Apps and Beyond”

Using Simulation Exercises to Find Breakthrough Results in Quality Improvement

When health care leaders and professionals want to undertake improvement projects in their practice or organization, they often need help honing in on where to start. Unfortunately, that stagnancy leads to a lack of progress. “If we continue to do what we’re doing, we continue to get the results that we’re getting. If we want … Continue reading “Using Simulation Exercises to Find Breakthrough Results in Quality Improvement”

The Future of DEI in Health Care: How to Maintain, Protect, and Support Initiatives

For many health care organizations, necessary diversity, equity, and inclusion work has been ongoing for the past few years. After these initiatives pass the development stage, many are now experiencing roadblocks, pushback, or stagnation. What do we do now? DEI experts may be wondering. “Now the office exists, and you’re trying to hold onto it. … Continue reading “The Future of DEI in Health Care: How to Maintain, Protect, and Support Initiatives”

The Skills Physician Leaders Need Today

Physician leaders who join the two-week Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers program—usually those at the chief or medical director level—do so to hone the skills required for excelling at the next stage of medicine: the art of organizational business, increased financial literacy, and managerial skills. Yet, they walk away with those skills … Continue reading “The Skills Physician Leaders Need Today”