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Are You Ready to Lead?

September, 2019 | Scott Nygaard, M.D., MBA, COO

For most physicians, medical school did not include business administration and leadership courses. But both could have been beneficial in terms of us understanding the “business aspects” of medicine, from revenue cycle, information technology, strategy and human resources, as a few examples. Although many see physicians as leaders, the qualities and skills needed to lead may not come naturally as you have the opportunity to assume leadership. As Dr. Antonucci’s article this month alludes, the changing health care environment needs qualified physician leaders who can successfully lead practices, hospitals and other medical services and facilities. 

In small, private practices, physicians often wear many hats, and one of those is usually administrator. Most large practices have physicians in key administrative roles. In hospitals and other medical facilities, physicians in leadership roles are increasing as value-based, patient-centered care becomes more prominent in the industry. Lee Health has a physician in its top administrative position for the first time in more than 40 years. And today, every hospital in our health system is led by a dyad – a physician and nurse administrative team.

We are looking to improve physician opportunities to actively participate in the recommendation and decision-making process affecting patient care as well as the operations of the health system – not just at the bedside. There are many opportunities for involvement; here are a few; however, please reach out to any of the current executives if you wish to explore further opportunities for involvement:

  • Clinical Collaboration Council (CCC) – System-wide council created to advance the principles of clinical standardization to drive clinical excellence and resource stewardship.
  • Clinical Consensus Groups (CCGs) – System-wide groups, established by the CCC to standardize clinical care and reduce clinical variation through the development of evidence- and consensus-based practice standards. Current CCGs include Surgery, Pulmonary Critical Care, Infection Prevention and Hospitalist Medicine.
  • Data Governance Stewardship Sub Committee - Formed at the request of the PLC to create a process to transparently share performance data (individual, departmental, organizational) and objectively evaluate performance to national best practice standards in a collegial environment with an “all teach/all learn” focus.
  • Joint Operating Committees - At the facility level, leaders of the Medical Staff and Nursing Staff collaborate with the facility dyad on operations of the facility, and:
  • Presentation of actionable data
  • Gathering feedback on how to improve on the challenges at the facility
  • Allowing more physician voice 
  • Discussion regarding barriers for physicians
  • Education around the quality metrics (LOS, Readmission, On-time start, blood transfusion rate etc.) 

Medical Staff Leadership

  • Medical Executive Committee (MEC) – Facility-specific, Medical Staff members
  • Department Chairs and Section Chiefs
  • Medical Staff Quality Committees
  • Credentialing Committees 

If you’re interested in getting involved, or looking for a new challenge, talk to the Medical Staff Office or hospital dyad leaders, or drop me an email, scott.nygaard@leehealth.org or give me a call 239-343-6511 to further discuss your interest.