The Fire Chief

Doctor vs Lawyer

In this crazy episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Tim Norton, Chief Legal Officer at Augusta Health. They discuss the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers in healthcare, the importance of understanding legal frameworks, and the challenges posed by legislative changes, particularly regarding Medicaid. Tim shares insights on effective physician leadership, emphasizing the need for curiosity and the ability to make tough decisions. The conversation also touches on the concept of captive insurance and its relevance to healthcare systems. In this conversation, Tim Norton and Lee Scheinbart discuss the complexities of healthcare leadership, focusing on the decision-making processes of physician executives, the importance of advocacy, and the challenges faced in medical staff dynamics. They explore the legal oversight in healthcare, particularly the difficulties of navigating business decisions that may not align with personal beliefs. The conversation culminates in addressing the pressing issue of Medicaid and its implications for healthcare access, while also recognizing the dedication of healthcare leaders.

Don't Get Trivialized!

In this remarkable episode, Dr. Stephen Klasko shares his journey from aspiring DJ to a prominent figure in healthcare innovation. He discusses the importance of patient-centered care, the evolving role of chief medical officers, and the impact of AI on the future of medicine. Klasko emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to adapt to changing environments and redefine their roles to lead effectively in a transformative healthcare landscape. In this conversation, Stephen Klasko and Lee Scheinbart discuss the evolving roles of leadership in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, the need for diverse perspectives, and the necessity for CMOs to avoid being trivialized. They explore how personal strengths and superpowers can shape effective leadership, the value of innovative thinking in healthcare delivery, and the critical need for a shift in "doctoring" paradigms to better prepare future medical professionals for the challenges ahead.

A Moral Responsibility

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Brian Vartabedian, Chief Medical Officer at Texas Children's Hospital. They discuss Dr. Vartabedian's journey from medical school to leadership, the challenges of opening a new children's hospital, and the importance of addressing physician burnout. The conversation also explores the evolving role of physicians in the age of technology, the distinction between transactional and interactional care, and the moral responsibility of physicians to engage in public discourse about healthcare issues.

This Is Fascinatingly Horrible

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Eric Bricker, Chief Medical Officer and founder of A Healthcare Z. They discuss Dr. Bricker's journey from a summer internship at the NIH to becoming a CMO, his experiences in healthcare billing, and the founding of Compass Professional Health Services. Dr. Bricker shares insights on the importance of financial literacy in healthcare, his motivation for creating educational videos, and the challenges faced by new physicians in understanding healthcare finance. In this conversation, Dr. Eric Bricker  emphasizes the need for humility, effective communication, and project management skills for aspiring Chief Medical Officers. The discussion also touches on the pressing issue of healthcare affordability and the necessity for leaders to address it proactively.

Don't Read The Comments

In this blazing episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Lara Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas which is experiencing an outbreak of measles. They discuss Dr. Johnson's journey back to her hometown, her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of both the virus and the media attention affecting her community. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by healthcare leaders, the importance of community commitment, and the impact of social media on caregivers.  Dr. Johnson shares insights on leadership, crisis management, and the need for physician engagement and transparency in healthcare communication.
 

The Complexity of Healthcare Is Not Obvious (To Them)

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Robert Underwood, Chief Medical Officer of San Juan Regional Medical Center in the Four Corners of the United States. They discuss Dr. Underwood's diverse background, including his military service, transition to medicine, and the importance of physician involvement in healthcare legislation. Dr. Underwood shares insights on leadership, decision-making in healthcare, and the personal challenges he has faced, including a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. The conversation emphasizes the value of physician leaders in shaping healthcare policy and improving patient care. In this conversation, Drs. Scheinbart and Underwood delve into the complexities of leadership in healthcare, the distinction between management and leadership, and the necessity for curiosity and compassion in effective leadership. The dialogue highlights the evolving landscape of healthcare leadership, its increasing financialization and the need for continuous learning and adaptation.

We're In The World Of Superlatives

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Mohsin Shabahang, Chief Medical Officer at WellSpan Health. They discuss Dr. Shabahang's journey from surgical oncology to healthcare leadership and how the healthcare system faces significant challenges related to compensation models.  Dr. Shabahang advocates for a balance between clinical productivity and other contributions and states, “external validations are valuable but should not define one's worth.”  Healthcare leadership is a marathon and Dr. "Mo" will share what it takes to run the race.

We Need Truth Tellers

In this blistering hot episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Doug Salvador, Chief Medical Officer at ATW Health Solutions and former CMO/CQO at BayState Medical Center. Dr. Salvador shares his journey from a first-generation American to becoming a physician leader, emphasizing the need for truth telling in healthcare and the crushing burden of responsibility carried by CMOs in today's healthcare landscape. He introduces the “CAUTI game” to the listeners and stumps the host, Dr. Lee Scheinbart while demonstrating how to effectively communicate to the Board of Trustees in the process.  The conversation highlights one of the single most pressing issues in healthcare (aka dumpster fire), which is the financialization of medicine and the need for CMOs to advocate for patients and communities.