The Fire Chief

The Fire Chief podcast, hosted by Dr. Lee Scheinbart, brings you frontline, candid conversations about what its like to be a Chief Medical Officer at a time when the health care is on fire. And getting hotter all the time. Being a CMO is no small task and it takes intentional preparation, although some of it feels like a trial by fire. Becoming a CMO is like a career in firefighting. You start by going to firefighter school and you train and drill until you are ready to fight a fire. You put on the uniform day in and day out doing your job, maybe even becoming a squad leader or captain one day. And then, perhaps, you become a Fire Chief, or in this case, the Chief Medical Officer. This podcast is dedicated to the CMO.
Episodes
Episodes



Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Be A Knight. Not A Knave.
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
In this "top ten" episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Dr. Sachin Jain, a prolific writer and amazing leader in transformative healthcare delivery. They discuss Dr. Jain's journey from medicine to executive roles, the challenges of driving transformational change in healthcare, and the importance of clinical voices in leadership positions. The conversation highlights the need for innovative approaches to support vulnerable populations and the evolving role of young physicians in shaping the future of healthcare. Dr. Jain emphasizes the significance of treating healthcare professionals with respect and the necessity of taking risks to foster change.



Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Don't Ask For Permission!
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart breaks down the Breakdowns with Preston Alexander, the self proclaimed Taylor Swift of LinkedIn healthcare writing. A seasoned healthcare entrepreneur, and author of The Healthcare Breakdown and the Forward / Health Breakdown newsletters, Preston discusses the challenges and opportunities facing physician leaders in today's healthcare landscape. Together Preston and Lee explore the importance of financial literacy among physicians, the impact of healthcare financialization, and the need for physician leaders to take an active role in decision-making processes. Preston shares insights from his work with Forward / Health, aimed at supporting physicians in establishing and growing their practices. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring physician leaders to confidently engage in their roles and advocate for positive change in healthcare.



Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
For Whom The Fiduciary Tolls? It Tolls For Thee.
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
In this intense episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, physician to the 44th President, Barack Obama, and author of "Transforming Presidential Healthcare." Dr. Kuhlman shares insights from his time as a Navy physician and director of the White House Medical Unit, discussing the importance of rigorous medical standards, the role of chief medical officers, and the ethical considerations in healthcare leadership. Medical officers have a clear fiduciary responsibility when they assess the health and wellbeing of those in positions of power, especially when the position (e.g. pilot, physician, official) involves very high stakes.



Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
The Nation's Doctor, Not Trump's!
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Dr. Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound and deeply personal conversation with Dr. Jerome Adams, the former U.S. Surgeon General. During the initial wave of COVID-19, Dr. Adams made some of the most impactful decisions in US history that only he could make. Perhaps the most crucial was his commitment to lead the nation and not to be painted as the politicized doctor of the President. Dr. Adams shares insights from his book 'Crisis and Chaos,' emphasizing the importance of effective communication, health equity, and the critical role of trust in healthcare. The two physician leaders also discuss lessons learned from the opioid epidemic, emergency readiness and response, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to safeguard public health as an issue of national security.



Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
The Hardest Interview Question. Ever.
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
As the United States heats up on multiple fronts regarding our military, our immigration policies, our access to healthcare, our rights to peaceful protest and our vaccine stance, this week's Fire Chief Podcast features Dr. Gerry Cox, a retired physician who served as a White House physician and held various leadership roles in the military and the Veterans Administration. Hosted by Dr. Lee Scheinbart, the two physician leaders discuss the challenges of navigating political crises, particularly in the largest integrated health system in the US. Throughout the program Dr. Cox shares valuable insights on leadership, the complexities of veteran care, and the ethical responsibilities of physicians in politically charged environments.



Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
A Man On A Mission
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
In this EXCLUSIVE episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Greg Murphy, a physician and member of Congress, discussing his journey from medicine to politics, his advocacy for physicians, and the challenges within the healthcare system. Dr. Murphy shares insights from his medical mission work, his experiences as chief of staff, and the importance of physician involvement in legislative processes. He emphasizes the need for reform in the insurance industry and the role of entrepreneurialism in healthcare, while also reflecting on the significance of faith and servant leadership in his life and career.



Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
You DON'T Learn This in Med School or Business School
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
This hot off the press episode of the Fire Chief Podcast discusses the recent closure of the Crozer Health System and its implications for healthcare in Delaware County. Host Lee Scheinbart and guest Dr. Marcin Jankowski explore the challenges faced by healthcare providers during this crisis, the impact on patient care, and the personal toll of such closures on medical professionals. They delve into the importance of leadership in navigating these turbulent times and reflect on their own experiences with hospital closures. In this conversation, Marcin Jankowski and Lee Scheinbart explore the evolving landscape of healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, the role of love in leadership, and the necessity of adapting to change. They discuss how personal values and relationships influence effective leadership and the need for leaders to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.



Tuesday May 27, 2025
Invest In People
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Michael Bakerman, the Chief Medical Officer at HCA Lawnwood Hospital. They discuss Dr. Bakerman's journey from cardiology to leadership roles in healthcare, the evolution of medical informatics, and the role of young physicians play in shaping the future of patient care. Dr. Bakerman shares insights on the challenges facing healthcare today, the importance of mentorship for aspiring CMOs, and the need for a collaborative approach in medical leadership. The conversation highlights the optimism for the future of healthcare and the critical role of CMOs in navigating the complexities of the industry.

The Fire Chief: The Chief Medical Officer Podcast
If you are a CMO in health care, this is the podcast for you. Every day there is a fire burning in health care. Oftentimes, it is the CMO that has to face the flames. Want to know what type of heat CMOs deal with on a regular basis? What unexpected dumpster fires have they encountered along the way? How they ascended into the toughest (& best!) job in healthcare? What leadership skills have helped them along the way?
Tune in to The Fire Chief!

Your Host
Dr. Lee Scheinbart practiced Hematology/Oncology for over 20 years and after directing his local cancer institute, he went on to serve as VPMA and later CMO at Health First Hospitals in East Central Florida. Currently he serves as Chief Health Affairs Officer for the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also Assistant Professor of Leadership Development at the College and the author of The CMO's Financial Primer, The Vital Handbook for Physician Executives. Dr. Scheinbart is also the Principal Instructor for the CMO Academy at the American Association for Physician Leadership.