The Fire Chief

Leadership, Strategy, and Career Development for Chief Medical Officers and Physician Executives
The Fire Chief is the podcast for Chief Medical Officers and physician executives navigating leadership in today’s complex healthcare environment. Hosted by an authentic physician executive and leader, each episode delivers practical insights on strategy, governance, physician engagement, organizational performance, and career development—through real conversations with experienced leaders and experts.
If you’re building influence, leading clinical teams, shaping organizational decisions, or preparing for your next executive role, this show is your frontline briefing.
Leadership, Strategy, and Career Development for Chief Medical Officers and Physician Executives
The Fire Chief is the podcast for Chief Medical Officers and physician executives navigating leadership in today’s complex healthcare environment. Hosted by an authentic physician executive and leader, each episode delivers practical insights on strategy, governance, physician engagement, organizational performance, and career development—through real conversations with experienced leaders and experts.
If you’re building influence, leading clinical teams, shaping organizational decisions, or preparing for your next executive role, this show is your frontline briefing.
Episodes
Episodes



May 6, 2025
The Enemy Gets A Vote
May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
43 min
Summary
In this flamethrowing episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Lieutenant General Mark Hertling to discuss the critical role of leadership in healthcare. They explore the development of physician leaders, the importance of interprofessional education, and the mulititude of crises faced by healthcare leaders in today's complex environment. The conversation delves into the impact of misinformation, supply chains, power outages, cyberattacks, funding and political crises on healthcare and how CMOs can address all of them. The conversation also leans into the necessity of embedding leadership principles in medical education as well as the concept of moral injury among healthcare professionals. Throughout the discussion, Hertling emphasizes the need for effective communication, resilience, and proactive crisis management in healthcare leadership.
May 6, 2025
43 min



Apr 29, 2025
Let's Put Med Students in the C Suite?!
Apr 29, 2025
Apr 29, 2025
44 min
In this remarkable episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, two former CMOs, now both dedicated to working with medical students, Dr. Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Stuart Marcus, a seasoned physician leader. Dr. Marcus was a surgical leader at Bellevue Hospital when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. His life changed forever that day, as did so many others. They discuss the importance of integrating leadership training into medical education and the need for students and physicians to be prepared for a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Dr. Marcus is pioneering a program for medical students to spend time with health system CEOs and to live and breathe the dynamics of healthcare from the C Suite. In this conversation, the two former CMOs discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare, focusing on change management, the future of physician leadership, the impact of AI, and the challenges faced by physician leaders. They emphasize the importance of understanding the reasons behind changes in healthcare, the necessity of team-based care, and the need for adaptability in leadership roles.
Apr 29, 2025
44 min



Apr 22, 2025
Never Bluff
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 22, 2025
47 min
In this masterful episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Doug Koekkoek, a former Chief Physician Executive, discussing his journey in healthcare leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges faced by Chief Medical Officers today. They explore the transition from clinical roles to executive positions, the significance of leadership training, and the complexities of labor relations in healthcare. Dr. Koekkoek shares insights on addressing professional behavior among physicians and the evolving landscape of healthcare management. In this conversation, Doug Koekkoek and Lee Scheinbart discuss the complexities of hospital management, particularly focusing on the roles of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in navigating peer review processes, the importance of preserving physician careers, and the financial pressures facing healthcare systems today. They emphasize the need for transparency in peer review, the challenges of consensus building in large health systems, and the shift towards outcome-based credentialing.
Apr 22, 2025
47 min



Apr 15, 2025
A (bit of a) Reluctant Leader
Apr 15, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
44 min
In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Christopher Chisholm, the Chief Medical Officer of Providence Swedish Central Service Area. They discuss Dr. Chisholm's journey from military medicine to civilian healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, the role of influence in leadership, and the impact of mentorship. In this conversation, Chris and Lee discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of women in executive roles. They share personal experiences related to crisis management, one of which is the ongoing doctor shortage. The dialogue highlights the need for adaptability in medical practice and the significance of calm leadership during chaotic situations. Chris reflects on lessons learned throughout both his military and his civilian careers, advocating for patience and humility as essential traits for effective leadership.
Apr 15, 2025
44 min



Apr 8, 2025
Doctor vs Lawyer
Apr 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025
38 min
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.
Apr 8, 2025
38 min



Apr 1, 2025
Don't Get Trivialized!
Apr 1, 2025
Apr 1, 2025
45 min
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.
Apr 1, 2025
45 min



Mar 25, 2025
A Moral Responsibility
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
38 min
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.
Mar 25, 2025
38 min



Mar 18, 2025
This Is Fascinatingly Horrible
Mar 18, 2025
Mar 18, 2025
35 min
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.
Mar 18, 2025
35 min

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.





