Some physicians are motivated to assume medical staff leadership positions to advocate for quality patient care. Others assume leadership to maintain physician power and influence. Self-interest and self-preservation drive others. No matter what the motivation, physicians often assume MEC positions with little prior leadership history or inadequate preparation. As a result, when difficult issues arise they tend to generate conflict and rarely are resolved satisfactorily. This frequently leads to disenfranchisement, frustration and burnout.

MEC members must work collaboratively with hospital administrators whose focus is on day to day operations and fiscal accountability. When hospital administrators lack meaningful physician input, they are likely to make unpopular decisions, often creating a climate of suspicion and mistrust between physicians and administrators.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

• We help medical staff leaders focus and articulate their vision, values and goals of the organization.
• We assist leaders in clarifying mutual expectations and roles and responsibilities, and building processes to promote mutual accountability.
• We provide tools to increase the effectiveness of physician/administrator communication.
• We train physicians to lead more effective department meetings and manage conflict.
• We provide models and enhance physician feedback skills and improve the peer review process.
• We bring best practices of mentoring to promote fast-tracking learning of new leaders so that greater progress is realized.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Our retreats build trust and collaboration between Hospital Administrators and Medical Staff Leaders. Our results lead to:

• Increased trust level between administration and physicians
• Elevated quality of medical staff meetings
• Improvement in the peer review process
• Enhanced group decision-making and interaction
• educed stress and better management of conflict
• Mutual accountability

FOUR KEY PROVEN APPROACHES

• Collaboration and Partnership: Create a shared vision, build trust and strengthen communication at all levels.
• Organizational Development: Align the vision and values of the institution with expectations and behaviors of the medical staff leadership.
• Medical Staff Leadership: Provide training in the areas of effective meetings, conflict management and performance feedback.
• Team Building: Infuse energy and commitment in the team; elevate performance and accountability at all levels.

"Leadership Development Services helped us conduct two very successful medical staff retreats for incoming Medical Staff leaders. They effectively engaged physician leaders and conducted role-play activities that allowed for lively interaction and discussion. Their expertise in areas of communication, providing effective feedback, managing conflict, building team work and leading effective meetings has contributed to our success this year in building a strong medical staff organization."

Bill Horsley MD, President Medical Staff, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea

"Lois and Lory worked closely with me to plan and conduct two very successful leadership retreats for our medical staff chairs and administration team. There was meaningful, long-term learning that produced effective meetings and improved communication. A recent mini-retreat provided an opportunity for peer mentoring which allowed us to share key concerns and help support each other's learning."

Michael Schwimmer MD, President Medical Staff, Banner Desert Medical Center

"Lory's executive coaching helped me communicate with the Medical Staff in a difficult situation. As a result, we were able to strengthen trust between administration and Medical Staff. We now have an effective and strengthening partnership between our Board, Administration and the Medical Staff." 

Max Poll, CEO Scottsdale Healthcare

"I have seen significant improvement in my personal management and leadership as a result of the work with Lory Fischler of Leadership Development Services. Lory helped me improve my communication and feedback to my executive team and that has had an impact on accountability. My team is stronger and works together more effectively as a result of her coaching and training."