Episodes

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 experie...

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 collaborati...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Austin Chang, an interventional gastroenterologist and Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic. They discuss Dr. Chang's journey in healthcare, the importance of patient education, and the role of social media in disseminating medical information. Dr. Chang talks about his book about gut health, the challenges of navigating the healthcare ecosystem, and the need for healthcare professionals to engage with social media to re...

Summary In this sparky episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, Dr. Ghazala Sharif discusses her unique dual role as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operations Officer at Scripps Health. She shares insights on the importance of rapid decision-making in healthcare, especially during crises like COVID-19, and emphasizes the need for physician involvement in operational decisions. Dr. Sharif also addresses the challenges of building trust among physician leaders and the importance of work-life integrati...

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 politica...

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 ph...

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 ...

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 importanc...

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 t...

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 ...

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 respons...

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 physi...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Gil Padula, the Chief Medical Officer at Bon Secours Mercy Health. They discuss Dr. Padula's journey from being a radiation oncologist to a CMO, the challenges faced in healthcare leadership, and the importance of effective communication especially in the physician lounge!! Dr. Padula shares his insights on preparing for his leadership role describing that at times it as though he is an Intern all over again. He emphas...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Kristin Mascotti, the newly appointed Market Chief Medical Officer for Greater Colorado and Kansas at Common Spirit Health. Dr. Mascotti shares her unique journey to becoming a CMO, highlighting her background in pathology and transfusion medicine, and her passion for quality management in healthcare. The conversation explores the evolution of physician leadership and the challenges faced by CMOs, including crisis mana...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Elizabeth Warner, Chief Medical Officer at Cherry Health and co-author of Conversations Worth Having in Healthcare: Boost Satisfaction & Quality Using Appreciative Inquiry. They discuss the importance of leadership preparation, and the need for self-care and resilience in the role. Dr. Warner shares her journey to becoming a CMO with a focus on the significance of asking generative questions to foster improvement. The ...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Rex Hoffman, Chief Medical Officer at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and author of I Want to Be a Chief Medical Officer : Now What? They discuss Dr. Hoffman's journey to becoming a CMO, particularly the things he HAD to know before taking the role along with the importance of mentorship, and his efforts to write material for others to become a CMO. Dr. Hoffman shares insights on leadership styles, the significanc...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Stephen Brass, the Chief Medical Executive at Harris Health. They discuss Dr. Brass's journey to becoming a CMO, the importance of mentorship, various leadership styles, and the challenges faced in executive decision-making. To be an effective leader you have to realize you MUST learn to deal with the gray and that you won't always make people happy (or else go sell ice cream)! The conversation also touches on the crit...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Louis Marshall, Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. They discuss Dr. Marshall's journey to becoming a CMO, the importance of education and mentorship in healthcare leadership, and the challenges faced in the role, particularly in addressing toxic workplace cultures. Dr. Marshall shares insights on leadership styles, the significance of data in decision-making, and the impact of effective mentorship on care...

In this Holiday Edition of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart discusses the evolving format of the show, emphasizing the importance of providing timely tips and insights for Chief Medical Officers (CMOs). He shares a personal story about managing physician contracts, highlighting the challenges faced in compensation negotiations. The podcast also addresses current issues in physician compensation due to changes in CMS regulations and offers ten practical tips for CMOs to navigate these ...

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to the CMO, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Mark Olszyk, Chief Medical Officer at Carroll Hospital and author of The Chief Medical Officer's Essential Guidebook. They discuss the journey to becoming a CMO, the importance of leadership, and the challenges faced in healthcare. Dr. Olszyk shares valuable insights on navigating the complexities of the medical field, emphasizing the need for effective communication, teamwork, an...