Episode Details

Can leadership be taught, or is it something physicians must intentionally pursue?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Laura Suttin welcomes Dr. Lee Scheinbart, drawing from decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare leadership, Dr. Scheinbart shares his journey from hematology-oncology physician to physician leadership advocate. Together, they unpack the misconceptions surrounding physician leadership, challenge the notion that all physicians are leaders, and examine why many physician executives are expected to "figure it out" without proper preparation.

They explore:

• Why physicians are often selected for leadership without formal training
• The mindset shifts required to transition from clinician to leader
• How physician training can unintentionally reinforce behaviors that hinder leadership success
• The evolution of the Chief Medical Officer role over the last three decades
• Why leadership education may be most impactful during residency training
• The need for a modernized medical education system that incorporates human-centered skills alongside clinical excellence

This conversation offers valuable insights for physicians, healthcare executives, educators, and anyone interested in building stronger healthcare leadership pipelines.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Leadership must be intentional: Leadership isn't simply holding a title. Focus on developing others, mentoring colleagues, and creating future leaders within your organization.
• Recognize and challenge physician conditioning: Traits such as perfectionism, over-functioning, and self-sacrifice can support clinical success but may limit leadership effectiveness. Learning when to adapt these behaviors is critical.
• Invest in leadership development early: Residency and early career transitions may provide the best opportunities to introduce leadership principles, emotional intelligence, and organizational awareness.

About the Show:

Designing Healthcare That Cares is where leadership meets humanity. Hosted by Dr. Laura Suttin, the show explores what happens when compassion, connection, and courage come together to transform how we care—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves.

About the Guest:

Dr. Lee Scheinbart is a former Chief Medical Officer, physician executive, educator, and leadership strategist. He currently serves as Chief Health Affairs Officer and Assistant Professor of Leadership Development at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He is the principal instructor for the American Association for Physician Leadership's Chief Medical Officer Academy and the founder of The CMO Group, a physician-led advisory and leadership development organization focused on preparing the next generation of healthcare executives. He is also the creator and host of The Fire Chief Podcast, dedicated exclusively to the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers.

Website: chiefmedicaloutlook.com

Podcast: The Fire Chief Podcast

LinkedIn: Dr. Lee Scheinbart

About the Host:

Dr. Laura Suttin is a physician, leadership coach, and lifelong advocate for designing systems that truly care. After years of navigating the complexities of healthcare, she realized that compassion and connection aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the foundation of great medicine.

Today, Laura brings that vision to life through her work as a consultant, speaker, and host of Designing Healthcare That Cares. She helps healthcare leaders and clinicians rediscover their purpose, build resilient teams, and