In this episode of "Coaching Healthcare Leaders," Dr. Alexander Itskovitch, medical director of the State Ser Cancer Center, shares his journey from aspiring surgeon to healthcare executive, highlighting the importance of mentorship, team empowerment, and work-life balance.

He discusses leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance patient care and emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive organizational culture. The conversation addresses physician burnout and the need for supportive leadership. Dr. Alexander’s insights offer valuable lessons on fostering resilient healthcare teams and enhancing patient outcomes through collaboration, innovation, and prioritizing staff well-being.



Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (00:00:02) Dr. Lisa introduces the podcast, its mission, and welcomes Dr. Alexander, highlighting his background and achievements.

Dr. Alexander’s Career Journey (00:02:16) Dr. Alexander shares his early interest in surgery, training path, mentorship, and progression into leadership roles.

Transition to Medical Director Role (00:04:51) Dr. Alexander discusses the pivotal decision to move into an administrative leadership position at a community cancer center.

Training Required for Hepatobiliary Surgery (00:05:31) Explanation of the educational and training pathway to become a hepatobiliary surgeon, emphasizing mentorship and apprenticeship.

Importance of Mentorship in Medicine (00:06:41) Discussion on the critical role of mentorship in medical training and ongoing professional development.

A Day in the Life of a Medical Director (00:08:09) Dr. Alexander describes balancing clinical and administrative duties, weekly schedule, and responsibilities as a cancer center director.

Impacting the Community Through Cancer Care (00:10:22) Exploration of how cancer screening, prevention, and high-risk programs benefit the local community.

Challenges in Cancer Screening and Follow-Up (00:12:45) Addressing logistical and socioeconomic barriers to effective cancer screening and follow-up, and their impact on outcomes and costs.

Information Overload and Integration in Healthcare (00:15:02) Challenges of managing vast medical information, the need for better integration, and the potential of AI to assist.

Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care (00:16:41) Examples of AI implementation to track incidental findings and improve patient safety and follow-up.

Barriers to AI Adoption in Health Systems (00:18:28) Discussion on IT limitations, need for expertise, and bridging the gap between IT and clinical teams for AI adoption.

Leadership and Team Management Philosophy (00:20:26) Dr. Alexander shares his leadership style, focus on culture, empowering team members, and hiring for fit and excellence.

Empowering Teams and Achieving Success (00:23:10) Anecdotes about hiring strong team members, their impact on clinical trial enrollment, and the motivation derived from a great team.

Work-Life Balance and Physician Well-being (00:24:19)- Strategies for Maintaining Personal Well-being, Setting Boundaries, and Encouraging Staff to Prioritize Self-Care.

Leadership Responsibility and Staff Consideration (00:26:20) Emphasizes the leader’s role in considering staff well-being, preventing burnout, and making thoughtful administrative decisions.

Conclusion and Appreciation (00:27:15) Dr. Lisa thanks Dr. Alexander for sharing his journey and insights, closing the episode.



Follow Dr. Itskovitch on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-itskovich-md-98510a103/]



 Navigating Healthcare Leadership: Dr. Alexander Itskovitch's Cancer Care & Team Empowerment Insights

In this episode of "Coaching Healthcare Leaders," Dr. Lisa interviews Dr. Tanya Harris, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Dr. Harris shares her inspiring career journey, leadership philosophy, and experiences developing innovative rehabilitation protocols. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, active listening, and creating supportive work environments. Dr. Harris addresses challenges in rehabilitation services, including insurance barriers and public misconceptions, and advocates for better systems and education.

The episode concludes with practical advice for healthcare leaders on fostering team engagement, finding purpose, and promoting joy in the workplace to enhance patient care.



Introduction and Guest Bio (00:00:02) Dr. Lisa introduces the podcast and Dr. Tanya Harris, summarizing her background and achievements in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Early Influences and Career Path (00:03:14) Dr. Harris discusses her early interest in medicine, family influences, and how mentorship led her to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Understanding Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (00:07:18) Discussion about the field’s origins, its under-recognition, and the importance of educating others about rehabilitation services.

A Day in the Life of a Medical Director (00:08:20) Dr. Harris describes her daily routine, balancing patient care and staff engagement, and her focus on team collaboration.

Leadership Style and Team Empowerment (00:11:19) Dr. Harris explains her “roundtable” leadership style, encouraging all team members to have a voice and fostering inclusivity.

Improving Team Collaboration: Practical Example (00:15:55) A real-life example of nurses and therapists collaborating to solve patient care issues, resulting in improved outcomes.

Challenges in Rehabilitation Medicine (00:18:41) Dr. Harris outlines major challenges: lack of awareness about rehab services and insurance barriers, and shares strategies to address them.

Healthcare Systems: US vs. New Zealand (00:22:36) Comparison of healthcare systems, highlighting New Zealand’s dual public-private model and its benefits for patient care and provider costs.

Leadership Pearls and Personal Priorities (00:24:20) Dr. Harris shares advice for leaders: set priorities, act with intention, and cultivate personal joy to enhance leadership and care.

Closing and Contact Information (00:27:43) Dr. Harris provides her contact details and resources, and Dr. Lisa wraps up the episode.

Cultivating Joy in Healthcare: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Tanya Harris

In this episode of the "Leading Ladies in Healthcare" podcast, Dr. Lisa, a seasoned family physician, and executive leadership coach, addresses the challenges women face in the workplace, particularly the pressure to be likable. She identifies six habits that can undermine women's leadership presence: over-apologizing, second-guessing decisions, using soft language, avoiding conflict, deflecting praise, and exhibiting nervous body language. Dr. Lisa offers practical tips to overcome these habits, encouraging women to embrace their authentic selves while maintaining authority and assertiveness. The episode aims to empower women leaders in healthcare to recognize and combat gender bias.

Breaking the Likability Trap: Habits Women Leaders Must Overcome to Thrive

Dr. Lisa and Sandra Madhere engage in this edition of the Leading Ladies in Healthcare podcast regarding the vital place that personal branding has for women in leadership positions. Dr. Lisa first addresses the topic and recollects her experience working with Sandra to establish her brand image. Sandra then recalls her personal story and shift from working in corporate America to becoming an entrepreneur. Sandra emphasizes the essential role that genuine branding plays, which is about building a unique identity to connect with audiences. This episode reveals strategies for building your brand, including maximizing your social media use and networking skills. It stresses the importance of women coming together to help one another reach their career goals.



If you are looking to work with Sandra Madhere to develop your personal brand then click here [https://www.sandramadhere.com/contact-us]!



If you are at a crossroads and need guidance on the next steps in your career, schedule your discovery call today! Click here [https://schedulewithdrlisa.as.me/strategy] to schedule a call with me!

Branding with Sandra Madhere

In this episode of "Leading Ladies in Healthcare," Dr. Lisa delves into the theme of "embracing a leadership presence" with a focus on confidence. She defines confidence as projecting strength and decisiveness to inspire others. Dr. Lisa discusses traits of confident leaders, such as vision, courage, gratitude, effective communication, and accountability. She emphasizes that confidence is a continuous journey, advocating for self-reflection, positive self-talk, and continuous learning. Practical exercises like vision boards and pre-meeting rituals are suggested to build confidence. Dr. Lisa concludes by encouraging listeners to seek feedback and embrace their authentic selves.



If you would like to book your discovery call, click here [https://schedulewithdrlisa.as.me/schedule/6005187b/appointment/1096682?appointmentTypeIds[]=1096682here]! I look forward to hearing from you!

Embracing Your Leadership Presence Part 2: Confidence

In this episode of "Leading Ladies in Healthcare," Dr. Lisa, a family physician turned executive leadership coach, explores the concept of "leadership presence" for women in healthcare. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, confidence, communication, and inspiration in leadership roles. Dr. Lisa shares strategies such as understanding core values, building self-awareness, enhancing communication skills, and owning one's story. She also recommends daily practices like journaling and seeking feedback to develop leadership presence. The episode aims to empower women to confidently and authentically navigate their professional lives in healthcare.

Embracing Your Leadership Presence

Dr. Lisa Herbert, a family physician turned executive leadership coach, introduces her new podcast, "Leading Ladies in Healthcare." She shares her personal journey from clinical medicine to healthcare leadership after experiencing burnout. Dr. Lisa's mission is to empower women in healthcare to thrive and become effective leaders. She reflects on valuable lessons from her career and highlights episodes from her former podcast, "Women Physicians Lead." Dr. Lisa invites listeners to follow and subscribe to empowering content on healthcare leadership.

Welcome to the Leading Ladies in Healthcare Podcast! 

In this episode of the Women Physicians Lead podcast, Dr. Lisa Herbert discusses navigating career transitions for women in healthcare leadership. Sharing her own experiences, Dr. Herbert addresses the challenges and introspective questions that arise during such transitions. She emphasizes the importance of having a plan, seeking support, and allowing oneself to evolve. Additionally, Dr. Herbert announces a shift in the podcast's focus to include a broader audience of women in healthcare leadership, with a new title and release schedule date of Tuesdays. Her insights aim to empower listeners to confidently navigate their professional crossroads.



If you are at a crossroads and need guidance on the next steps in your career, schedule your discovery call today! Click here [%20https://schedulewithdrlisa.as.me/strategy] to schedule a call with me!



If you want to discover your purpose, set your career goals, and prepare for the next best leadership role look no further. I am offering for a limited time my Career Reinvention Audit Session designed to provide you with a 30-day roadmap for reinventing your career and thriving as a leader click here [https://www.justtherightbalance.com/offers/TBWdwUbg]. I look forward to working with you!

At The Crossroads of a Career Transition: Navigating the Uncertainty

In this episode of the Women Physicians Lead podcast, Dr. Lisa discusses "the power of persuasion and influence" for women physician leaders. She emphasizes that influence is crucial for effective leadership, focusing on guiding and inspiring others rather than controlling them. Dr. Lisa addresses challenges like gender biases and self-doubt and offers strategies to build influence, such as developing expertise, effective communication, building relationships, leading by example, and understanding team dynamics. The episode underscores the importance of influence in driving meaningful change in healthcare and encourages women leaders to harness this skill.



If you want to discover your purpose, set your career goals, and prepare for the next best leadership role look no further. I am offering for a limited time my Career Reinvention Audit Session designed to provide you with a 30-day roadmap for reinventing your career and thriving as a leader click here [https://www.justtherightbalance.com/offers/TBWdwUbg]. I look forward to working with you!

Building Bridges: The Key Role of Influence in Women’s Healthcare Leadership

In this episode of the Women Physicians Lead podcast, Dr. Lisa, the host, offers guidance to women physicians navigating career transitions and reinventions. She identifies five common mistakes to avoid: neglecting self-reflection, overlooking financial planning, underutilizing professional networks, ignoring the need for new skills, and failing to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Dr. Lisa emphasizes the importance of clarifying goals, assessing financial readiness, leveraging connections, acquiring necessary skills, and prioritizing self-care. Her insights aim to support women physicians in making informed and successful career changes.



If you want to discover your purpose, get set on your career goals, and prepare for the next best leadership role look no further. I am offering for a limited time my Career Reinvention Audit Session designed to provide you with a 30-day roadmap for reinventing your career and thriving as a leader click here [https://www.justtherightbalance.com/offers/TBWdwUbg]. I look forward to working with you!

Empowering Your Career Shift: Avoid These 5 Mistakes for a Smooth Transition

Today women represent more than 50% of the medical school class, yet only hold
20% of the positions in the C-suite. My own journey with leadership was by trial
and error. I wanted to represent the 20% but quickly realized, there was no
leadership path to follow or defined curriculum to teach me the skills I needed
to adjust quickly to this new role. I struggled with balancing work and family,
navigating our complex healthcare system, and trying to find my voice in
leadership. After 20 years in the healthcare field with leadership roles in
academia, public health, the insurance industry, and hospital administration, my
mission is to help increase the number of women physicians in leadership roles
by equipping them with the personal and professional development skills they
need to be successful. Women physicians are often deterred from seeking
leadership roles due to the lack of organizational support of work-life
integration, gender equity, racial discrimination, and equality in pay. Having
women in leadership roles not only creates the pipeline for future leaders but
also improves the delivery of care to the communities we serve.

Lisa Herbert

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