President Harry S. Truman had a sign on his desk that read,“The buck stops here.” It was his reminder that the ultimate decision-making authority rested in his office. President Truman’s sign should sit on the board of directors’ conference table in most healthcare entities. As a national expert on healthcare governance, Sara Larch is well suited to guide us through the world of selection and service of members of boards of directors. Sara Larch brings 30+ years of industry experience in large physician groups in Integrated Delivery Systems and Academic Medical Centers, and eight years at Deloitte Consulting as Managing Director and National Leader of the Physician Enterprise (PE) practice. Whether you aspire to sit on a board or already a member, this episode of SoundPractice will be valuable to you. Ms. Larch helps us understand what characteristics are look for in potential board members. She lists questions candidates should ask before agreeing to serve. Ms. Larch walks us through new member orientation and techniques to become an effective member of the board. This episode of SoundPractice is a “how to manual for members of board of directors. Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

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A Seat at the Table: Sara Larch on Serving on a Board of Directors

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and this BONUS episode of SoundPractice highlights an interview with Julie Chua, PMP, CAP, CISSP, Director of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Division of Health and Human Service’s Office of Information Security. It follows a prolonged period of ransomware attacks on healthcare systems and providers. In fact, ransomware attempts, and attacks have been so severe and pervasive as to harden the cyber insurance markets. Medical devices, emails, laptops, personal phones, fax machines interconnected with billing systems or the hospital EHR – are all risks for healthcare organizations.  Director Chua provides sources of governmental assistance and useful recommendations. She makes a strong case for cyber being included in enterprise risk management planning and why cyber safety is also patient care and patient safety. This episode offers an important briefing on a critical issue by a high-ranking federal official. Resources mentioned by Director Chua may be found at https://healthcyber.mitre.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/405d-One-Pager.pdf. Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Cybersecurity in Healthcare with Director Julie Chua from HHS

Ken Terry is a journalist and author who has covered healthcare for over 25 years. Ken has served as technology editor of Medical Economics Magazine. His latest book is Physician-Led Healthcare Reform: A New Approach to Medicare for All, published by the American Association for Physician Leadership. Ken Terry and host, Mike Sacopulos, discuss current trends in healthcare reform, a look at the political landscape in mid-2021, and a suggested public plan that Ken published on the Health Affairs blog, “How A Public Option Could Hold Down Costs.” Whether or not the US embraces Medicare for All, cost controls will be paramount.  And only physicians know how to cut costs without sacrificing patient care. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hblog20210622.426793 Ken Terry https://physicianledreform.com/ https://shop.physicianleaders.org/products/physician-led-healthcare-reform-a-new-approach-to-medicare-for-all Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org 

Trends in Physician-Led Healthcare Reform, Cutting Costs Without Sacrificing Patient Care, and a Suggested Public Option, with Ken Terry

Matthew K. Wynia, MD, MPH, FACP, is Director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado.  He previously directed the AMA’s Institute on Ethics for 15 years. Given Dr. Wynia’s training in infectious diseases, public health and health services research, host Mike Sacopulos discusses a range of ethical issues in medical practice including the following: • Factors that caused our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, what happened to the playbook for pandemic response? • The ethics surrounding vaccine mandates.  • The need to improve systems that impact physician practice, not the need to improve physicians.  • Some research surrounding patients that are not truthful with their physicians. • Patient safety and racial disparities in outcomes, care delivery as medical errors, implications for physician leaders. As a bonus, Dr. Wynia discusses the application of the study of art to the practice of medicine.  https://www.cuanschutz.edu/centers/bioethicshumanities/facultystaff/matthew-wynia Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org 

Bioethics During a Pandemic: Missed Opportunities, Lying Patients, and Disparities in Patient Outcomes

COVID-19 has provided a steep learning curve for healthcare systems managing their supply chain. In a flash, PPE became as difficult to acquire as a popular child’s toy at the holidays. In this episode of SoundPractice we speak with Dr. Thomas Tsai about his experience and research on supply chains. Dr. Thomas Tsai is a surgeon and health policy researcher in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. How can hospital leaders work with clinicians on safety across the supply chain including delivering care and measuring care?  How to look at human capital as a supply chain factor, investing in the pipeline for a robust workforce?  How can healthcare systems predict short term demands upon the supply chain? What unintended consequences did the suspension of elective procedures trigger? This episode will help your organization prepare for the next unexpected surge in demand for care. Dr. Thomas Tsai https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/thomas-tsai/ Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org 

Logistics in the Age of Pandemic: Managing Your Health System’s Supply Chain

In this episode of SoundPractice, Mike Sacopulos and Dr. Peter Angood interview Dr. Anthony Fauci on the nuances of physician leadership during a pandemic.  As the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fauci, who has been a physician leader and in the forefront of medicine since the 1980s, will explain how he navigated the balance of clinical issues and political situations through seven presidential administrations, his take on both courage and humility for physician leaders, and his clarion call for vaccinations and the role of physician leadership in getting ahead of this pandemic. Dr. Angood discusses the tactical side of skill and competency building for physician leaders, physician leadership at this unprecedented time, and initiatives that the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) is undertaking on the Global scene.  As a bonus, Dr. Fauci shares his opinion on the best resources for physicians to access to stay abreast of news related to COVID-19.   Dr. Anthony Fauci https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/director Dr. Peter Angood https://www.physicianleaders.org/about/executive-management-bios/peter-angood Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org 

Physician Leadership in the Time of COVID-19 with Dr. Anthony Fauci

One of the hallmarks of practicing medicine in the 21st century is the creation and maintenance of electronic health data.  Although much of the discussion around data is about ransomware, breaches, and EHR systems, that discussion is expanding.  The Office of Civil Rights is in the midst of a right of access initiative to help patients get their medical records.   The CURES Act addresses information blocking.  This marks a change of focus from rules surrounding the protection of medical data to the use and accessibility of that data. In this episode of SoundPractice, Mike Sacopulos interviews Deven McGraw, Chief Regulatory Officer for Ciitizen and former Deputy Director for Health Information Privacy at The Office of Civil Rights. Ms. McGraw will walk us through the rules for and status of Information Blocking. She will also cover the recent Office of Civil Rights’ Right of Access Initiative policies surrounding the “Designated Records Set.”  Since HIPAA went into effect in 1996, healthcare providers have been endeavoring to safeguard patient data. After 25 years, prepare to shift your thinking. Join us for a look at healthcare data, patient privacy, and the law. Deven McGraw Co-Founder & Chief Regulatory Officer, Ciitizen.   deven@ciitizen.com Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Sharing is Caring: Your Patients’ Data and Information Blocking

Dr. Ana Pujols McKee is the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for The Joint Commission. In this episode, we will talk with Dr. McKee about racial disparities in healthcare and ways to address those disparities. Vaccine hesitancy and general trust in medicine by the public are explored. Finally, we turn toward new initiatives and activities of The Joint Commission. This is an important episode featuring a national healthcare leader. Dr. McKee’s keen insights and her experience are not to be missed. https://www.jointcommission.org/about-us/joint-commission-officers/ana-pujols-mckee/ amckee@jointcommission.org Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

The Joint Commission, Patient Parity, and New Initiatives with Dr. Ana Pujols McKee

Apple TV+ launched “Ted Lasso” in the fall of 2020. The series focuses on an American football coach (played by Jason Sudeikis) who is hired to coach an English soccer team. But Ted Lasso is less about sports and more about leadership.  A Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild, and a Critics Choice Award later, along with charming an ever growing audience, we are ready for the second season. In this episode of SoundPractice we will talk with Gary Schwartz, MD, MHA, President, Associated Eye Care, about his LinkedIn article, “Leadership Lessons from Season One of Ted Lasso.” Dr. Schwartz found ten crucial leadership lessons woven into the Ted Lasso series. This episode serves proof that SoundPractice can be hip, socially relevant, and educational -- simultaneously. Gary Schwartz, MD, MHA President, Associated Eye Care Stillwater, MN https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gary-schwartz-md-mha-775b51_leadership-lessons-from-ted-lasso-activity-6789711939418279937-qlti Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Leadership Lessons for Physicians from Ted Lasso

The Coronavirus and COVID-19 have taught the healthcare profession many lessons over the past year and a half. One of those lessons was the vulnerability of supply chains. In the midst of battle, King Richard exclaimed “My kingdom for a horse!” The 2020 equivalent was “My kingdom for PPE!” Natural disasters, geopolitical upheavals, and isolated catastrophes serve as causes for removed from their effects upon our healthcare systems. In this episode of SoundPractice, we will be joined by Bindiya Vakil to explore supply chain strategies and vulnerabilities. Ms. Vakil is the founder and CEO of Resilinc, a provider of AI-based supply chain mapping and disruption monitoring services, and the author of Harvard Business Review articles related to supply chain management. Resilinc assists firms with analysis and use of their supply chains. We will look at how a factory fire in India or a hurricane in Puerto Rico can impact a hospital in rural Iowa. Beyond an academic exercise, this episode will offer some concrete strategies for healthcare leaders charged with supply chain oversight. Join us for a discussion on planning for complexity and opportunities when it come to your supply chain on this episode of SoundPractice. https://www.resilinc.com/ Bindiya Vakil, Founder and CEO https://www.resilinc.com/about/ Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Your Supply Chain for Your Health System: Impact of Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and Manmade Disasters

The past eighteen months has seen an unpredictable level of federal financial support for healthcare providers. Provider Relief Funds and Employee Retention Tax Credit has assisted healthcare providers coping with decreased revenue resulting from the pandemic. In this Bonus episode we will talk with Domenic J. Segalla, Principal and Market Leader of Withum’s Healthcare Advisory Group. Domenic will identify currently available federal funds and the terms of qualification for these funds. This bonus episode has a short shelf life as federal programs expire. Don’t miss out on opportunities to receive additional federal funds. Join us for expert advice from Domenic Segalla on the methods to receive significant additional dollars under the CURES Act. Domenic J. Segalla Principal, Market Leader, Withum Healthcare Advisory Services http://www.withum.com dsegalla@withum.com Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

The Availability of Federal Funds and the CURES Act. A Bonus SoundPractice Episode

Randall Bickle, DO, JD, CPE, FAAPL, is the CEO and medical director of Olympia Medical LLC and a family practice physician at St. Joe’s Medical Group. A member of the AAPL Board of Directors and a board-certified physician in family practice and geriatrics, Bickle has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years.  In this practical podcast, Mike Sacopulos interviews Dr. Bickle on mentoring physicians, what makes for a beneficial mentor/mentee relationship, and some hints on getting started as a mentor.   We all can remember an older colleague that took interest in us early in our career. The success of the individual as well as the profession depends upon education and guidance. As a bonus, Dr. Bickle discusses professional duties, not from the patient perspective, but from the vantage point of junior colleagues. mentor/mentee relationship to time involved, we will analyze mentorships. This episode of SoundPractice will leave you with a sense of pride and a clear map of how to be a mentor. https://www.physicianleaders.org/about/faculty/randall-bickle Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Counseling Colleagues: Dr. Randy Bickle on Physician Mentorships

We have all seen the studies. The statistics on physician burnout and suicide are alarming. The general public is also experiencing an uptick in need of mental health and behavioral services. Dr. Kent Corso is Principal, NCR Behavioral Health, and is a nationally recognized expert.  His book with the AAPL, “Integrating Behavioral Health into the Medical Home: A Rapid Implementation Guide,” is a best-seller and sets forth success stories we need to know about health systems (and the VA) who have had put together successful behavioral health programs. Concerning physician suicide and physician wellness, Kent Corso and Mike Sacopulos discuss employee centered policies that help physicians, and how integrating behavioral health also help with the burden of duties on physicians, reducing physician burnout. Kent Corso’s book on Integrating Behavioral Health into the Medical Home: https://shop.physicianleaders.org/collections/all/products/integrating-behavioral-health-into-the-medical-home-a-rapid-implementation-guide kent@ncrbehavioralhealth.com Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

For Physician Leaders: Suicide in the Age of COVID-19, and Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care with Dr. Kent Corso

Medical schools are not only the gatekeeper to the profession but help chart the course of the entire medical profession. In this SoundPractice episode Mike Sacopulos interviews Anne VanGarsse, MD, CPE, MD, FAAP, CHCEF, the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Community Engagement and Population Health at California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she is also an associate professor of pediatrics and pharmacy. They discuss general trends in medical school admissions, (The Fauci Effect), class demographics and the applicant pool, and evolving curricula.  After an 11-year career in the private sector, Dr. VanGarsse entered academia and so she also provides insider tips for physician leaders who may consider an academic career path.  The conversation also addresses the Match Day process and the collective cause for concern for the lack of residency slots and the work that remains. https://www.physicianleaders.org/about/board/anne-vangarsse  

Trends in Medical School Admissions, Curriculum, Academic Medical Careers, and Musings on the Medical School Match with Associate Dean, Dr. Anne VanGarsse

Few would argue that the lack of sleep has detrimental effects upon performance.  Unfortunately, the healthcare industry has taken the “sleep is important for others” approach to operations and staffing.  In this episode of SoundPractice, we speak with Marty Martin a nationally recognized behavioral sleep expert and DePaul University professor.  His website, zestysleep.com, is a go to resource for numerous industry leaders when addressing optimal performance of their staff.  This episode looks at chronotypes, microbreaks, smartphones, and physician call coverage.  Marty Martin’s practical guidance to sleep offers useable information for both patients and physicians. Dr. Martin mentions www.zestysleep.com. It is a go to resource for numerous industry leaders when addressing optimal performance of their staff.  MARTYM@depaul.edu Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at www.physicianleaders.org  

Sleep, Health, and Healthcare with Marty Martin

SoundPractice delivers practical information and fresh perspectives for physician leaders and those running health care systems. Physician advocates Michael Sacopulos, JD (healthcare attorney, author, speaker) and Cheryl Toth, MBA (business writer, speaker - former practice consultant and healthcare tech executive) bring you the best thought leaders, crisp humor, and pithy tips for developing a practice that thrives.

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