Beyond the Mask: Physicians Leading in Complexity Jack Kitts MD, MBA President & CEO 61st Annual Ontario Anesthesia Meeting September 24, 2016

My ask of you… Learn your hospital’s Mission, Vision and Values Seek out a mentor/coach (you can have more than one and they don’t need to be a physician) Introduce yourself to your hospital leadership (Board Chair, CEO and Chief of Medical Staff) Get engaged in hospital improvement initiatives and explore leadership opportunities Ask yourself - “Am I prepared to lead or willing to follow?” Every so often, ask yourself the question: “Did I inspire anyone today?”

Our health system is rapidly evolving… Patients are different / sicker Demand is higher and growing Resources are insufficient to meet the demands Things are changing… shift from most highly skilled/highly paid professionals to less skilled/lower paid providers shift from hospital/institutional care to community care technology and discovery is changing the way we work

Ontario fee fight reveals doctors sense of entitlement “… the provinces doctors are finding their social media voice. Unfortunately, that voice is too often shrill, self-indulgent, and counterproductive….” “And right now, that reflects most badly on doctors, because their sense of entitlement is showing.” Andre Picard Globe and Mail October 6, 2015

Ontario doctors’ group lashes out against province’s tentative deal “Ontario doctors have a stark choice: They can essentially endorse a satisfactory four-year deal – a peace treaty – or they can declare war on the province, knowing that, on the battlefield, those most likely to knife them in the back are fellow physicians.” Andre Picard Globe and Mail July 26, 2016

Ontario doctors’ dispute lays bare deep divisions within medical profession “…features of strong undercurrent of disdain for a health system that does not allow private practice and a hatred of bureaucracy.”… “But for many doctors, the contract dispute is about much more than … money … It’s a vote … a plebiscite about the place of physicians in an evolving health care system.”… “The fault lines have been exposed. On Sunday, we will start to get a sense of how deep the cracks will become. Andre Picard Globe and Mail August 13, 2016

Are Ontario’s doctors prepared to lead… or willing to follow?

The Ottawa Hospital Board of Directors F - I - R - E - D ! Concerns about the future of TOH: financial viability staff morale quality of patient care Supervisor takes charge / CEO dismissed

Why me? People are watching... and judging! If you’re not willing to lead, are you prepared to follow? Your colleagues are critical Your team is everything

What is a physician leader? Physicians are seen as leaders in the health system Physician leaders need to be: seen as good doctors passionate about the well-being of their patients professional at all times personable and positive committed to the success of their hospital/health system Good physician leaders are chosen by others

Good leaders Who is a good leader? What makes them a good leader? What do good leaders do?

Good leaders inspire others to achieve more than they themselves believe is possible. Invictus

But we have a challenge… Most physicians don’t see themselves as leaders Most physicians do not set out to become leaders Most physicians are not trained to be leaders

Getting beyond the mask… Understand that others are watching and judging. Seek out a mentor/coach. Be a team player – collaborate. Get involved in hospital/health system improvement initiatives. Discuss leadership opportunities with senior leaders - medical and administrative Invest in management/leadership education and training Don’t underestimate the value of being engaged, prepared and in the right place at the right time.

Parting thoughts… Your focus is your patient – always Your goal is to inspire others Your energy, passion and positivity are contagious – use them Be a team player Be a leader, the rewards are priceless