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

2. 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?”

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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