The chief medical officer role has evolved dramatically over the last decade to meet the needs of the ever-changing industry, Matt Boles, MD, said, and keeping on top of the shifting trends requires a proactive approach to leadership.
“I think these changes and challenges are just going to continue, and in some cases get even tougher and more difficult to navigate, especially around economic and regulatory constraints,” Dr. Boles, CMO at Salem (Ore.) Health Hospitals and Clinics, said in a Becker’s “Clinical Leadership Podcast” episode. “CMOs will need a good understanding of upcoming changes and need to anticipate how it’s going to impact their medical staff and maybe the makeup of that medical staff.”
For new and upcoming physician leaders, Dr. Boles has four pieces of advice for how to lead into the future.
1. Stay ahead of major legislative and regulatory changes by leaning in and understanding how they’ll reach the front line of the health system. “Don’t try to track it all yourself — surround yourself with experts and get involved with your state hospital association, which often hosts CMO calls covering upcoming federal and state legislative updates.”
2. Keep your C-suite connections strong and be proactive. “Reach out, round with your fellow executives, invite them to meetings like MEC when relevant to their area. Spend time with them regularly, even outside of urgent needs, to build ‘relational capital’ you can draw on later when you need a favor or partnership.”
3. Be mindful of the service lines and resources like residents, fellows, or specialty programs that large academic centers have but your community hospital doesn’t. Proactively build relationships with CMOs at the larger referral systems you might need to transfer patients to, before you actually need them — so there’s already a “name to a face” when a difficult transfer comes up.
4. Partner with your clinical leadership — physicians and nurses alike — and use them as a visible voice to the community. Have them speak publicly about the institution’s quality accolades, awards, designations, and ratings to build the health system’s brand and reputation as a trusted, high-quality care provider.
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