Summary
Dr. Brian Wagers: Leading in Pediatric Care | Children’s Health
Dr. Brian Wagers: Leading in Pediatric Care
Background and Path to Pediatrics
This episode features Dr. Brian Wagers, Chief Quality Officer at Children’s Health. Here, he discusses his background and what led him into pediatrics, advice for leaders stepping into new roles, what he’s currently focusing on, and more.
Passion for Pediatrics and Quality Leadership
Dr. Wagers has known since he was 3 years old that he wanted to be a pediatrician. He initially thought he would practice general pediatrics, but fell in love with the hustle and bustle of the emergency department. His division chief planted the idea of becoming a quality and safety leader in his mind and eventually this is what he did. When the opportunity came up to become the Chief Quality Officer at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, he took it as it presented an opportunity to help more patients and colleagues.
Key Advice for Leadership Roles
When starting a new job, it’s important to take the time to get to know people and listen to their problems and concerns. Focus on how you can make their lives better and be honest with them. Moving forward, focus on improving hospital acquired infections and other areas of patient care. Encourage young physicians to build their leadership skills through experience and humbly learn from their mistakes.
Translating Clinical Skills to Leadership
Dr. Wages has a long career in the medical field, both as a clinician and a leader. He believes that many of the skills he has gained as a clinician translate to leadership, such as communication, comfort in conversations, follow through, and detail orientation. He encourages other clinicians to hone their craft and continue learning in order to take advantage of more opportunities.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 05/09/2023 and can be listened here.
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