What happens when physicians become hospital CEOs?

Hosted by Tim Babineau, MD, a surgeon-turned-CEO who led the largest health system in Rhode Island before joining ECG, this series explores why physician executives are uniquely positioned to guide health systems through today’s most pressing challenges.

Featuring candid conversations with six physician CEOs, the series dives into their journeys from the exam room to the boardroom and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Three Key Takeaways

1. Clinical Perspective Adds Value
   Physician CEOs bring empathy, a deep understanding of patient care, and the ability to bridge communication between providers and administrators.
2. Leadership Requires New Skills
   Success in the C-suite demands education, mentorship, and the ability to balance clinical thinking with an executive mindset.
3. Patient-Centered Decision-Making Is Essential
   The patient needs to be at the center of strategy. Put patients first, and everything else follows.

Participants

• Joanne Conroy, MD, President and CEO, Dartmouth Health
• Eric Dickson, MD, President and CEO, UMass Memorial Health
• Steven Kalkanis, MD, Executive Vice President and CEO, Henry Ford Hospital; CEO, Henry Ford Medical Group
• David Linehan, MD, CEO, University of Rochester Medical Center; Dean, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
• Sunny Eappen, MD, University of Vermont Health System
• Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, President, Beth Israel Lahey Health

Episode One: Dr. Joanne Conroy of Dartmouth Health and Dr. Eric Dickson of UMass Memorial Health explain how their clinical expertise helps them find the path between quality and cost.

Episode Two: Dr. Steven Kalkanis of Henry Ford Hospital and Dr. David Linehan of University of Rochester Medical Center describe the scientific and analytic edge that physicians bring to problem solving.

Episode Three: Becoming a leader begins with saying yes to opportunities. That’s the message from Dr. Sunny Eappen, formerly of University of Vermont Health System, and Dr. Susan Moffatt-Bruce of Beth Israel Lahey Health.

Bonus Episode: ECG CEO Chris Collins talks with Tim about findings from the series, the dynamics between physician leaders and the c-suite, and the relationship between physician executives and the physician enterprise.