Reading List: "Lessons Learned"

In Lessons Learned: Stories from Women in Medical Management (American College of Physician Executives, $25), editor and author Deborah Shlian, a former family practice physician, compiled and edited the stories of two dozen women physicians who hold leadership positions in a variety of healthcare fields. She spoke to Healthcare Finance News about her book.

Q: Please give us a brief description of your book, and share with us what you think is its most important take away for readers.

[See also: Reading List: Fredric Tobis, 'The Healthcare Crisis: The Urgent Need for Physician Leadership']

A: In Lessons Learned: Stories from Women in Medical Management, 24 women physicians share their career paths from clinical medicine to leadership within academia, hospitals, pharma, managed care, government, provider groups, consulting and entrepreneurial ventures, including the obstacles and challenges faced in balancing work, family and personal life.

The most important takeaway is that the path to success isn’t a straight line. All the women profiled in Lessons Learned have had to work through various difficult issues at some point, becoming stronger and more resilient in doing so. Anyone embarking on a management career or even those already on a career path (in any field) can learn from the failures as well as the successes that each of the contributors has found along the way.

Q: Why is it (or is it) important that folks in the healthcare industry visit this topic – women leaders in medical management?

A: Despite the fact that women now comprise 50 percent or more of U.S. medical school classes, only about 16 percent fill the most senior management positions within the healthcare system. At a time when everyone agrees that the healthcare delivery system needs fundamental change, this book ultimately makes the case for more talented women physician executives, articulate in the language of healthcare policy and business, to be among those leading the way.

[See also: Reading List: Steven Dinkin, 'The Exchange Strategy for Managing Conflict in Health Care']

Q: Which of the stories stood out the most to you and why?

A: I think all of the stories are inspiring as they demonstrate the drive, generosity, courage and heart of these women physicians. Here are just a few examples:

• Florence Haseltine, PhD, MD is a biophysicist, reproductive endocrinologist, journal editor, novelist, inventor and advocate for women's health who overcame severe dyslexia to build a rich and diverse career in medicine. Dr. Haseltine has been recognized for her contributions in the field of women's health and reproductive science by election to the Institute of Medicine (IOM); a Weizmann Honored Scientist; a Kass Lecturer; a recipient of the American Woman's Medical Association Scientist Award; a recipient of The Kilby Laureates Award; a Health Hero honoree of the American Health For Women Magazine; a Prevention Magazine "Hall of Fame" honoree; Ladies' Home Journal "Champions of Women's Health" honoree; the Advocacy Award from Research America for the Society for Women's Health Research; received the Barbara Eck Menning Founder's Award; a member of many professional societies; and the author of numerous publications. Dr. Haseltine is married and the mother of two accomplished young women.
• Hoda Asmar, MD, MBA, (who) was born in Lebanon, overcame gender bias in her own family before going to Paris and then to the U.S. to complete her medical training. A single mom, Dr. Asmar is now senior vice president and chief medical officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in New Mexico. Along the way, she has held the roles of CMO for Edward Health Services in Naperville, Ill. and St. Joseph's Medical Center in Macomb, Mich., and VPMA at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac, Mich. 
• Kathy Maglioto, MD, MBA is one of a few female heart surgeons in the world, (and is) a nationally known expert on heart disease in women as well as entrepreneur. She has juggled this amazing career along with two young children and a husband who is a liver transplant surgeon.
• Eneida Roldan, MD, MPH. As president and chief executive officer of the Public Health Trust and Jackson Health System, a huge public health and academic medical center, Dr. Roldan came face-to-face with a dilemma familiar to many administrators – what to do when personal ethics conflict with the policies of those who have ultimate control. Currently, she is course director and associate professor of clinical medicine, professional strand at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. She is the wife of a surgeon and mother of three.

Q: Did you see particular common themes through the stories, and if so, what were they?

A: The three primary reasons cited most often for why women fail to attain the most senior roles in healthcare were:

• lack of confidence
• lack of mentors and role models
• time constraints/family obligations

This last point is a system-wide issue that hasn’t been discussed enough. Gendered cultural biases surrounding parenthood limit the aspirations of men as well as women. There needs to be support for the reversals of traditional domestic roles such as encouraging paid parental leave for fathers and mothers as well as the elimination of double standards that penalize women for traits and behaviors rewarded in men such as assertiveness and risk-taking. So, while I agree that women need to “lean in”, we also need to push-back by creating a new way of thinking about work and leadership.

The stories in the book offer practical lessons about leadership including:

• the value of networking
• importance of knowing yourself and staying true to your values
• value of coaching
• need to be flexible and open to opportunity
• value of an advanced degree
• need to be a lifelong learner
• need to be a good listener

Q: Is there something about your book that I haven't asked you that you would like to add that you think is important for readers to know? 

A: As an offshoot of the book project, I started a blog titled Creative Leaders Forum, inviting anyone interested in exploring leadership issues to either volunteer to guest blog or comment on the posts, hopefully initiating some interesting discussion across many disciplines including medicine.