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High Impact Physician

High Impact Physician
Author: Sandy Scott, FACHE
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© 2025 High Impact Physician
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We believe great physicians make great leaders -- so we're informing and inspiring them through candid conversations with world-class clinical thought-leaders. Join our High Impact Physician Community: www.SandyScottLLC.com
103 Episodes
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Most physicians avoid hard conversations to stay kind—until they realize kindness without courage can cause more harm than good. Dr. Cara Beatty shares two pivotal moments that changed her: Watching a mentor avoid a terminal diagnosis discussion and hearing Dr. Berwick speak about radical equity in care. She reveals how her view of leadership evolved—from giving orders to building trust, asking better questions, and empowering others. Coaching became central—not as a fix, but ...
Many physicians believe performance means constant motion—until they realize that slowing down might be the most powerful leadership move of all. Dr. Amit Vashist reflects on how his early years as a patient with a seizure disorder shaped his humanistic approach to healthcare. Navigating a cross-cultural medical journey, he discovered that humility could be misunderstood—and that leadership meant learning to speak up and be seen. Initially resistant to coaching, Amit shares how he c...
Most physicians are trained to stay in control, to know the answers, and to solve problems quickly. But what happens when the real power lies in letting go, asking better questions—and even playing a little? Dr. David Wild shares his early roots in a rural community and how family business and medicine shaped his leadership foundation. A passion for anesthesia and systems-level change led to roles in performance improvement and health system leadership. Coaching became pivotal...
Most physicians rise through their careers believing that self-reliance is the key to success — until the moment it no longer works. In this candid conversation, Dr. McNamara recounts: The rejection that forced her to confront her fear of asking for help.How mentorship transformed her belief about what makes a strong leader.The emotional cost of compartmentalization — and the freedom she found in integration.Why building genuine relationships, not perfection, is what inspires lasting le...
Dr. Jeffrey Albert had all the traditional markers of success—multiple leadership roles, decades of experience, and a deep commitment to healthcare. But beneath the surface, he felt stuck, disillusioned, and quietly burned out. In this episode: Dr. Albert reflects on how leadership began to feel hollow, even as he rose in influence and responsibility.He describes the creeping realization that knowing more wasn’t solving the deeper sense of powerlessness.A pivotal moment came when he recognize...
Most physicians assume that success in medicine means working harder—but what if that’s the very mindset keeping them stuck? Dr. Nneka Unachukwu (Dr. Una) shares her incredible journey from a shy, introverted physician to a thriving entrepreneur and business leader. She opens up about the deep shame and imposter syndrome she faced when launching her business school, the fear of marketing as a new private practice owner, and the key mindset shifts that helped her break through. In this episod...
For years, Dr. Ben Reinking believed that working harder was the key to success—until it nearly broke him. In a career defined by relentless productivity, he found himself questioning whether he was truly fulfilled or just surviving. In this episode we discuss: Early Leadership Struggles: How growing up as the oldest of seven children shaped his natural leadership, but his quiet nature often made him feel overlooked in traditional leadership settings.The Hidden Cost of Burnout: A sudden staff...
What if your biggest setback turned into your greatest opportunity? Dr. Cameron Roth never expected to be rejected from medical school. He had a clear plan—until life forced him to find another way. That detour led him to rural Central America, where he immersed himself in teaching and public health, an experience that reshaped his perspective on service, adaptability, and leadership. In this conversation, Cameron shares: How missing out on medical school the first time taught him resilienceT...
In this honest conversation, Sandy talks with Dr. Jon King, a seasoned surgeon who’s spent over three decades navigating the highs and lows of private practice. Dr. King opens up about the internal battles he faced with burnout, self-criticism, and the pressures of modern healthcare—and how he’s rewriting the script on leadership, purpose, and joy in medicine. Together, they dive into: Why Dr. King says most surgeons lose touch with their “why”—and how reconnecting with it transformed how he ...
In this raw and reflective conversation, Sandy’s connecting with Dr. Jacob Anderson, a family physician and program director, who opens up about the highs and lows of stepping into a leadership role in medicine. Together, they explore: The realization of becoming “the powers that be,” and what it’s like to confront the very structures he once resisted.How curiosity—and even discomfort—can transform moments of defensiveness into powerful growth moments.The push and pull of healthcare’s “us vs....
In this deeply moving and candid conversation, Sandy Scott sits down with Dr. Stephen Beeson, founder of Practicing Excellence, to explore the intersection of professional leadership and personal vulnerability. Together, they dive into: Dr. Beeson’s shift from a family physician to a leader focused human development.And the profound grief Dr. Beeson is navigating after the recent loss of his brother, and how this tragedy has reshaped his perspective on what truly matters in life.This e...
Let’s dig into: The role of bullies and dark places in our livesGrowing from the judgment and rejection from peersThe pragmatism of pausing to navigate our circumstances from the inside-outUnlocking the power of a “both—and” approach to life (vs “either—or”)How to say “no” in a way that leads to more “yeses”Why having a safe place to roleplay feedback is a winning strategyAnd moreDr. Jonathan Fisher is training minds and healing hearts as a Mindful Cardiologist, Organizational Well-Being Lead...
Let’s dive into: How mowing the lawn led to military and medical serviceThe need for new mental models and ways of thinkingShifting from “I’ll do it” to “I’ll develop my people”Why connecting with others is a pragmatic strategy for being more productiveInsights after a tough exit interview that Tom learned a ton fromHis mission to develop stronger medical leaders through coaching programs and workshopsAnd moreCheck out The Referent Group here: https://www.thereferentgroup.com/ Dr. Tom Hustea...
Let’s dive into: Navigating gossip and a lack of psychological safety What to do when keeping the peace has become a full time jobLeading teams with intention and open lines of communication Taking a formal leadership role a couple months before COVIDThe reason to keep track of failures The power of replying to your emails in-personAnd moreDr. Becca Brakely, is an Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Women’s and Children’s Health at Central Maine Healthcare.
This is a deeply meaningful episode that I think you’ll feel and take something away from: Meta-leadership vs traditional leadershipOrganizational intelligence vs emotional intelligenceBeing a part of the first HIV-positive delivery Responding to the murder of a faculty member at the height of COVIDManaging the overnight firing of 3 key physiciansAnd moreDr. Leah Harris, among many things, Chairs the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
Let’s dig into: The payoff of overidentifying with workThe link between perfectionism and self-esteemThe unexpected result of being vulnerable The power of therapyThe science of meditating 3 minutes a dayAnd a whole lot moreDr. John Guenther is an accomplished leader and pediatric specialist with over 37 years of experience.
This is a special episode because Dr. John Guenther was my son’s physician when he was born, and he diagnosed him with severe brain damage and seizure disorders. He impacted my family and I in a deep way. This feels vulnerable to publish — and I hope some part of it’s helpful to you. On this episode, we dig into: How human experience shapes us in deeper ways then we realizeMeeting Dr. Guenther between my son’s seizuresHarvesting insights from our past that help us (vs holding us back)Overcom...
Let’s dive into: Pivoting career aspirations after thinking your path is set Losing a father unexpectedly at a critical time in lifeHow to align stakeholders to solve problems fasterTurning grief into learnings that shape us in profound waysHow to break down problems to maximize your impact Shaping the future of healthcare with AI And more…Dr. Alan Young is a seasoned physician and healthcare innovation entrepreneur, blending extensive clinical expertise with strategic business...
Let’s dive into: Why things can feel “off”, even when everything look amazing from the outsideHow to actually get out of a rut, without putting a bandaidHow an unexpected death in his family sparked his formal leadership journeyManaging young faculty, remotely, from the horn of Africa (before COVID)A simple way to guarantee you have time in your day to spend on strategy Transitioning between leadership, coaching and mentorshipHow to let go of things after delegating themThe power of clic...
Let’s dive into: A successful collaboration between a medical group practice and a hospital that reduced readmissionsFeeling unsettled with deciding what to focus onManaging concerns from a group of physicians in an efficient wayHow to have difficult and productive conversations with senior leaders Exactly how he uses a part-time virtual assistant to get more done in less time Evolving and adapting without sacrificing outcomes and valuesDr. Timo Dygert specializes in invasive cardi...