The Fire Chief

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Sheri Mancini, surgeon, physician advisor, U.S. Navy veteran, and author of Healthcare as Infrastructure: A Constitutional Approach to Reform. Drawing on more than two decades inside the healthcare system, Sheri challenges leaders to consider whether healthcare has drifted away from its fundamental mission—and what it would mean to treat healthcare as essential national infrastructure rather than ordinary commerce. Lee and Sheri explore the tension between mission and margin, how financial incentives shape everyday operational decisions, and why CMOs are uniquely positioned to recognize institutional drift. Using examples from the operating room and beyond, they discuss resource allocation, physician incentives, stewardship, and the responsibility of physician executives to advocate for change. Dr. Mancini ultimately challenges CMOs to put on their “mission goggles” and examine where financial pressures may be pulling their organizations away from the communities they exist to serve.

In this forward-looking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Matthew Mazurek, physician leader, medical educator, and co-editor of Systems Thinking for Physician Leaders. Drawing on his work in leadership, professionalism, and medical education, Matt challenges the traditional approach of expecting physicians to learn leadership informally through experience and mentorship alone. Lee and Matt explore how leadership education could be intentionally incorporated into medical school and residency, from foundational concepts such as emotional intelligence and leadership styles to conflict management, difficult conversations, and understanding the healthcare system itself. The conversation examines the challenges of an already crowded medical curriculum, the need to prepare faculty to teach leadership, and the value of longitudinal, case-based, and experiential learning. Dr. Mazurek also looks ahead to simulation and AI as tools that could allow future physicians to practice leadership skills in realistic, psychologically safe environments.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Jess Bunin, retired U.S. Army colonel, physician leader, executive coach, and author of From the Inside Out: How Self-Aware Leaders Build Trust and Transform Healthcare. Drawing on her experiences in military medicine, medical education, and healthcare leadership, Jess explores why building trust with others must first begin with understanding ourselves. Lee and Jess examine the relationship between self-awareness, trust, and accountability, including how leaders can address harm without creating more harm in the process. The conversation introduces restorative justice as a different way to approach conflict—looking beyond individual behavior to understand who has been affected, what systems may have contributed, and how relationships can be repaired. Dr. Bunin also challenges CMOs to balance accountability with support, resist organizational scapegoating, and recognize that meaningful culture change begins with the leader’s willingness to look inward before leading outward.

In this insightful episode, host Dr. Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Anne Hirsch, certified physician coach and expert in physician professionalism and behavioral concerns. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and extensive experience with physician peer review, Dr. Hirsch challenges leaders to look beyond the label of the “difficult physician” and understand what may actually be driving problematic behaviors. Lee and Anne explore how stress, burnout, communication styles, and a lack of self-awareness can turn good physicians into perceived problems—and why coaching should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a punishment. The conversation examines the importance of understanding intent versus impact, recognizing patterns of behavior, and helping physicians see how their words and actions land with others. Dr. Hirsch also challenges CMOs to intervene earlier, normalize coaching, and build cultures where difficult conversations happen directly rather than through labels and complaints. Ultimately, the discussion asks leaders to consider whether the physician is truly disruptive—or whether the physician themselves has become disrupted.

In this compelling episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Colonel Michael Kloepper, Director of Leader Development and Character at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Drawing on decades of experience leading soldiers in combat and developing future military leaders, Colonel Kloepper shares timeless leadership principles that translate remarkably well to healthcare and physician leadership. Lee and Mike explore how effective leaders make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty, the role of humility in leadership growth, and why influence ultimately becomes more powerful than authority. The conversation highlights practical lessons on building trust, avoiding overconfidence bias, developing psychological safety, and shaping organizational culture through everyday actions. Colonel Kloepper also offers valuable insights into developing future leaders, reminding us that leadership is measured not only by the decisions we make today, but by the people we prepare to lead tomorrow.