Coaching Healthcare Leaders

What if the biggest problem in healthcare isn't a lack of innovation, but a failure to connect patients with the care and resources they already need? In this episode of Coaching Healthcare Leaders, Dr. Lisa Herbert welcomes Dr. Joy Bhosai, Founder and CEO of Pluto Health, for a thought-provoking conversation about healthcare innovation, physician entrepreneurship, and the future of patient-centered care. From her early experiences in global health to her work as a hospitalist at Duke University, Dr. Bhosai recognized a recurring challenge: fragmented medical information, limited access to preventive care, and disconnected healthcare services were creating unnecessary barriers for patients. Determined to address these gaps, she founded Pluto Health, a healthcare technology company designed to consolidate patient information, identify care needs, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. Together, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Bhosai explore the importance of physician involvement in healthcare technology, the risks of implementing AI without adequate clinical oversight, and the opportunity to make healthcare more accessible and equitable. Dr. Bhosai also shares practical advice for physicians considering entrepreneurship, along with personal lessons on resilience, self-compassion, and building a meaningful career beyond traditional clinical practice. This episode challenges healthcare leaders to ask a critical question: Are we building technology because we can, or because it truly improves patient care? Listen for an inspiring conversation about transforming healthcare through innovation, clinical insight, and purposeful leadership. Learn more about Pluto Health at https://www.pluto.health. Coaching Healthcare Leaders is hosted by Dr. Lisa Herbert, MD, FAAFP, PCC, physician and executive leadership coach. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and share it with a colleague who believes healthcare can and should work better.

This episode explores how healthcare leaders can shift their influence strategies from formal structures to meaningful relationships, highlighting the power of coaching to transform leadership approaches. In this Coaching Room episode, Dr. Lisa Herbert shares a compelling story of a physician leader who redefined their impact within their organization The importance of understanding the real goals behind leadership initiatives How coaching helps leaders shift from reactive to intentional actions The role of influence and relationships over formal structures Strategies for effective communication with administrators The impact of everyday interactions on organizational culture The importance of mentorship and peer support in healthcare How to identify stakeholders and build strategic relationships The significance of cultural influence in healthcare organizations Takeaways Leadership influence is about relationships, not just formal authority. Coaching helps leaders clarify their true goals and explore multiple paths. Effective communication and stakeholder understanding are key to influence. Small daily interactions significantly shape organizational culture. Supporting onboarding and mentorship can improve physician retention. Leadership impact is about how you show up every day, not just in meetings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the leadership challenge in healthcare 02:26 The physician leader’s initial proposal for a physician concerns subcommittee 06:14 Shifting focus from solutions to outcomes through coaching 08:38 Realizing the importance of mentorship and peer support 12:24 Influence without formal authority: building relationships and communication 16:34 Lessons learned: problem clarity, influence, and culture 20:20 Connecting clinical reality, coaching, and organizational culture 23:27 Three leadership questions for impact 25:50 The true impact of leadership: influence through trust and relationships

What happens when one physician challenges a medical practice that has shaped patient care for decades? For Dr. Amaka Eneanya, the answer became a remarkable journey of advocacy, healthcare transformation, and an unexpected personal victory. In this powerful episode of Coaching Healthcare Leaders, Dr. Lisa Herbert sits down with Dr. Eneanya, physician executive, nephrologist, and former Chief Transformation Officer at Emory Healthcare, to explore how her work helped challenge a race-based kidney function equation that contributed to disparities in kidney care and transplant access. The resulting changes have helped approximately 21,000 Black patients receive additional kidney transplant waiting time. But the most emotional part of this story is how those changes ultimately impacted Dr. Eneanya's own family. Together, they explore: The courage required to challenge longstanding healthcare practices. How physician advocacy can influence national policy. Why healthcare transformation is about more than technology. The importance of building coalitions to create lasting change. What every healthcare leader can do to challenge the status quo. Dr. Eneanya shares a powerful challenge to healthcare professionals: "If not you, then who?" Whether you're a physician leader, healthcare executive, or someone passionate about improving healthcare, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what's possible when clinical expertise meets courageous leadership. Listen now and discover why meaningful healthcare transformation starts with people willing to act. Hosted by Dr. Lisa Herbert | Coaching Healthcare Leaders Clinical + Coaching + Culture™ You can watch the full video on YouTube Follow Dr. Amaka Eneanya on her website Since this episode aired, Dr. Eneanya has launched BOLD Direct Nephrology Care, which offers personalized kidney care, expert second opinions, and proactive disease prevention through a direct-access model designed to help you preserve your kidney health.

Why step away from something you love, only to come back? For Dr. Lisa Herbert, the answer came down to one realization: the work had changed, the conversations had changed, and she had changed too. After taking a hiatus from Coaching Healthcare Leaders, Dr. Lisa returns with a clearer perspective on the conversations healthcare leaders need to be having. During her time away, she coached physicians and healthcare executives, worked with organizations, and listened closely to what leaders were saying and what they weren't saying. She began noticing a pattern: The resignation is rarely where the problem begins. It often begins much earlier with a concern that wasn't heard, conflict that wasn't addressed, a physician who stopped speaking up, or a leader quietly becoming disengaged. In this comeback episode, Dr. Lisa shares why she stepped away, what she learned during the pause, and how her Clinical + Coaching + Culture™ framework is shaping the next chapter of the podcast. She also shares what listeners can expect going forward: candid conversations about healthcare leadership and culture, stories from leaders changing healthcare, practical strategies, and real coaching conversations that explore the challenges leaders often navigate behind closed doors. Coaching Healthcare Leaders is back. And this time, we're bringing the conversations happening behind closed doors into the open. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to healthcare leadership challenges 02:01 The evolution of healthcare leadership and personal journey 04:46 The importance of listening and addressing issues early 06:06 The three lenses: clinical, coaching, and culture 07:30 The role of culture in healthcare leadership 08:26 Why physician retention is a leadership and culture issue 09:11 What to expect from the new chapter of the podcast 10:42 Featuring Dr. Amaka Inanya and her leadership journey 12:04 Creating conversations that matter in healthcare 13:16 The future of healthcare leadership and coaching

In this episode of Coaching Health Care Leaders, Dr. Lisa interviews Dr. Sandy Balwan, Chief Medical Officer at Northwell Direct. Dr. Balwan shares her inspiring journey from immigrant to healthcare leader, emphasizing the balance between clinical practice and leadership. They discuss strategies for supporting providers, empowering patients—especially women — as family health leaders, and simplifying communication. Dr. Balwan offers practical leadership advice on authenticity, passion, and setting boundaries, emphasizing the importance of leading by example and prioritizing patient and provider needs in healthcare transformation. Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (00:00:02) Dr. Lisa introduces the podcast, its mission, and Dr. Sandy Balwan’s background and roles. Dr. Balwan’s Leadership Journey (00:03:01) Dr. Balwan shares her immigrant background, education, and career progression in medicine and leadership. Day in the Life of a Healthcare Leader (00:05:41) Dr. Balwain describes balancing clinical practice, supporting providers, and serving employers and patients. Balancing Clinical Practice and Leadership (00:08:50) Discussion on the importance and feasibility of maintaining both clinical and leadership roles. Leading by Example in Healthcare (00:09:20) Dr. Balwan explains why clinical experience is essential for credibility and effective leadership. Supporting and Influencing Teams (00:12:49) Strategies for supporting providers, influencing teams, and fostering collaboration in healthcare settings. Communicating Value-Based Care to Providers (00:13:12) How to explain value-based care concepts and motivate providers to adopt new practices. Challenges in Healthcare: Access and Communication (00:16:51) Discussion of major challenges in healthcare, including patient access and effective communication. Patient-Centered Communication Strategies (00:19:26) Importance of tailoring communication to patients’ needs and using relatable explanations. Women’s Role in Family Health (00:22:56) Highlighting the critical role women play in family health and strategies to support them. Tips for Thriving as a Healthcare Leader (00:25:33) Dr. Balwan shares three tips for leaders to thrive and maintain self-care amid adversity. Personal Reflections and Looking Forward (00:27:38) Dr. Balwan discusses personal growth, setting boundaries, and aspirations for the future. Closing Remarks (00:29:02) Dr. Lisa and Dr. Balwan conclude the episode with gratitude and well wishes. If you are looking to accelerate your leadership career and learn how to influence and impact teams, join us for our Coaching Intensive Weekend, taking place December 12-14, where you will learn the foundational skills to communicate more effectively with your team and coach them to success. Learn more here