Lead Change

In this special live episode of the Lead Change Podcast recorded at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Seattle, Dr. Mary Mulcahey welcomes Dr. Stephanie Pearce and Dr. Andy Sheean to discuss their experiences in the AOSSM Boosting Orthopaedic Leaders’ Development (BOLD) program and the lessons that have shaped their growth as surgeons and leaders.Drawing on their diverse professional backgrounds, Drs. Pearce and Sheean explore why clinical excellence alone is not enough to become an effective leader. They discuss the importance of intentionally developing skills such as executive presence, self-awareness, communication, and the ability to lead high-performing teams—skills that are essential to success but often receive limited attention during medical training.Both guests reflect on the value of the BOLD program, from its structured leadership curriculum and collaborative projects to the lasting relationships developed among participants. Dr. Sheean emphasizes how executive presence influences the way leaders are perceived, particularly during challenging situations, while Dr. Pearce highlights the importance of psychological safety, teamwork, and creating environments where individuals feel empowered to contribute and innovate.The conversation also explores the power of professional networks, the importance of leading through service, and the responsibility leaders have to support the growth and success of those around them. Dr. Sheean shares lessons from Stoic philosophy and Admiral James Stockdale, while Dr. Pearce reflects on the powerful message that "we rise by lifting others."Throughout the episode, a central message emerges: leadership is not defined by a title or position, but by how we show up, support our teams, and inspire positive change. Effective leadership requires continuous learning, intentional development, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Mary K. Mulcahey welcomes Dr. Erica Taylor, orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgeon, healthcare executive, educator, and entrepreneur, for an engaging conversation about purpose-driven leadership, organizational transformation, and creating meaningful, sustainable change.Dr. Taylor shares her journey from practicing orthopaedic surgeon to Vice President of Health Equity for Duke Health Integrated Practice and Vice Chair for Culture, Engagement, and Impact in the Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She discusses how her leadership roles have allowed her to influence healthcare beyond individual patient encounters, focusing on improving access, quality, organizational culture, and opportunities for professional growth.A central theme of the conversation is the distinction between generating enthusiasm for change and building the infrastructure necessary to sustain it. Dr. Taylor introduces the powerful concept that "buy-in is not the same as built-in," emphasizing that effective leaders must move beyond good intentions to develop systems, resources, and actionable strategies that translate vision into measurable progress. She illustrates this approach through her work at Duke and the development of the Orthopaedic Diversity Leadership Consortium, an organization that has grown from eight colleagues to more than 500 members.Dr. Taylor also reflects on the importance of personal growth, sharing how pursuing her MBA helped her rediscover her strengths, expand her perspective, and align her career more closely with her purpose. She challenges traditional thinking about burnout, suggesting that fulfillment depends not simply on how we spend our time, but on whether our work aligns with our values and energizes us.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Taylor reinforces that leadership is not about titles, authority, or individual recognition. Rather, it is about using influence to elevate others, creating opportunities for people at every level of an organization, and building environments where individuals and teams can thrive.The episode concludes with a powerful reflection on the foundational role of trust in leadership. Dr. Taylor reminds listeners that meaningful change requires strong relationships and credibility, and that leaders must invest in building trust before expecting others to embrace difficult truths.Ultimately, this episode challenges listeners to think beyond simply managing change and instead lead change by creating the conditions that allow others to succeed and organizations to flourish.

In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary K. Mulcahey welcomes Dr. Doug Lundy, an accomplished orthopaedic trauma surgeon and healthcare leader whose career has spanned private practice, academic medicine, and leadership roles in several major orthopaedic organizations. Drawing on his experiences as President of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Dr. Lundy shares lessons about humility, accountability, strategic vision, and the importance of empowering others to succeed. A central theme of the conversation is the importance of defining success beyond professional accomplishments and titles. Dr. Lundy challenges physicians and leaders to reflect intentionally on the impact they want to make throughout their careers, emphasizing four pillars of contribution: research, education, leadership, and charity. He shares how a personal health challenge prompted him to reevaluate his priorities and ultimately transition from a successful private practice leadership role to academic medicine, where he found renewed purpose in teaching and mentoring the next generation of surgeons.Throughout the discussion, Dr. Lundy highlights the value of surrounding yourself with people who bring different perspectives and strengths, putting organizational goals ahead of personal agendas, and recognizing that the most effective leaders create opportunities for others. He also explores the importance of taking risks, accepting failure as part of growth, and pursuing meaningful opportunities before they become missed chances. This episode offers a reminder that leadership is not simply about what we achieve, but about the people we empower, the impact we create, and the legacy we leave behind.

In this live episode of the Lead Change Podcast from AOSSM in Seattle, Dr. Mary Mulcahey is joined by sports medicine surgeons Drs. Mia Hagen, Justin Arner, and Drew Lansdown to reflect on their experience participating in the AOSSM–ESSKA Traveling Fellowship. The group discusses their varied clinical practices, their involvement with AOSSM, and what motivated them to pursue an immersive international experience in sports medicine.The fellows describe traveling throughout Europe and learning directly from leaders in sports medicine through a combination of operative experiences, scientific exchange, research discussions, and cultural immersion. Their journey included stops in Amsterdam, Oslo, Brandenburg, Milan, Barcelona, and Lyon, with opportunities to observe different surgical approaches, healthcare systems, clinical practices, and research infrastructures. Just as important as the formal education were the relationships, hospitality, and conversations that developed along the way.The conversation also explores the leadership lessons that emerged from seeing how accomplished surgeons intentionally build teams, structure clinical practices, create efficient operating environments, and develop successful research programs. Rather than simply learning what these leaders had accomplished, the fellows gained insight into how they built the systems and cultures that allowed those accomplishments to happen.Ultimately, the episode highlights the transformative potential of leaving familiar surroundings, learning from different perspectives, investing in professional societies, and building relationships that extend beyond institutions and national borders. The closing discussion reinforces several broader leadership themes: the importance of visibility and representation, learning how to motivate and develop teams, and the idea that “preparation creates confidence”—whether in surgery, research, leadership, or any other professional opportunity.

In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary Mulcahey speaks with Dr. Chris Gonzalez, an accomplished urologic surgeon and physician executive whose leadership journey has included serving as department chair at two institutions, Chief of Surgery, president of a national specialty society, and Chief Clinical Officer at Loyola University Health System. Drawing on experiences spanning clinical medicine, academic leadership, professional societies, international collaboration, and even community service, Dr. Gonzalez shares a straightforward philosophy that has guided him throughout his career: try to leave every organization a little better than you found it. Dr. Gonzalez discusses why taking care of people should be one of a leader’s highest priorities. As a department chair, he viewed supporting faculty members, helping them progress in their careers, and creating an environment in which they could thrive as fundamental to the success of the department as a whole. The conversation also explores the importance of lifelong learning and international collaboration. Dr. Gonzalez describes the remarkable growth of genitourinary reconstructive surgery and his efforts to expand international participation and establish consistent standards for fellowship training around the world. His international experiences have also reinforced an important lesson: collaboration is not simply about teaching others—it is equally about recognizing how much we can learn from talented colleagues with different experiences and perspectives. Dr. Gonzalez also reflects on his transition from a highly active surgical practice to the role of Chief Clinical Officer. Although the transition required him to spend significantly less time operating, he emphasizes the importance of physician leaders remaining connected to clinical medicine. Continuing to care for patients helps leaders understand the challenges clinicians face, maintain credibility, and make decisions grounded in the realities of patient care. Finally, Dr. Gonzalez identifies two essential leadership skills: listening and empathy. Effective leaders must do more than hear what people say—they must seek to understand their concerns, appreciate their perspectives, and put themselves in others’ shoes. These skills create the foundation for trust, connection, and effective problem-solving. Key Take-Home PointsLeave things better than you found them. Leadership is an opportunity to strengthen an organization for the people who will come after you—not simply to advance yourself.Take care of your people. Supporting faculty and team members in their growth, advancement, and professional fulfillment strengthens the entire organization.Listen before you lead. Dr. Gonzalez describes listening as perhaps the most important leadership skill because understanding a problem begins with genuinely hearing the people experiencing it.Lead with empathy. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes allows you to better understand challenges, build trust, and solve problems collaboratively.Stay connected to the work. Physician leaders benefit from continuing to practice medicine because firsthand clinical experience keeps them connected to patients and colleagues and helps preserve credibility.Leadership is service, not self-promotion. Whether leading a hospital, professional society, department, or community organization, the focus should remain on the people and mission being served. Learn across boundaries. International collaboration provides opportunities not only to teach but also to learn from different perspectives, approaches, and experiences.