For someone at the top of his organization, William Wertheim, MD – EVP for Health Sciences at Stony Brook University – resists hierarchy and strives to consider others' views in decision-making. His leadership prioritizes humility, collaboration, and empathy. “I have never made a mistake by listening first,” he says.  

In this conversation with Aaron Mitra, MHA, FACHE, Principal and Leader of WittKieffer's Physician Leadership Practice, Dr. Wertheim reflects on his journey from a childhood fascination with medicine to leading a major academic health system. He shares how early clinical experiences—like working as a hospital unit clerk and caring for a man with Parkinson’s—solidified his passion for medicine. His transition into leadership was shaped by a desire to serve patients on a larger scale and improve the organizations that serve them. 

Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the next generation of physicians and the evolving healthcare landscape. A key will be ensuring healthcare never becomes too hierarchical, nor bureaucratic. He quotes Dr. Francis Peabody: "The secret to caring for the patient is to care for the patient." Similarly, leaders of academic health systems must ensure they never stop caring for those around them – clinicians, staff, medical students, and patients alike.