Exchanging a White Coat for a Suit: Brian Erling, MD, MBA

In this Impactful Leaders Podcast conversation with WittKieffer Senior Partners Nelson Mann and Michelle Johnson, Dr. Erling looks back upon his leadership journey – back to his time as a nursing assistant in high school to his current role helping to turn Renown's fortunes around. Continuous learning has been a common thread for him, including pursuing an MBA degree. "There's almost a stigma that . . . clinical leaders are not business people, that we can't make the tough decisions," he says. The MBA "was tangible for me. It wasn't just letters after my name." 

As is true for many physician executives, Dr. Brian Erling's transition from "white coat to suit" was not easy but has been extremely rewarding. While no longer practicing, he leverages his clinical expertise every day as President and CEO of Nevada-based Renown Health. "You don't walk away completely from medicine when you become an administrator," he says. "You can wear both hats and you can do it effectively."