WittKieffer Impactful Leaders Podcast

An "Accidental Administrator" Builds Momentum for Change: Kumble Subbaswamy

As a youth in India, Kumble Subbaswamy was inspired by space exploration to pursue a degree in physics, which ultimately led to him to postdoctoral work in the U.S. He got a taste of leadership by being an active member of the academic community, which led from one opportunity to the next. "When you do a good job, you're rewarded by being asked to do more," he says. Ultimately, this path led him to a decade-long tenure as Chancellor of UMass Amherst, then to his current position as Interim Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Equity at the University of Massachusetts system.
In this Impactful Leaders podcast, WittKieffer Senior Partner Lucy Leske speaks with "Swamy" about his career journey and lessons he's picked up along the way, beginning with his chosen field. "Physics teaches you to look for the true essence of the problem and solve it first, and to not get lost in the complexity," he says.
Swamy has also learned that, to overcome inertia, the leader must exert force, make the case for change, and get all constituents (students, faculty, staff, trustees, alums, and more) on board. This is more important than ever, he says, as the public's trust in higher education has waned. "Leaders today have an uphill task to reverse this trend," he says.

Academic Medicine Dean Insights: Robert Golden, M.D.

Being a medical school dean is much more challenging than 20 years ago, believes Robert Golden, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Things are tougher for academic physicians, researchers, and instructors, meaning deans "need to work harder, smarter, and longer." 
Despite the challenges, Dr. Golden takes them in stride and still finds tremendous reward in his profession. He leans on tried-and-true leadership principals ("Communicate, communicate, communicate") while maintaining a healthy perspective on his work, balancing the "crisis of the day" with long-range thinking and planning. He also exudes an infectious passion and sense of humor.
In this Impactful Leaders episode – the second of our Academic Medicine Dean Series – WittKieffer Principal Valerie Weber, M.D. (herself a former medical school dean) engages with Dr. Golden in a lively discussion of the tribulations of deanships as well as, more importantly, secrets of success.  

Accelerating Physician Leader Impact: Niraj Sehgal, M.D.

In his dual roles as Chief Medical Officer of Stanford Health and Senior Associate Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, Niraj Sehgal, M.D. is afforded a unique perspective on the challenges facing healthcare today across the clinical and academic realms. Dr. Sehgal sees himself as an integrator and "bridging leader" who finds fulfillment in this dual clinical-academic capacity.
Dr. Sehgal's path to physician leadership was hardly predetermined and was fraught with "imposter thoughts" that could have derailed him. He persisted through a focus not just on himself but on others. This includes "the patient in front of me as well as the building behind me." Since his post-doctoral days at Stanford and M.P.H. studies at UC Berkeley, Dr. Sehgal has prioritized making the "building" of healthcare (i.e., the organization or system) stronger and better. This includes developing and supporting programs for physicians (including academic physicians, clinical investigators, and medical directors) to grow as professionals and leaders. 
In this conversation with WittKieffer's Michael Anderson, M.D. – part of the Accelerating Physician Leader Impact Series of podcasts – Dr. Sehgal reflects upon his own journey and lessons that other physician leaders may take away from it.   

Taking a Big Swing at Enrollment Success: Candace Boeninger

Like many institutions in higher education, Ohio University saw enrollment plummetduring the Covid pandemic. Rather than take small, incremental steps to turn thingsaround, Ohio U – led by Candace Boeninger, VP for Enrollment Management –"stepped up to the plate" and took a "big swing" at reversing the course of enrollmentdeclines and, in fact, producing record enrollment numbers in the past few years. Itwas this baseball metaphor that resonated with Boeninger, the mother of four boyswho play the sport. It prompted her to think big: the school overhauled its student visit structure and space; reimagined its financial aid approach; revamped its studentoutreach strategy; and took other bold steps to re-energize enrollment efforts.
In this discussion with WittKieffer Senior Partner Amy Crutchfield, Boeninger reflectsupon the challenges she and colleagues at Ohio U have faced, and how their boldvision of the future has benefited the institution. They also discuss current challengesin enrollment management (including FAFSA uncertainty) and how enrollment leaderscan shape their strategies for the future – with the support of peers and their presidents. 

Academic Medicine Dean Insights: Terence Flotte, M.D.

In this Impactful Leaders episode – the first in our special Academic Medicine Dean Insights series– WittKieffer Executive Partner Kim Smith speaks with Dr. Flotte about his early inspirations to become a physician leader, and how he supports other physicians to develop the skills and mindset to lead others. Even the most high-functioning physicians, he explains, need to develop the team orientation and fearlessness to excel as leaders.
"Great leadership requires achieving a sense of satisfaction in yourself by the success of others," believes Terence Flotte, M.D., Executive Deputy Chancellor and Provost of UMass Chan Medical School and the Dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. Over a long career as an academic physician and physician leader, Dr. Flotte has strived to bring others into change and growth initiatives, which is essential for success. "When you're contemplating a change," he adds, a good idea "will remain your idea unless you bring other people into the process of helping to create the change."

Accelerating Physician Leader Impact Michael Parmacek, M.D.

Like many physician leaders, Michael Parmacek, M.D., had to be nudged in the direction of leadership by others who saw his potential in that realm. Now, as Chair of Medicine at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine, Dr. Parmacek has made it a point to support other clinicians in their leadership journeys. He worked with the Penn Medicine Academy to develop the Enhancing Leadership Training program to help experienced and up-and-coming physician executives gain the competencies they need to excel in their roles. Job number one for physician leaders today, he says, is to solve the burnout issue that is prevalent among practicing physicians and caregivers. "People trump strategy," he believes, suggesting that the health and well-being of clinicians must supersede other initiatives to move academic medicine forward.

Accelerating Physician Leader Impact: Joan Zoltanski, M.D.

Clinically trained in pediatrics, Joan Zoltanski, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, finds it easy to stay fully engaged in her work – with physicians and caregivers as well as patients, their families, and the broader community. Being fully engaged, for pediatricians, is "the norm," she says. "It's our sweet spot." In the world of "adult" care at UCSF, Dr. Zoltanski has turned this penchant for engagement into success as a leader.
In this Impactful Leaders episode, part of our Accelerating Physician Leader Impact series, Dr. Zoltanski speaks with WittKieffer Principal and fellow pediatrician Mike Anderson, M.D. about how to support the well-being of clinicians, and to best support those physicians who wish to pursue leadership. 

Finding the Highest Highs as a College President: Marjorie Hass, Ph.D. (Part 2)

No college president will survive without a deep appreciation for the joys of the job despite almost nonstop stressors and challenges. But joy and reward do indeed exist. In this podcast – the second of two installments as part of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast dedicated to higher education – Council of Independent Colleges'.
President Marjorie Hass speaks with WittKieffer's Melody Rose about how college presidents can not only thrive in their roles but find incredible joy in them. Hass believes there comes a time when a president must say, "I am going to be in love with this institution not in spite of its flaws but because of its flaws." When the president fully steps into their role and embraces the inevitable doubts that arise in the middle of the night, they will know they can survive – and even thrive – as they find true fulfillment.  

Taming the "Stress Monster" of the College Presidency: Marjorie Hass, Ph.D. (Part 1)

College presidents are expected to be at their best virtually 24/7. The pressures of the job can mount to the point of frustration and are made worse by a profound sense of loneliness in not having a peer on campus to confide in. In this podcast – the first episode of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast dedicated to higher education – Council of Independent Colleges' President Marjorie Hass speaks with WittKieffer's Melody Rose about the unique challenges presidents face, and how to manage the "stress monster" of the role. Both former college presidents, Marjorie and Melody reflect upon the hidden pressures of the role, how to define them and then confront the difficulties so that presidents – and their families – function and find ways to lead effectively.  
Note: While the pressure of the presidency exists, there are joyful moments of the job. Part II of this podcast will share highlights of this. 

Accelerating Physician Leader Impact: Jeff Sperring, M.D.

As much as leaders hope to be "in charge", what they quickly learn is that they must deal with many things beyond their control, says Jeff Sperring, M.D., CEO of Seattle Children's. This can be a particular challenge for physicians as they advance into leadership roles of increasing authority. Speaking from his own experience, Sperring says that physician leaders are often thrown into opportunities whether they are ready or not, and must adapt and learn from each experience. "The only guarantee is no guarantee. The only constant is change," Sperring says.
In this episode of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast – the first in a series of episodes dedicated to physician leadership – Sperring is interviewed by WittKieffer's Michael Anderson, M.D. about his formative years as a Navy physician, and how he was presented with leadership opportunities throughout his career despite his lack of experience. By embracing each opportunity, he found a rewarding career far different from what he imagined in his early days as a practicing pediatrician. "Wherever you are, make the best of it," he says.