Balancing Acts: A Journey in Leadership & Multitasking

First, Dr. Parekh explains his role as the chief operating officer (COO) of a major hospital system. The COO is entrusted with clinical decision making. Various services and departments report to the COO, such as patient safety and quality, construction and facilities, pharmacy, and patient experience. Dr. Parekh’s experience at the health system has taught him an enormous amount of discipline and strategic planning. He balances multiple tasks each day and surrounds himself with world class, high quality people.

Then, Dr. Parekh proposes rethinking how physicians go about their training, emphasizing quality over quantity in the promotion process. He suggests recognizing those who are stellar clinicians and those who make immediate and tangible impact on outcomes in the community and patient populations. The doctors also discuss the importance of teaching the business of medicine in medical school, residency, and fellowship. Dr. Parekh then explains the importance of sustainability in academic health systems in different areas, such as in leadership. He also considers the future of the academic physician model, noting characteristics that build resilience in the long-term.

Finally, Dr. Parekh shares his perspective on how to balance innovation and leadership in medicine. He provides advice for the younger generation of physicians and healthcare professionals by emphasizing the need to be original and to focus on their own goals and successes.