AAPL Annual Leadership Conference Day One: Lessons Learned

“And all the things that break you

Are all the things that make you strong

You can't change the past ('cause it's gone)

And you just gotta move on

Because it's all Lessons learned”

Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood, lyrics by Diane Warren

Welcome to Music City!

More than 500 physician leaders from countries around the world have descended on Nashville, Tennessee – Music City – to get into the rhythm of expanding and enhancing the skills needed for effective leadership. They are ready for the start of the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) Annual Leadership Conference.

All physicians are leaders – viewed by patients and society as authoritative figures – the AAPL Leadership Conference teaches and reinforces the non-clinical leadership skills that medical schools do not provide.

As the official first day got underway, there were many lessons to be learned.

The first keynote presentation of the conference, Fresh Perspectives on The Joint Commission’s Leadership Role In Healthcare, was delivered by Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO of The Joint Commission Enterprise which includes The Joint Commission, Joint Commission Resources (JCR), Joint Commission International (JCI), and the National Quality Forum (NQF).

Throughout the day, topics covered at the Vanguard Meeting, which is exclusively for those with the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) certification, addressed pressing issues for physician leaders including data and cybersecurity; private equity; next generation for safety; quality and efficiency; and the ROI of physician leadership.

At the same time, there was a solid agenda of breakout session offerings:

• Leading With Love: A Case for Embracing Health System Transformation

• Physician Driven Cultures: A Competitive Advantage

• Organizational Support and Commitment Following Physician Leadership Development

• Leveraging AI in Healthcare: Empowering Physician Leaders for Success

• The ROI on Physician Leadership: Advancing Mission Through Stewardship

• Role of Physician Leader in AI-Powered Clinical Decision System

• Payors and Healthcare Systems: Tales from Both Sides

• Lunch 'n Learn: Leading in the Value-Based Care Model, sponsored by ChenMed

• Facing Multiple Challenges With One Solution: Culture Change

• Myths About MCOs: A Medical Director’s Perspective

• Leveraging Physician Leaders in Dyads (MD/DO & NP) to Execute Operational Imperatives

• Reimagining the Workplace: Creating a Culture Document

• Leveraging Machine Learning To Predict Clinician Turnover and Budgeting for Clinician Well-Being

• Maximizing Success in Value-Based Payment Models: Aligning Measures With Better Outcomes

• Effective Teams and Digitization: Two Critical Aspects for the Success of an Organization

• Physician Advisors: Calculating ROI for Clinical Documentation and Utilization Review

• The ROI for Improving Patient Flow

• Exploring Diversity and Its Impact on the Work Force

• Empowering Minds: Unlock Potential in You and the Teams You Lead

• Driving Optimal Payor Reimbursement With Physician Leadership and Relationship-Building

• Launching a Virtual Service Line

Following the course load of the day, AAPL hosted its convocation ceremony, in which many honors and certifications were awarded and recognized.

Twenty-two new Certified Physician Executives (CPEs), from Capstone ceremonies throughout 2023 were recognized. More than 4,000 physicians have earned the CPE credential since the American Association for Physician Leadership introduced it in 1997. The rigorous, competency-based CPE curriculum and Capstone event provides physicians with a well-rounded set of knowledge, skills, and core competencies needed to effectively lead healthcare organizations.

In addition, there were 11 physicians named as AAPL Fellows:

• Elaine Cox, MD, CPE, FAAPL

• Denise Howard, MD, MPH, FACOG, CPE, FAAPL

• Praveen Jayakumar, MD, MS, FACP, CPE, FAAPL

• Saju D. Joy, MD, MBA, CPE, FAANS, FACS, FAAPL

• Matthew Mazurek, MD, MHA, MBA, CPE, FACHE, FASA, FAAPL

• James Mucciarone, MD, MPH, CPE, FAAPL

• Ayodele Ogunremi, MD, MMM, CPE, FACP, FASN, FAAPL

• Peter Pisters, MD, MHCM, CPE, FACS, FACHE, FAAPL

• Clayton Ramsue, MD, CPE, CHCQM, CCHP-P, FAAFP, FAAPL

• R. Ryan Sadeghian, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAPL

• Lee Scheinbart, MD, CPE, FAAPL

Distinguished Fellows were also named:

• Mark Lester, MD, MBA, CPE, DFAAPL

• Amyn Rojiani, MD, PhD, CPE, FACP, DFAAPL

• J. Gregory Jolissaint, MD, MS, CPE, DFAAPL

There was also time to explore the bookstore with the many titles that AAPL had on display:

Working Happy! How to Survive Burnout and Find Your Work/Life Synergy in the Healthcare Industry, by Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA

Inspiring Growth and Leadership in Medical Careers: Transform Healthcare as a Physician Leader, by Peter Angood, MD, FRCS (C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)

50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for Physicians: Unique Ways to Use Your Medical Degree Without Leaving Patient Care by Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH

Medicine is a Practice: The Rules for Healthcare Marketing by Neil Baum, MD

Fast Forward Thinking: 40 Rules for Entrepreneurs and Investors in Medical, Science, and Biotech by Luis Pareras, MD, PhD

The Catholic Church and Its Hospitals: A Marriage Made in Heaven? by Patricia A. Gabow, MD, MACP

After the ceremony it was time to unwind at the welcome reception and reflect on the lessons of the day.