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Absorbing the Unexpected and Unwanted as Leaders

Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)


Nov 14, 2025


Physician Leadership Journal


Volume 12, Issue 6, Pages 5-7


https://doi.org/10.55834/plj.3016355932


Abstract

Leadership for physicians isn’t just about control; it’s about purpose, culture-shaping, and ethical stewardship of our industry. And yet, unexpected and unwanted events occur regularly, both professionally and personally. Leaders must anticipate that these events will occur and proactively determine the best way to absorb them practically and emotionally. The uncertainty of the impact created by many of these events will be difficult to anticipate, but knowing how to navigate them internally for yourself on a personal level will ultimately benefit others around you – and the organization where you are viewed as a leader.




Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)

Peter Angood, MD, is the chief executive officer and president of the American Association for Physician Leadership. Formerly, Dr. Angood was the inaugural chief patient safety officer for The Joint Commission and senior team leader for the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Patient Safety Solutions. He was also senior adviser for patient safety to the National Quality Forum and National Priorities Partnership and the former chief medical officer with the Patient Safety Organization of GE Healthcare.

With his academic trauma surgery practice experience ranging from the McGill University hospital system in Canada to the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University and Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Angood completed his formal academic career as a full professor of surgery, anesthesia and emergency medicine. A fellow in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Angood is an author in more than 200 publications and a past president for the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

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