January/February 2026

Physician Leadership Journal

January/February 2026

Vol. 13, No. 1 · 12 articles

  1. RN to MD Transition: The Road Less Traveled

    PLJ January/February 2026 Neil Baum, MD, Cory Hughes

    This article explores how a nursing background can serve as a non-traditional path to becoming a physician, highlighting shared traits between nurses and doctors.

  2. Measuring Leadership Growth: Metrics as a Part of Physician Leadership Development

    PLJ January/February 2026 Mark Hertling, DBA, Kim Smith-Jentsch, PhD

    The article explores using validated metrics, like the Kirkpatrick Model, to assess physician leadership programs, emphasizing tailored goals for clinical environments.

  3. A Clinical Care Pathway to Provide Value-Based Care to Patients Hospitalized with CHF, COPD, and Pneumonia

    PLJ January/February 2026 Mohamad Saad, MD, MBA, CPE, Maria Gomez, MD, Dana Kajan, DO

    Using data analytics and teamwork, a clinical care pathway improved alignment, reduced costs, and enhanced outcomes for CHF, COPD, and pneumonia patients.

  4. Rewriting the Medical Staff Playbook: What Every CMO Needs to Know About Women in the Physician Workforce

    PLJ January/February 2026 Mark D. Olszyk, MD, MBA, CPE, FACEP, FACHE

    Women are a growing force in U.S. medicine but face challenges like caregiving. Supportive workplace policies are key to retaining them and ensuring care access.

  5. Leadership Well-Being

    PLJ January/February 2026 Ronald Dwinnells, MD, MBA, CPE

    Modern lifestyles challenge health with rising obesity, chronic diseases, and stress. A holistic approach to diet, exercise, sleep, and stress aids well-being.

  6. Improving the Physician Experience to Attract, Retain, and Engage Top Physician Talent — Part 1: Strategies to Stop Defaulting to the Doctor

    PLJ January/February 2026 R. John Sawyer, II, PhD, ABPP-CN

    Physician shortages, burnout, and responsibility overload demand solutions. This article suggests streamlining metrics, communication, and tasks to optimize their role.

  7. Redefining Physician Leadership: A Comparative Review of Traditional and Emerging Competencies and Domains

    PLJ January/February 2026 Dani Zoorob, MD, MHA, MBA, MHI, EdM, FACOG, FACS, CPE, FACHE, Naakesh Dewan, MD, CPE, DLFAPA, FASAM, Anthony Slonim, MD, DrPH, CPE, FAAPL, Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)

    This review analyzes 51 studies and AAPL assessments to identify key physician leadership competencies, highlighting strengths in collaboration and gaps in financial acumen.

  8. Organizational Benefits of Capstone Projects Integrated into a Physician and APP Leadership Development Program

    PLJ January/February 2026 Warren S. Levy, MD, FACC. FAAPL(Hon), Christopher M. O’Connor, MD, MACC, FHFSA

    Leadership programs for physicians and APPs, like Inova Schar's with capstone projects, show strong impacts on leadership, care quality, reputation, and financial benefits.

  9. Building Fortitude: Evaluating a Brief Training Intervention to Reduce Burnout in Healthcare Professionals

    PLJ January/February 2026 Stephen E. Hippler, MD, Laurence G. Weinzimmer, PhD

    Fortitude training reduced burnout in healthcare workers. A study found increased fortitude and decreased burnout in the experimental group after 3 months.

  10. Sustainable Physician Leadership: A Career Roadmap for Longevity, Growth, and Fulfillment

    PLJ January/February 2026 Keith A. Frey, MD, MBA

    Long-term physician leadership faces challenges from clinical demands, burnout, and misaligned values. Success requires resilience, growth, and key leadership skills.

  11. Preparing for Catastrophes: What Physician Leaders Need to Know

    PLJ January/February 2026 Lola Butcher

    Hartford HealthCare is enhancing emergency preparedness to prioritize enterprise-wide business continuity amid growing threats to health system operations. A leading physician explains the initiative's purpose and eff...

  12. Physician Leadership: What’s Different, What’s New With AAPL

    PLJ January/February 2026 Peter B. Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, FAAPL(Hon)

    AAPL is focused on adapting professional associations to the evolving healthcare landscape, including technological advancements, policy changes, and shifting professional needs. It addresses these challenges through ...