Lead Change

About Lead Change

On this podcast, we will share stories from physicians in various medical specialties and those in roles that support the advancement of medicine to understand the skills necessary to be an effective leader. We’ll celebrate their success and hear about strategies to overcome hurdles. We will also highlight some of the unique challenges faced by women in medicine who are interested in pursuing leadership positions and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship in achieving and being successful in those roles.

Publisher

Mary Mulcahey

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jun 2025

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Live from AOSSM: Traveling to Learn, Returning to Lead

   In this live episode of the Lead Change Podcast from AOSSM in Seattle, Dr. Mary Mulcahey is joined by sports medicine surgeons Drs. Mia Hagen, Justin Arner, and Drew Lansdown to reflect on their experience participating in the AOSSM–ESSKA Traveling Fellowship. The group discusses their varied clinical practices, their involvement with AOSSM, and what motivated them to pursue an immersive international experience in sports medicine. The fellows describe traveling throughout Europe and learning directly from leaders in sports medicine through a combination of operative experiences, scientific exchange, research discussions, and cultural immersion. Their journey included stops in Amsterdam, Oslo, Brandenburg, Milan, Barcelona, and Lyon, with opportunities to observe different surgical approaches, healthcare systems, clinical practices, and research infrastructures. Just as important as the formal education were the relationships, hospitality, and conversations that developed along the way. The conversation also explores the leadership lessons that emerged from seeing how accomplished surgeons intentionally build teams, structure clinical practices, create efficient operating environments, and develop successful research programs. Rather than simply learning what these leaders had accomplished, the fellows gained insight into how they built the systems and cultures that allowed those accomplishments to happen. Ultimately, the episode highlights the transformative potential of leaving familiar surroundings, learning from different perspectives, investing in professional societies, and building relationships that extend beyond institutions and national borders. The closing discussion reinforces several broader leadership themes: the importance of visibility and representation, learning how to motivate and develop teams, and the idea that “preparation creates confidence”—whether in surgery, research, leadership, or any other professional opportunity.

2. 

   19 Sept 2026

   S2: Episode 6: Dr. Chris Gonzalez - Leadership Starts with Listening

   In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary Mulcahey speaks with Dr. Chris Gonzalez, an accomplished urologic surgeon and physician executive whose leadership journey has included serving as department chair at two institutions, Chief of Surgery, president of a national specialty society, and Chief Clinical Officer at Loyola University Health System. Drawing on experiences spanning clinical medicine, academic leadership, professional societies, international collaboration, and even community service, Dr. Gonzalez shares a straightforward philosophy that has guided him throughout his career: try to leave every organization a little better than you found it. Dr. Gonzalez discusses why taking care of people should be one of a leader’s highest priorities. As a department chair, he viewed supporting faculty members, helping them progress in their careers, and creating an environment in which they could thrive as fundamental to the success of the department as a whole. The conversation also explores the importance of lifelong learning and international collaboration. Dr. Gonzalez describes the remarkable growth of genitourinary reconstructive surgery and his efforts to expand international participation and establish consistent standards for fellowship training around the world. His international experiences have also reinforced an important lesson: collaboration is not simply about teaching others—it is equally about recognizing how much we can learn from talented colleagues with different experiences and perspectives. Dr. Gonzalez also reflects on his transition from a highly active surgical practice to the role of Chief Clinical Officer. Although the transition required him to spend significantly less time operating, he emphasizes the importance of physician leaders remaining connected to clinical medicine. Continuing to care for patients helps leaders understand the challenges clinicians face, maintain credibility, and make decisions grounded in the realities of patient care. Finally, Dr. Gonzalez identifies two essential leadership skills: listening and empathy. Effective leaders must do more than hear what people say—they must seek to understand their concerns, appreciate their perspectives, and put themselves in others’ shoes. These skills create the foundation for trust, connection, and effective problem-solving. Key Take-Home Points Leave things better than you found them. Leadership is an opportunity to strengthen an organization for the people who will come after you—not simply to advance yourself. Take care of your people. Supporting faculty and team members in their growth, advancement, and professional fulfillment strengthens the entire organization. Listen before you lead. Dr. Gonzalez describes listening as perhaps the most important leadership skill because understanding a problem begins with genuinely hearing the people experiencing it. Lead with empathy. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes allows you to better understand challenges, build trust, and solve problems collaboratively. Stay connected to the work. Physician leaders benefit from continuing to practice medicine because firsthand clinical experience keeps them connected to patients and colleagues and helps preserve credibility. Leadership is service, not self-promotion. Whether leading a hospital, professional society, department, or community organization, the focus should remain on the people and mission being served. Learn across boundaries. International collaboration provides opportunities not only to teach but also to learn from different perspectives, approaches, and experiences.

3. 

   5 Sept 2026

   S2, Episode 5: Dr. Harriet Hopf -Building Alignment, Creating Change

   In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Harriet Hopf shares lessons from a remarkable career in academic medicine, faculty development, coaching, and organizational leadership. She describes how her passion for improving systems led her to rethink faculty promotion criteria at the University of Utah—replacing traditional, research-focused measures with a broader framework that recognizes excellence in education, clinical practice, administration, and other forms of meaningful academic contribution. Her experience demonstrates that sustainable change requires listening, stakeholder engagement, patience, and a willingness to refine an idea before implementation. Her 18-month process ultimately resulted in 94% faculty approval. Harriet also discusses the creation of the Utah Coaching and Advancement Network, a grassroots initiative designed to make coaching accessible to faculty throughout their careers. She reframes coaching as a tool for professional development and growth rather than punishment, emphasizing its ability to help people gain clarity, confidence, and direction. Throughout the conversation, Harriet challenges the traditional "checkbox" approach to academic medicine. Rather than telling faculty what they need to do to get promoted, she encourages them to identify what work matters to them, what problems they want to solve, and what motivates them. When people pursue meaningful work, she argues, achievement and advancement are more likely to follow naturally. She also shares practical advice about authenticity, autonomy, executive presence, and learning from every leader we encounter. Finally, Harriet offers a powerful definition of leading change: bring people into the process, listen, discuss, adapt, and resist the temptation to move too quickly. Her guiding principle, festina lente—"make haste slowly"—captures the central lesson of the episode: meaningful change is ultimately about people, not simply the change itself. Key Take-Home Points Lead change with people, not just a plan. The most effective change processes engage the people affected by the change. Consultation, discussion, feedback, and adaptation may take longer, but they build better solutions and greater buy-in. Make haste slowly. Urgency should not eliminate thoughtful planning. Harriet's 18-month approach to revising promotion criteria ultimately produced overwhelming faculty support. Build systems that help people succeed. Leadership isn't only about developing individuals; it is also about creating policies and processes that allow people to be successful. Redefine success around the work people actually do. Academic institutions should recognize meaningful contributions across education, clinical care, administration, research, and other forms of scholarship—not rely on a single traditional definition of achievement. Help people take credit for their work. Faculty need to understand how to articulate the impact of their work, particularly when their accomplishments don't fit traditional measures of scholarship. Coaching should be developmental, not punitive. Harriet's model makes coaching an opportunity for growth, reflection, and career development rather than something imposed when someone is "in trouble." Help people find the work that matters to them. Instead of encouraging people to simply check the boxes for promotion, ask: What work matters to you? What bothers you? What are you trying to fix?

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

16

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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