Check Out Physician Women in Leadership

Pediatrician Priti Golechha is committed to bringing more diversity to healthcare leadership. In today's interview, we discuss how she became so passionate about this issue. Furthermore, we delve into what she is doing to address it.

Dr. Golechha attended medical school in India. She comes from a family of surgeons. They expected her to go into a surgical field or be an OB/GYN, but she had other plans. She wanted to be a pediatrician.

So, she came to the United States for her pediatric residency at Elmhurst Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Then, she became an out-patient pediatrician at Golden Valley Health Center, a federally qualified health center in California.

Priti’s Physician Leadership Journey

Her leadership journey began when she applied for a regional medical director position, “thinking it might be interesting, something new, challenging enough, and I would learn something from it.”

Priti started to get a taste for management and leadership, something that happens to many physicians. Then, she took on an even bigger role: associate chief medical officer. “It's more sit-back-and-watch and let the show run. I feel like it's less control, and that makes it more challenging for me. I'm a doer, and it gets very tricky for me sometimes.”

Physicians who take on management duties often fail to carve out time for it. They add administrative duties to their already full plate. Fortunately, Priti was given sufficient leadership time. “I'm getting enough time to do my duties. I have 20% or less clinical time, and it really helps.”

diversity women physician leadership

Our Sponsor

The University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, is the proud sponsor of this podcast. You’ll remember that I interviewed Dr. Kate Atchley, the Executive Director of the program, in Episode #25 of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest running, and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country. It has over 650 graduates. Unlike most other ranked programs, which typically have a duration of 18 to 24 months, this program only takes a year to complete. And Economist Magazine recently ranked the business school #1 in the world for the Most Relevant Executive MBA.

University of Tennessee PEMBA students bring exceptional value to their organizations. The curriculum includes a number of major assignments and a company project. Hence, students immediately contribute to their organizations while in the program.

Graduates have taken leadership positions at major healthcare organizations. And they have become entrepreneurs and business owners. If you want to acquire the business and management skills you need to advance your career, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office by calling (865) 974-6526 or going to vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

Promoting Diversity in Leadership

Priti began attending conferences on leadership to learn new management and leadership skills. “The first conference I went to had less than 20% women in the room, and very few women of color. I was really shocked. It bothered me.”

 

Priti has become an active gender equity advocate. She is passionate about promoting leadership by women physicians. And she wanted to develop resources to support her vision of increased diversity.

So, she started a Facebook group called Physician Women in Leadership (PWL). Its mission is very simple. “We honestly believe in women leading women. Having women in the executive suite, or at a higher level of leadership, is a business imperative. With health care…there are literally lives at stake. Our goal is to get at least 50% women in all executive suites in all healthcare organizations.”

Our goal is to get at least 50% women in all executive suites in all healthcare organizations.

Priti Golechha

Offering Support

It’s common for women physicians to feel that they don’t have what it takes to be a leader. Often, they only apply for a leadership position after they're approached by their manager or CEO.

PWL is a warehouse of resources for women physicians. “With leadership, there is often no training. You just get thrown out there. It's like almost building an airplane while you are trying to fly it.”

Here are suggestions on how to prepare for a leadership position as a female physician and advance your career:

  • Learn new management and leadership skills
  • Take courses
  • Find a mentor or coach
  • Join professional organizations

“If you're a woman physician, it's not always easy for us. It's extra hard. We really have to apply ourselves and support and sponsor and mentor each other. We really need to be together to bring this change.”

New Professional Organization

The engagement on the Facebook group was great. But the members needed more tangible support. So Priti and a small group of colleagues created the membership organization Physician Women in Leadership, and its new web site.

The new organization advances the mission of improved diversity and equal representation of women in healthcare leadership. It is a place to find coaches and mentors, leadership training at discounted prices, and career services.

Links for today's episode:

Thanks to our sponsor…

Thanks to the UT Physician Executive MBA program for sponsoring the show. It’s an outstanding, highly rated, MBA program designed for working physicians. It might be just what you need to prepare for that joyful, well-paying career. You can find out more at vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

I hope to see you next time on the PNC Podcast.

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Podcast Editing & Production Services are provided by Oscar Hamilton.

Disclaimers:

The opinions expressed here are mine and my guest’s. While the information provided on the podcast is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, there is no express or implied guarantee that using the methods discussed here will lead to success in your career, life or business. 

Many of the links that I refer you to, and that you’ll find in the show notes, are affiliate links. That means that I receive a payment from the seller if you purchase the affiliate item using my link. Doing so has no effect on the price you are charged. And I only promote products and services that I believe are of high quality and will be useful to you, that I have personally used or am very familiar with.

The information presented on this blog and related podcast is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. It should not be construed as medical, legal, tax, or emotional advice. If you take action on the information provided on the blog or podcast, it is at your own risk. Always consult an attorney, accountant, career counsellor, or other professional before making any major decisions about your career. 

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