Advertise on podcast: The Fire Chief

In this dynamic episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Victor Vargas, physician executive, retired U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, and founder and CEO of CrediSync. Drawing on lessons from military medicine, special operations, and his own journey into physician executive leadership, Victor explores how a relentless focus on mission and systems improvement shaped the way he approaches one of healthcare’s most persistent administrative challenges: physician credentialing. Lee and Victor examine why credentialing remains fragmented and labor-intensive, and why many of its problems originate long before a file reaches the credentials committee. Their conversation explores the critical partnership between physician leaders and medical staff professionals, moving from reactive problem-solving to upstream system design, and using technology to reduce repetitive administrative work. Dr. Vargas also shares his vision for clinician-owned, portable credentials and a “credentialing readiness” approach designed to identify gaps before an application is submitted—allowing everyone involved in credentialing to focus more attention on what matters most: quality and patient safety.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Sheri Mancini, surgeon, physician advisor, U.S. Navy veteran, and author of Healthcare as Infrastructure: A Constitutional Approach to Reform. Drawing on more than two decades inside the healthcare system, Sheri challenges leaders to consider whether healthcare has drifted away from its fundamental mission—and what it would mean to treat healthcare as essential national infrastructure rather than ordinary commerce. Lee and Sheri explore the tension between mission and margin, how financial incentives shape everyday operational decisions, and why CMOs are uniquely positioned to recognize institutional drift. Using examples from the operating room and beyond, they discuss resource allocation, physician incentives, stewardship, and the responsibility of physician executives to advocate for change. Dr. Mancini ultimately challenges CMOs to put on their “mission goggles” and examine where financial pressures may be pulling their organizations away from the communities they exist to serve.

In this forward-looking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Matthew Mazurek, physician leader, medical educator, and co-editor of Systems Thinking for Physician Leaders. Drawing on his work in leadership, professionalism, and medical education, Matt challenges the traditional approach of expecting physicians to learn leadership informally through experience and mentorship alone. Lee and Matt explore how leadership education could be intentionally incorporated into medical school and residency, from foundational concepts such as emotional intelligence and leadership styles to conflict management, difficult conversations, and understanding the healthcare system itself. The conversation examines the challenges of an already crowded medical curriculum, the need to prepare faculty to teach leadership, and the value of longitudinal, case-based, and experiential learning. Dr. Mazurek also looks ahead to simulation and AI as tools that could allow future physicians to practice leadership skills in realistic, psychologically safe environments.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Jess Bunin, retired U.S. Army colonel, physician leader, executive coach, and author of From the Inside Out: How Self-Aware Leaders Build Trust and Transform Healthcare. Drawing on her experiences in military medicine, medical education, and healthcare leadership, Jess explores why building trust with others must first begin with understanding ourselves. Lee and Jess examine the relationship between self-awareness, trust, and accountability, including how leaders can address harm without creating more harm in the process. The conversation introduces restorative justice as a different way to approach conflict—looking beyond individual behavior to understand who has been affected, what systems may have contributed, and how relationships can be repaired. Dr. Bunin also challenges CMOs to balance accountability with support, resist organizational scapegoating, and recognize that meaningful culture change begins with the leader’s willingness to look inward before leading outward.

In this insightful episode, host Dr. Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Anne Hirsch, certified physician coach and expert in physician professionalism and behavioral concerns. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and extensive experience with physician peer review, Dr. Hirsch challenges leaders to look beyond the label of the “difficult physician” and understand what may actually be driving problematic behaviors. Lee and Anne explore how stress, burnout, communication styles, and a lack of self-awareness can turn good physicians into perceived problems—and why coaching should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a punishment. The conversation examines the importance of understanding intent versus impact, recognizing patterns of behavior, and helping physicians see how their words and actions land with others. Dr. Hirsch also challenges CMOs to intervene earlier, normalize coaching, and build cultures where difficult conversations happen directly rather than through labels and complaints. Ultimately, the discussion asks leaders to consider whether the physician is truly disruptive—or whether the physician themselves has become disrupted.

In this compelling episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Colonel Michael Kloepper, Director of Leader Development and Character at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Drawing on decades of experience leading soldiers in combat and developing future military leaders, Colonel Kloepper shares timeless leadership principles that translate remarkably well to healthcare and physician leadership. Lee and Mike explore how effective leaders make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty, the role of humility in leadership growth, and why influence ultimately becomes more powerful than authority. The conversation highlights practical lessons on building trust, avoiding overconfidence bias, developing psychological safety, and shaping organizational culture through everyday actions. Colonel Kloepper also offers valuable insights into developing future leaders, reminding us that leadership is measured not only by the decisions we make today, but by the people we prepare to lead tomorrow.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart welcomes Dr. James "Jim" Lindberg, Chief Medical Officer, physician executive, board-certified coach, and an incredible essayist on physician leadership. Drawing from decades of experience across clinical practice, academic medicine, and executive leadership, Jim challenges physicians to rethink many of the assumptions they hold about leadership, organizations, and professional influence. Lee and Jim explore why so much physician frustration is rooted not in difficult people, but in misunderstood organizational structures. Together they examine the critical distinctions between physician buy-in and true engagement, physician leaders and physician executives, presence and governance, and leadership, relationship, and structural problems. The conversation offers a practical framework for diagnosing organizational challenges while encouraging physicians to develop the "structural literacy" needed to move beyond adapting to healthcare systems and toward helping architect them. Ultimately, Dr. Lindberg reminds us that the future of healthcare will belong to physician leaders who are willing to engage boldly, think systemically, and earn the opportunity to shape the organizations in which they serve.

In this in-depth episode, host Lee Scheinbart welcomes retired U.S. Navy submarine commander Robert "Navy Bob" Roncska for a conversation that bridges military command and physician leadership. Drawing on decades of experience leading nuclear submarine crews, Bob shares practical lessons on building trust, developing people, and creating high-performing teams through genuine relationships rather than authority alone. Lee and Bob explore the principles of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and discuss how leaders move beyond constantly "fighting fires" by investing in the people they serve. Through memorable stories from life aboard a submarine and while carrying the nuclear football for President George W. Bush, Bob illustrates how psychological safety, purposeful communication, and authentic care can transform organizational culture and improve performance. The conversation challenges leaders to discover their own purpose while helping others find theirs, reminding us that leadership is ultimately measured by the lives we influence and the legacy we leave behind. By the end of the conversation, listeners will discover that some of the most enduring lessons in physician leadership come not from a hospital—but from hundreds of feet beneath the ocean's surface.

In this thoughtful episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Vidhya Prakash, physician executive and author of The Leadership Learning Curve: A Woman Physician's Journey as a Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Prakash shares candid reflections on her evolution from an infectious disease physician to Chief Medical Officer and the leadership lessons learned along the way.  Lee and Vidhya explore the transition from clinical expert to enterprise leader, the importance of adaptive leadership, and why effective leaders must learn to manage tension by containing the heat rather than eliminate it. The conversation highlights practical strategies for building trust, breaking down silos, listening deeply, and recognizing when leadership requires a shift in role or perspective.  Dr. Prakash also discusses the value of journaling, embracing failure, and viewing leadership as a continual process of learning, resilience, and growth.  Ultimately, Dr. Prakash earns the distinction of becoming the ultimate Chief Firewoman!

In this critical episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Nicholas "Nick" Testa, Chief Clinical Officer at Sentact and former Chief Medical Officer for California at CommonSpirit Health. Nick shares his journey from emergency physician to healthcare executive and discusses his passion for improving healthcare by helping CMOs do their job with the proper tools and support. Lee and Nick explore the foundations of healthcare improvement through safety, quality, and ultimately the patient experience. They also explore the real purpose of executive rounding and the importance of building trust before driving organizational change. Dr. Testa offers practical insights on physician accountability, peer review, patient safety, and why healthcare transformation ultimately depends on relationships, credibility, and human connection. The conversation also highlights the impactful support that Sentact provides to the Chief Medical Officer through its educational experience, The Senior Leader Forum, along with its variety of leadership tools needed to improve healthcare at scale.

In this transformational episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Chad Perlyn, Dean and Chief Medical Officer at Nova Southeastern University. Lee and Chad explore how physicians can transition from clinical roles to leadership positions within healthcare systems. Dr. Perlyn tells the tale of his "hard right turn" toward leadership and also shares his journey from pediatric plastic surgery to becoming a healthcare leader, highlighting key experiences and mindset shifts essential for success. The conversation delves into the role of mentorship and coaching in leadership development, as well as overcoming challenges and identity shifts during transitions. Emphasizing the importance of curiosity, humility, and honest communication, Dr. Perlyn provides strategies for developing leadership skills and navigating complex healthcare systems. Finally, the two leaders also discuss the importance of cultivating leadership awareness early in medical school through a unique format; a book club!

In this powerful episode of The Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in an insightful conversation with Carey Goryl, CEO of AAPPR, a seasoned leader in the world of physician recruitment.  As head of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recuitment (AAPPR), Carey provides leadership to the only organization committed to redefining recruitment and retention through its membership of physician and provider recruitment leaders and others who influence recruitment, onboarding and retention.  Discover how healthcare organizations can transform physician recruitment and retention strategies by focusing on long-term culture, stability, and leadership by listening to the robust conversation. This episode explores innovative approaches to foster loyalty, autonomy, and effective onboarding for physicians, emphasizing the importance of organizational alignment and strategic planning.  It all starts at your front door...

In this heartfelt, face-to-face interview for The Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound conversation with Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling US Army (ret), author of the recently published book, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal.  Together they explore their shared passion, research, and results in leadership development and the impact of context in leadership teaching. The conversation covers key concepts like trust, self-awareness, and adapting leadership to changing environments. In the second half of the interview, they turn to the recent publication and Mark offers timeless lessons on character, the scars of leadership, and the value of service.  The two compare profound parallels between the military and medicine, and in a moving moment near the end of the discussion, Mark offers his deeply personal reflections on why he wrote the book.  Finally, the two gentlemen conclude that leadership is, at its essence, all about love.

In this deep dive episode of The Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Li Ern Chen, a visionary leader in healthcare transformation and Korn Ferry's Market Leader of Physician Workforce. They delve into Korn Ferry's 2026 Physician Executive Survey and highlight the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers, emphasizing the importance of financial fluency, workforce strategy, and cultural development in driving change. Dr. Chen shares strategic insights on leveraging digital investments and fostering a resilient, engaged physician workforce. The discussion highlights the necessity of cross-functional collaboration, the integration of technology in healthcare, and the cultivation of organizational culture to enhance recruitment and retention. Dr. Chen underscores the importance of linking metrics to culture and performance, framing leadership as a journey of continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.  Ultimately, culture wins over compensation among today's healthcare leaders and it is a wise leader that treats their workforce not as "staffing" but as capital that cannot be squandered and that must be invested.

In this existential episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews LynAnn Weaver, Certified High Performance Coach, a transformation strategist dedicated to empowering physicians and healthcare leaders. LynAnn, a former healthcare service line leader, shares practical strategies (three pillars) to enhance practice growth, leadership skills, and well-being to improve clinical excellence and organizational culture.  The conversation touches on the gaps in leadership development for both practicing physicians and their physician leaders and how these gaps can lead to, in some cases, a real existential (identity) crisis for a doctor.  The show breaks new ground when it comes to exploring what physicians go through when they are trying to lead themselves and others.