Anesthesiology is a specialty of leaders and problem solvers. You play an essential role in operative, procedural, pain, and critical care, areas that account for more than 50% of hospital revenue and cost, and likely among the highest areas of risk. These areas have the most significant impact on patient experience and are certainly the basis of a health system's greatest competitive advantage.
ASA's members have mastered their clinical responsibilities. However, I believe our most successful have embraced demonstration of the competencies needed to facilitate achievement of strategic goals and operational performance. Many of our members have learned leadership on the job, and others have taken specific training and have benefited from the guidance of mentors. Leadership is a discipline that entails business skills like operations and project management, finance, and supply chain management, and so-called “soft skills” such as teamwork, negotiation, communications, and change management. It is no surprise...
