Letter from the BWPO Chairman
Dear Colleagues:
BWH and the Physicians Organization are committed to advancing the professional development of all our clinicians and investigators through our intern, residency, fellowship and postdoctoral programs. We have a remarkable track record for producing dynamic leaders in medicine and science, thanks to an unmatched commitment to leadership development through both informal channels and formal programs.
One of our most recent success stories is the Brigham Leadership Program developed by the Physicians’ Council and the Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (CFDD) in partnership with the Harvard Business School. In its second year, this program has reached nearly 100 mid-career faculty, brought together from distinct departments with hospital leaders. Its successes, in large part, are due to the efforts and vision of the course directors, Drs. Andy Whittemore, Barbara Bierer, Jessica Dudley, Mitch Harris and Allen Smith, and administrators Audrey Haas and Kristen Giambusso.
Dr. Harris, chief of Trauma in Orthopedics, and chair of the Physicians’ Council leadership subcommittee, serves as the voice of the participant. A gifted surgeon with a significant caseload at the cusp of assuming greater leadership responsibilities, he added tremendous value to developing meaningful curriculum for himself and his peers.
Audrey Haas, executive director of the CFDD, joined BWH from Boston University, where she directed its executive MBA program. She played a significant role in determining the criteria for program participants and ensuring the course content was experiential, integrated and of value for the hospital.
Course directors ensured this program was applicable to the research community with case studies through which participants examined financial, personnel and scientific integrity issues. Participants gained an understanding of how professionalism, interpersonal skills and teamwork are equally valued in both bench and bedside-focused efforts. Additionally, network development plans were made relevant to our physician and research participants through an engaging panel discussion on the subject with BWH and PHS leaders.
Combining the experience and expertise of these folks with faculty from one of the world’s best business schools could only result in a valuable and successful program. It’s one more example of what makes BWH a true epicenter for training health care leaders.
Sincerely,
Robert Barbieri, MD
Chairman, BWPO