Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast

Dr. Stacey Ishman
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Academic medicine is designed to reward output, not clarity. The result is physicians who feel overwhelmed and overextended. The Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast breaks down the systems, structures, and expectations that create that experience and how to navigate them strategically. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Ishman, a national leader in academic medicine with over 230 peer-reviewed publications, this podcast is grounded in her experience working with faculty, departments, and institutions to build clearer, more sustainable academic careers. This podcast is for: • Academic physicians across all specialties and career stages • Faculty leaders and program directors responsible for developing others • Departments and institutions focused on retention, promotion, and leadership pipelines Episodes explore the intersection of individual career strategy and institutional design, including: • Promotion pathways and why they often feel unclear • Time, effort, and why productivity is not just personal • Mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development • Retention, burnout, and how departments can better support faculty • How to build a career that is both sustainable and nationally visible You will hear practical frameworks, real coaching insights, and behind-the-scenes thinking drawn from years of work across academic medicine.

  1. 6d ago

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: How to Score a Committee Seat

    Committee membership is where visibility converts into institutional presence. It's also where a lot of academic physicians stall out — either because they don't know how the process works or because they get on a committee and don't do the work. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman walks through the full committee arc: how to select the right organizations, how to get appointed, and how to make your presence count once you're there.   Topics covered: –  How to select one or two organizations worth your focus –  Attending open committee meetings as a guest before you're a member –  Volunteering before appointment — and why it matters more than the application –  How appointment processes vary across organizations –  The role of mentors and sponsors in getting you on the right committees –  What to do once you're on: raising your hand, doing the work, driving change –  How committee leadership connects to promotion   This episode references a committee checklist. To request a copy, DM AMedSG on Instagram or LinkedIn with the word NICHE.   This is Episode 4 of 6 in The AMedSG National Reputation Series.   — — — This episode is part of The AMedSG National Reputation Series, a six-episode collection on building the career infrastructure that gets academic physicians recognized and promoted. New AMedSG episodes return in October. Follow the podcast so you don't miss it.

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: How to Score a Committee Seat

  2. Sep 2

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: Getting on the Program

    Being in the room is step one. Getting on the program is what comes next. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down the practical mechanics of securing a speaking spot at academic meetings — from abstract submission strategy to panel design to the direct ask most people avoid making. Topics covered: –  Building a conference calendar with abstract and panel deadlines mapped 6-12 months out –  How to introduce yourself to program committee members and make the ask –  The difference between submitting an abstract and submitting a panel — and why both matter –  How to design a panel that makes it easy for senior faculty to say yes –  Leveraging sponsors and mentors to get your name in the right rooms –  Volunteering as a moderator as a program entry point   This episode references a checklist for getting on the program at national meetings. To request a copy, DM AMedSG on Instagram or LinkedIn.   This is Episode 3 of 6 in The AMedSG National Reputation Series.   — — —   This episode is part of The AMedSG National Reputation Series, a six-episode collection on building the career infrastructure that gets academic physicians recognized and promoted. New AMedSG episodes return in October. Follow the podcast so you don't miss it.

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: Getting on the Program

  3. Aug 26

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: The Insider's Guide to National Meetings

    National meetings are one of the fastest ways to build a national reputation — but only if you approach them with a strategy. Showing up is not enough. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman walks through how to use academic conferences as a career-building tool, not just a CE credit opportunity. She shares how she navigated early career introversion to build meaningful relationships with thought leaders, program committee members, and future collaborators. Topics covered: –  How to identify and connect with program committee members before you're ready to ask for anything –  Why Q&A sessions are a legitimate visibility strategy –  The case for attending social events even when it's uncomfortable –  Abstract and panel deadlines: building a calendar that keeps you on track –  Moderating as an entry point to the program –  How to approach a conference as a system, not a series of sessions   This is Episode 2 of 6 in The AMedSG National Reputation Series. — — —   This episode is part of The AMedSG National Reputation Series, a six-episode collection on building the career infrastructure that gets academic physicians recognized and promoted. New AMedSG episodes return in October. Follow the podcast so you don't miss it.

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: The Insider's Guide to National Meetings

  4. Aug 19

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: What is Your Word

    Before you get on the program, before you network strategically, before you build your research plan — you need to know what you're known for. Or more precisely, what you want to be known for. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman walks through the process of identifying and committing to your one word: the niche, focus area, or phrase that will anchor your publications, presentations, and national reputation. She shares how diffuse collaboration early in her own career made it hard for others to understand where to place her — and the advice from a mentor that changed her approach entirely. Topics covered: –  Why a scattered publication record works against you even when the work is good –  How to identify the one word or phrase that should appear in everything you do –  Using your publication record and web presence as a diagnostic tool –  When and how to say no to off-topic requests –  How to creatively bridge collaborations back to your primary story –  Working with mentors and sponsors to reinforce your focus area   This is Episode 1 of 6 in The AMedSG National Reputation Series. — — —   This episode is part of The AMedSG National Reputation Series, a six-episode collection on building the career infrastructure that gets academic physicians recognized and promoted. New AMedSG episodes return in October. Follow the podcast so you don't miss it.

    [Replay] The AMedSG National Reputation Series: What is Your Word

  5. Aug 12

    What Thriving Faculty Know: Identity Formation with Dr. McMains

    What does it take to build a professional identity that supports both career growth and a meaningful academic career? In this episode, Dr. Chris McMains discusses professional identity formation, belonging, career transitions, and why early-career physicians need more than a list of accomplishments to thrive. If you’re interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit www.amedsg.com to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points 1. Identity Tension Is Normal in Early Career — 02:00 New faculty members face a flood of roles and expectations while trying to figure out where they fit, where they are going, and whether they belong. 2. Belonging Should Not Be Contingent on Productivity — 03:30 An intrinsic sense of belonging—knowing you are valued regardless of what you produce—can influence creativity, wellbeing, and the ability to thrive. 3. Your Professional Identity Is Not Just One Identity — 06:00 Physicians hold multiple identities: clinician, educator, researcher, leader, mentor, and more. Integrating these professional and personal identities can create greater energy and meaning. 4. Leaders Can Create—or Reduce—Identity Threats — 09:30 Leaders play an important role in creating environments where faculty feel valued and supported. Belonging requires deliberate cultural signals, not just individual effort. 5. Career Transitions Require Deliberate Identity Work — 11:00 As physicians move through their careers, some roles and identities need to be released while others are preserved or reshaped. Dr. McMains uses the metaphor of a “controlled burn” to describe this process. 6. Change Begins With Loss — 14:00 Even positive career changes can involve loss and a period of uncertainty. Recognizing this “liminal space” can help physicians move through transitions rather than rushing past the discomfort. 7. Stop Saying Yes to Everything — 18:00 Early-career physicians are often told to say yes to every opportunity. Instead, faculty and leaders should identify work that aligns with an individual's interests, strengths, and sense of purpose. Learn More About Dr. Chris McMains Dr. McMains’ work focuses on professional identity formation and helping physicians and leaders better understand the identity transitions that happen throughout an academic career. To learn more about his work and resources, visit attendingtoself.com. Summary Professional identity formation is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing process that changes as academic physicians take on new roles, release old ones, and navigate career transitions. For early-career physicians, the goal is not simply to accumulate accomplishments, but to deliberately build a career in which your work, values, identities, and sense of belonging reinforce one another. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Academic Medicine Strategy Group Podcast on your favorite platform. If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: DM me on Instagram: @sishmancoach Email: stacey@amedsg.com Website: www.amedsg.com

    What Thriving Faculty Know: Identity Formation with Dr. McMains

  6. Aug 5

    Why Time Management Is Important

    Time management is one of the most common challenges physicians face, especially when balancing clinical responsibilities with research, education, leadership, promotion, and life outside of work. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explains why effective time management is not about doing more—it is about creating systems, finding the right method, and intentionally protecting what matters most. No need to take notes—visit the blog for a full summary of key insights. If you’re interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit www.amedsg.com to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points: 00:00 — Why Time Management Is a Career ChallengeTime management consistently comes up in coaching and faculty development because physicians are trying to balance competing professional priorities without sacrificing the things that matter outside of work. 02:00 — You Make Time—You Don’t Find ItMany priorities are shaped by other people’s agendas, including emails, EMR messages, and unexpected requests. Creating progress requires intentionally deciding what deserves space on your calendar. 03:00 — Time Management Changes at Every Career StageThe strategies that work during fellowship or early faculty years may not work later. As responsibilities evolve, physicians need to reassess and redesign their systems. 04:00 — Protect Time for the Career You WantClinical work will grow, but research, education, administration, and other meaningful areas may require deliberate protection. Early-career physicians should make room for the work they want to build—not only the work that arrives first. 06:00 — Find a Method That Matches How You WorkA stalled manuscript, grant, promotion packet, or project may not be a time problem. It may be a method problem. Finding an approach that fits how you think and work can make progress feel more achievable. 08:00 — Use Small, Unclaimed Blocks of TimeDr. Ishman shares how she used commuting time and short periods between commitments to speak the first draft of her book. Small, intentional blocks can create meaningful momentum without taking time away from work or family. 12:00 — Systems Beat WillpowerScheduling a specific task during a specific window reduces the need to rely on motivation. A clear system can help physicians make progress while remaining present for family and other priorities. 13:00 — Choose One Priority and StartOverwhelm often happens when every task feels equally important. Identify one high-priority item, focus on the next step, and build momentum from there. Summary: Time management is not a one-time productivity solution. It is an ongoing career skill that must be reassessed as responsibilities change. For early-career physicians, the goal is not to fit more into every day—it is to create systems that protect meaningful work, support long-term career goals, and help prevent the demands of academic medicine from taking over every available hour.   Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Academic Medicine Strategy Group Podcast on your favorite platform. If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: ● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach● Email me at stacey@amedsg.com● Contact me at the website at www.amedsg.com

    Why Time Management Is Important

  7. Jul 29

    What Great Deans Know: How Medical School Curriculum Actually Gets Designed with Dr. David L. Battinelli

    What makes a great medical school isn't just an innovative curriculum—it's faculty who know how to help learners grow. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman sits down with Dr. David Battinelli, Executive Vice President, Physician-in-Chief of Northwell Health, and Dean of the Zucker School of Medicine, to discuss why faculty development is the foundation of educational excellence and how academic leaders can build systems that prepare physicians for decades of practice, not just graduation. Dr. Battinelli is a founding member of the Zucker School of Medicine and previously served as vice dean, dean for medical education, and chair of the committee responsible for developing the medical school's curriculum. He is also the co-author of Revolutionizing Medical Education: Proven Blueprint to Transform Curricula and Prepare Future-Ready Physicians, a book that explores how medical schools can reimagine curricula and physician training to better prepare physicians for the future of medicine. If you're interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit www.amedsg.com to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points 00:01 | Building a Medical School from the Ground UpDr. Battinelli shares why creating a brand-new medical school gave his team the opportunity to rethink traditional medical education and implement changes that many established institutions struggled to adopt. 03:00 | Faculty Development Drives Educational InnovationCurriculum alone doesn't transform learners. Faculty must be equipped with modern teaching, coaching, and facilitation skills that match how today's physicians actually learn. 08:20 | Continuity Creates Better Teachers—and Better PhysiciansRather than rotating through countless supervisors, students benefit from long-term relationships with faculty who can mentor, coach, and gradually increase responsibility over time. 11:30 | Preparing Faculty for 30-Year CareersMedical knowledge evolves continuously. Great institutions don't just onboard faculty—they build systems that help physicians adapt, grow, and continue learning throughout their careers. 14:00 | Keep Faculty Connected to TeachingOne of the best ways to develop physicians is to keep them engaged in education. Teaching reinforces clinical excellence, strengthens professional purpose, and helps faculty continue growing alongside learners. 17:45 | The Future of Academic MedicineDr. Battinelli discusses how AI, connected care, and new models of patient engagement will reshape medicine—and why institutions must prepare both faculty and trainees for a very different future than the one they inherited. Summary Academic medicine changes when faculty change. While curriculum reform often receives the attention, this conversation highlights that sustained excellence comes from developing educators, building meaningful mentoring relationships, and creating systems that help physicians continue growing throughout their careers. For early-career academic physicians, investing in your development as both a clinician and an educator will shape your long-term impact far more than any single promotion or title. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Academic Medicine Strategy Group Podcast on your favorite platform. If you're interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoachEmail me at stacey@amedsg.comContact me through the website at www.amedsg.com

    What Great Deans Know: How Medical School Curriculum Actually Gets Designed with Dr. David L. Battinelli

  8. Jul 22

    Building Great Careers: Designing the Career You Actually Want with Pamela Mudd

    What does it take to build an academic career that is both successful and sustainable? In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman sits down with pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Pamela Mudd to discuss how finding your niche, leading with intention, and learning to say no can transform your career trajectory. Their conversation offers practical lessons for early-career faculty who want to build careers they are proud of—not careers they simply inherit. If you're interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit www.amedsg.com to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points 00:01:00 | Finding Your Through Line Dr. Mudd shares how following her clinical interests evolved into a focused academic niche built around solving meaningful problems rather than simply pursuing opportunities. 00:04:00 | Why Your Niche Matters Early  Learn why developing expertise in a specific area helps establish your academic identity, creates opportunities for collaboration, and reduces burnout as your career grows. 00:08:00 | Stop Fixing People. Start Improving Systems.  Leadership begins with understanding the systems around you. Dr. Mudd explains how shifting from micromanaging people to improving processes changed both her leadership style and her team's effectiveness. 00:13:00 | The Power of Intentional Career Design  After a major life transition, Dr. Mudd realized she had inherited a career built from years of saying yes. Coaching helped her step back, redefine her priorities, and intentionally redesign her professional life. 00:19:00 | Letting Go Creates Space for Growth  Your calendar should evolve as your career evolves. Learn how eliminating responsibilities that no longer fit can create opportunities for greater impact, renewed energy, and leadership development for others. 00:22:00 | From Reactive Work to Strategic Work  Discover practical strategies for protecting time for deep work, making more intentional decisions, and using AI thoughtfully to reduce administrative burden and improve communication. 00:26:00 | Coaching, Mentorship, and Building a Career You Love  Drs. Mudd and Ishman discuss the unique role of coaching, how it differs from mentorship and therapy, and why having an objective partner outside your institution can accelerate career growth and promotion. Summary  Great academic careers rarely happen by accident. They are built through intentional decisions about where to invest your time, energy, and talents. Whether you're establishing your niche, preparing for promotion, or learning to lead, creating space to reflect and design your career will help you build a professional life that is both meaningful and sustainable.   Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Academic Medicine Strategy Group Podcast on your favorite platform.  If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach Email me at stacey@amedsg.com Contact me at www.amedsg.com

    Building Great Careers: Designing the Career You Actually Want with Pamela Mudd
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About

Academic medicine is designed to reward output, not clarity. The result is physicians who feel overwhelmed and overextended. The Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast breaks down the systems, structures, and expectations that create that experience and how to navigate them strategically. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Ishman, a national leader in academic medicine with over 230 peer-reviewed publications, this podcast is grounded in her experience working with faculty, departments, and institutions to build clearer, more sustainable academic careers. This podcast is for: • Academic physicians across all specialties and career stages • Faculty leaders and program directors responsible for developing others • Departments and institutions focused on retention, promotion, and leadership pipelines Episodes explore the intersection of individual career strategy and institutional design, including: • Promotion pathways and why they often feel unclear • Time, effort, and why productivity is not just personal • Mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development • Retention, burnout, and how departments can better support faculty • How to build a career that is both sustainable and nationally visible You will hear practical frameworks, real coaching insights, and behind-the-scenes thinking drawn from years of work across academic medicine.

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