Lead Change

Mary Mulcahey
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CAREERS

On this podcast, we will share stories from physicians in various medical specialties and those in roles that support the advancement of medicine to understand the skills necessary to be an effective leader. We’ll celebrate their success and hear about strategies to overcome hurdles. We will also highlight some of the unique challenges faced by women in medicine who are interested in pursuing leadership positions and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship in achieving and being successful in those roles.

  1. Episode 16: Dr. Ron Navarro. Creating Opportunity and Cultivating Leadership in Orthopaedic Surgery

    4D AGO

    Episode 16: Dr. Ron Navarro. Creating Opportunity and Cultivating Leadership in Orthopaedic Surgery

    In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary Mulcahey speaks with orthopaedic surgeon and leader Dr. Ron Navarro, Director for Clinical Affairs at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine and President of the American Association of Latino Orthopaedic Surgeons (AALOS). Dr. Navarro shares insights from nearly three decades of clinical practice and leadership across major orthopedic organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the California Orthopaedic Association (COA). He discusses lessons learned from participating in organizational strategic planning, navigating leadership transitions, and leading during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as COA president. The conversation explores how early life experiences, mentorship, and a willingness to take risks shaped Dr. Navarro’s leadership philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for others, cultivating a culture of leadership, and empowering future generations of surgeons. Dr. Navarro also highlights the mission and growth of AALOS, particularly its efforts to support Latino medical students and residents through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and professional development. Throughout the discussion, he underscores that leadership in medicine requires humility, resilience, and adaptability in the face of constant change. By sharing personal stories, practical leadership lessons, and reflections on mentorship, Dr. Navarro offers a compelling perspective on how physicians can lead meaningful change within their organizations and communities. Key Take-Home Points Leadership skills are rarely taught in medical trainingStrategic planning, organizational governance, and advocacy are rarely part of medical education.Exposure to leadership roles and committees can provide critical learning opportunities.2. Strategic planning shapes organizational direction Strategic plans act as a roadmap for organizations.They clarify priorities and guide decision-making over multiple years.3. Effective leaders create opportunities for others A key leadership responsibility is developing future leaders.Cultivating a culture where others can grow and take on leadership roles strengthensorganizations. 4. Leadership requires adaptability and comfort with change Change is inevitable in medicine and healthcare systems.Successful leaders learn to navigate and embrace change rather than resist it.5. Advocacy is essential in protecting the practice of medicine State orthopedic societies play a critical role in legislative advocacy that affects physician practice and patient care.6. Early leadership exposure matters Opportunities for medical students and residents to serve on boards, committees, and initiatives can accelerate leadership development.7. Confidence comes from action, not waiting until you feel ready Many leaders experience imposter syndrome.Growth often occurs when individuals step into roles before they feel fully prepared.8. The most effective leaders listen more than they speak Leaders should encourage diverse perspectives and avoid dominating discussions.Collaboration often leads to stronger solutions.9. Leadership includes knowing when to step aside Term limits and leadership transitions allow organizations to bring in new ideas and perspectives.10. Hard work and resilience are foundational leadership traits Success often comes from perseverance, grit, and the willingness to continue learning and evolving.

    46 min
  2. Live Podcast: Martha Deery - Turning vision into impact

    5D AGO ·  BONUS

    Live Podcast: Martha Deery - Turning vision into impact

    In this live episode of Lead Change, recorded at the ELAM program in Philadelphia, Dr. Mary Mulcahey interviews Martha Deery, a leader in organizational transformation and change strategy. Martha shares insights from her work with Kotter, emphasizing that successful change is not driven by process alone, but by leadership that inspires, empowers, and engages people at all levels. Drawing from her experience in global social impact initiatives and large-scale organizational transformation, Martha highlights the importance of understanding stakeholders, framing change as an opportunity, and creating clarity amid competing priorities. She underscores that resistance to change is often deeply personal, rooted in identity and professional investment, and that effective leaders must recognize and address these concerns. The conversation also explores the concept of distributed leadership, the importance of psychological safety, and the need for adaptability in an era of constant change. Ultimately, Martha defines “leading change” as having a vision and enabling others to take bold, sometimes uncomfortable steps in a supportive environment where they feel seen, valued, and empowered. Key Take-Home Points Change Requires Leadership, Not Just ManagementStrategy, budgets, and plans are necessary—but insufficient.True transformation depends on vision, inspiration, and people engagement.2. Frame Change as an Opportunity Clearly articulate: Why now? What is the opportunity? Who benefits—and how?Avoid jargon; communicate in simple, meaningful terms.3. Prioritization Is Critical When everything is a priority, nothing is.Leaders must define: What will change What will stop What matters most4. Stakeholder Understanding Is Essential Identify: Who is impacted—and how What they might gain or lose Recognize that resistance is often tied to identity and expertise, not just logistics.5. Engage Both Formal and Informal Influencers Change is accelerated by those who can influence others, regardless of title.Build coalitions across levels of the organization.6. Empower Leadership at All Levels Move beyond hierarchy to a network-based model of leadership.Everyone has the capacity to lead change when empowered.7. Psychological Safety Drives Innovation Create environments where individuals feel safe to: Try new things Take risks Fail productively8. Adaptability Is a Core Leadership Skill Modern organizations must continuously: Learn Pivot EvolveAgility and mindset are as important as technical skills.9. Human-Centered Design Enhances Impact Effective solutions require deep understanding of: Culture Context End usersCo-creation leads to more meaningful and sustainable change.10. Leadership Is About Empowering Others “Leading change” means: Believing in a vision Inspiring others Enabling people to do hard, new, and sometimes uncomfortable things

    28 min
  3. Episode 15: Dr. Jewel Kling. Finding Your North Star in Leadership and Women’s Health

    MAR 3

    Episode 15: Dr. Jewel Kling. Finding Your North Star in Leadership and Women’s Health

    In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary Mulcahey interviews Dr. Jewel Kling, a national leader in women’s health, menopause, sex- and gender-based medicine, and medical education. Dr. Kling shares her leadership journey from early advocacy experiences shaped by her parents’ community work, to national leadership in the American Medical Student Association, to her current roles as Division Chair and Regional Dean at Mayo Clinic. The conversation explores how identifying a personal “North Star” guides career decisions, why physicians are leaders regardless of title, and how mentorship and sponsorship create opportunities before individuals see themselves as ready. Dr. Kling reflects on stepping into leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, building innovative and community-engaged medical education programs, expanding clinical training opportunities, and preparing a diverse physician workforce that reflects the populations it serves. They also discuss the energizing role of mission-aligned work, the importance of learning financial and operational skills through ELAM, and how advocacy, inclusion, and precision medicine intersect with the future of academic leadership. Key Take-Home Points Leadership & Career Development Physicians are leaders by default—title or not; our voices influence patients, teams, and communities.Say yes to opportunities before you feel ready; growth often precedes confidence.Mentorship opens doors; sponsorship pushes you through them.Mission-aligned work is energizing, not draining—it “fills your cup” and sustains long-term leadership.Finding Your North Star A clearly defined personal purpose (“why”) guides decisions about which roles to accept or decline.Your North Star helps balance career advancement with meaningful impact, even when activities are not traditionally valued for promotion.Advocacy as a Core Leadership Skill You do not need to belong to a group to advocate for it.Early involvement in policy and organized medicine builds transferable leadership skills.Advocacy expands impact beyond one-on-one patient care.Education & Workforce Development Medical education must include community engagement, underserved care, and cultural understanding as core—not optional—experiences.Training physicians who reflect the populations they serve improves care and trust.Leadership in education requires intentional curriculum innovation, affiliate partnerships, and workforce planning.Innovation & the Future of Medicine Academic leaders must be agile and adaptable, particularly post-COVID.AI, technology, and precision medicine demand both ethical frameworks and curricular integration.Sex- and gender-based research is essential for true precision medicine.Personal Growth Through ELAM Leadership requires operational literacy (finance, systems, strategy) in addition to passion.Working with new teams in unfamiliar environments builds collaborative and adaptive leadership skills.Community among women leaders is a powerful source of renewal and perspective.

    52 min
  4. Episode 14: Maddie Davis Tully. Seek First To Understand: The Coaching Mindset That Transforms Teams

    FEB 17

    Episode 14: Maddie Davis Tully. Seek First To Understand: The Coaching Mindset That Transforms Teams

    In this episode of the Lead Change, Dr. Mary Mulcahey sits down with leadership coach and former national champion rower and collegiate head coach Maddie Davis Tully to explore what high-performance sport teaches us about sustainable leadership. Maddie shares her journey from Princeton lightweight rowing to coaching at Stanford, Ohio State, and Boston University, and ultimately to executive leadership coaching. The conversation centers on a critical shift for high achievers: moving from time management to energy management. She explains how protecting finite energy—not just scheduling time—allows leaders to perform at a high level without burnout. Drawing on her experience as a young head coach, Maddie discusses the evolution from performative toughness to authentic leadership, emphasizing the importance of empathy, trust-building, and seeking to understand before being understood. The discussion highlights how discipline, role clarity, and celebrating small wins drive long-term success in both athletics and medicine. The episode also explores lessons from leading through COVID as president of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association, including leveraging crisis for innovation, building national collaboration, and proactive advocacy. Ultimately, this conversation offers a framework for physicians and leaders to sustain performance, build high-trust teams, and align daily actions with what matters most. Key Take-Home PointsEnergy and Performance· Energy management > time management for sustainable high performance · Identify energy drains, energy sources, and what truly moves the needle · Protect energy for high-impact work and life outside of work Discipline and Process· Discipline creates freedom and enables long-term success · Focus on the process and small wins, not just distant outcomes · Motivation starts action; discipline sustains it Team and Role Clarity· High performers succeed when they understand their role on the team · Role players are essential to collective success · Trust and buy-in increase when leaders value each individual’s contribution Leadership Growth· Seek to understand before being understood · Empathy strengthens—not weakens—leadership authority · Authenticity builds trust and psychological safety · Toughness is situational; credibility comes from consistency and care Transition from Athlete to Leader·  Athletic experiences build: Patience and incremental improvement mindsetStructure and prioritization skillsComfort with feedback and accountability· Team-first thinking Leading Through Crisis· Use disruption as an opportunity for innovation and connection · Collaboration across silos strengthens organizations · Proactive advocacy is essential in changing environments Personal Purpose· Fulfillment comes from being challenged and being useful · Leadership is about expanding others’ belief in their own potential

    53 min
  5. Episode 13: Dr. Nancy Spector Why Leadership Development Matters at Every Career Stage

    FEB 3

    Episode 13: Dr. Nancy Spector Why Leadership Development Matters at Every Career Stage

    In this episode of Lead Change, host Mary K. Mulcahey, MD sits down with Dr. Nancy Spector, Professor of Pediatrics and Senior Vice Dean for Faculty at Drexel University College of Medicine, and Executive Director of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) and Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs. Dr. Spector shares her leadership journey—from her roots as a pediatrician and chief resident to becoming a nationally recognized leader in faculty development, equity, mentoring, and systems-level change. She reflects on formative moments in her career, including the importance of mentorship, peer support, and leadership training early and throughout one’s professional life. The conversation explores the origins and evolution of ELAM, its mission to transform leadership at the highest levels of academic medicine, and its shift from “fixing women” to fixing systems. Dr. Spector discusses inclusive leadership, allyship, infrastructure-building, and the necessity of preparing leaders to manage and lead effectively amid ongoing uncertainty. Throughout the episode, Dr. Spector emphasizes purpose-driven leadership, strategic patience, and the power of creating environments where diverse talent can thrive—ultimately improving medicine, science, and patient care. Key Takeaways Leadership training is essential at every stage of a medical career, not just at senior levels—and should ideally begin in medical school.Peer mentorship is often as powerful as senior mentorship, providing support, perspective, and shared growth throughout one’s career.Effective faculty development goes beyond teaching skills to include career alignment, professional growth, and leadership identity.The future of leadership in academic medicine depends on fixing systems and infrastructure, not asking individuals to adapt to broken models.Inclusive leadership requires partnership and allyship, including engagement across gender, disciplines, and professional roles.Successful leaders focus on alignment with purpose (“the why”), helping individuals and organizations maximize impact.Leading in today’s environment means accepting uncertainty and learning to lead through it, rather than waiting for clarity.A critical leadership skill is the ability to identify gaps, build infrastructure, and then empower others to lead.Maintaining a sense of humor and humility is key to longevity and resilience in high-level leadership roles.

    51 min
  6. Episode 12: Dr. Alex Ghanayem Integrity Is the Currency: Stewardship, Trust & Building for Tomorrow

    JAN 17

    Episode 12: Dr. Alex Ghanayem Integrity Is the Currency: Stewardship, Trust & Building for Tomorrow

    In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Mary Mulcahey sits down with Dr. Alex Ghanayem—orthopedic spine surgeon, longtime Loyola faculty member, department chair, and past president of the American Orthopaedic Association—for a candid and deeply reflective conversation about leadership in medicine. Dr. Ghanayem shares how his leadership journey unfolded organically, never driven by titles or ambition, but by consistently doing the work, earning trust, and saying yes when others saw potential in him. He reflects on nearly 30 years at one institution and how stewardship, culture, and people—not individual recognition—define true leadership legacy. The discussion explores leading through disruption (particularly the post-COVID era), the importance of financial and organizational sustainability, and why leaders must think years—not months—ahead. Dr. Ghanayem emphasizes integrity and trust as the true currency of leadership, the discipline required to stay focused amid constant noise, and the humility needed to empower others and step out of the weeds. Throughout the episode, listeners gain practical wisdom on leadership development, the value of professional societies like the AOA, and why aspiring leaders should stop chasing titles and instead invest in relationships, allies, and the long-term health of their organizations. Key Take-Home Points Leadership is earned, not planned. Many impactful leaders never set out to lead—they focused on doing meaningful work well and accepted responsibility when trusted by others.Integrity and trust are leadership currency. People may disagree with you, but if they trust your intentions and integrity, productive leadership is possible—even in conflict.Think long-term, not just short-term. Today’s challenges were shaped by decisions made years ago; effective leaders must look 5–10 years ahead and plan accordingly.Culture matters more than structure. A strong, people-centered culture creates resilience, collaboration, and a willingness to go the extra mile—even in challenging environments.Great leaders “become smaller.” Self-awareness, humility, and understanding how your presence affects others are essential to empowering teams.Transition from doer → manager → leader. Leaders must resist staying in the weeds and instead trust, support, and elevate those closest to the work.Focus on what you can control. Noise and distractions are inevitable—discipline and strategic focus allow leaders to move forward effectively.Don’t chase titles—build allies. Leadership success is never achieved alone; relationships and trust built along the way make advancement possible.Professional societies matter. Organizations like the AOA play a critical role in leadership development, education, and safeguarding the future of musculoskeletal care.

    49 min
  7. Episode 11: Janet Foutty. The Power of Presence, Reflection, and Purpose

    JAN 1

    Episode 11: Janet Foutty. The Power of Presence, Reflection, and Purpose

    Episode 11:  The Power of Presence, Reflection, and Purpose In this episode of the Lead Change podcast, host Dr. Mary Mulcahey sits down with Janet Foutty, former CEO of Deloitte Consulting and Executive Chair of Deloitte US, and co-author of Arrive and Thrive. Janet reflects on her 33-year career at Deloitte, her leadership philosophy, and her current focus on advancing women’s health through organizations like Women’s Health Access Matters (WAM). The conversation explores Janet’s service-oriented leadership mindset—flipping the traditional leadership pyramid to focus on enabling others—and how lessons from business leadership translate directly to medicine and healthcare. Janet discusses why investing in women’s health research and innovation is both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity, highlighting historic inequities and underinvestment. A major focus of the episode is Arrive and Thrive and its seven leadership practices. Janet emphasizes the importance of investing in your best self through self-awareness and reflection, embracing authenticity with consistency, and redefining concepts like “executive presence” to be inclusive rather than coded or exclusionary. She also shares practical tools, such as Deloitte’s Business Chemistry framework, and reflects on how leadership styles evolve across different career chapters. The episode closes with Janet’s favorite leadership thinkers, quotes, and advice on preparation, focus, and lifelong growth.

    46 min
  8. Episode 10: Dr. Matt Provencher. Building Teams That Excel: A Leadership Journey

    12/01/2025

    Episode 10: Dr. Matt Provencher. Building Teams That Excel: A Leadership Journey

    In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Mary Mulcahey interviews Dr. Matt Provencher—renowned orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, military leader, researcher, and mentor. Their conversation explores Dr. Provencher’s extensive career in the U.S. Navy, his clinical and research work, his leadership philosophy, and his roles across professional sports and major orthopedic societies.   Dr. Provencher describes the development of MOTION, the Military Orthopedic Tracking Injuries and Outcomes Network, born from a need to systematically capture outcomes across a unified EMR. He highlights the importance of team-building, persistence, and leveraging subspecialty societies (like SOMOS) in advancing large-scale research initiatives.   He discusses his leadership experience as Director of Surgical Services aboard the USNS Mercy, managing hundreds of medical professionals from multiple countries and NGOs in humanitarian and disaster-relief missions. He shares how these high-stakes leadership scenarios shaped his appreciation for communication, structure, team trust, and leading by example.   Dr. Provencher also reflects on his time as Head Team Physician for the New England Patriots, where teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, and optimizing return-to-play protocols were central to success.   Throughout the episode, he emphasizes humility, service, patient-centeredness, and the drive to continually teach, innovate, and give back to the next generation. He also discusses his motivations for pursuing an MBA, how it enhanced his leadership in professional societies like AOSSM, and its role in improving organizational strategy, financial stewardship, and meeting innovation.   The episode closes with his favorite leadership books and his go-to quote from JFK: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to one another.”

    51 min
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About

On this podcast, we will share stories from physicians in various medical specialties and those in roles that support the advancement of medicine to understand the skills necessary to be an effective leader. We’ll celebrate their success and hear about strategies to overcome hurdles. We will also highlight some of the unique challenges faced by women in medicine who are interested in pursuing leadership positions and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship in achieving and being successful in those roles.

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Mulcahey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Mary Mulcahey
  • Show Website
    Lead Change

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