What does it take to lead a department responsible for 12 different clinical programs and numerous future healthcare providers? In an increasingly complex academic and clinical domain, today’s guest believes that the answer often boils down to two fundamental human elements: trust and respect.
In this episode, hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth are joined by Dr. Chris Ingersoll, Senior Associate Dean in the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences, live from the 2025 NATA Convention in Orlando.
Ingersoll shares insights from decades in academic medicine, including how large institutions support high-quality research, the challenges facing modern academic publishing, and how UNC is preparing future clinicians for the era of AI and rapid innovation.
The conversation also explores the importance of interprofessional education, why mentorship should be a lifelong pursuit, and how leadership rooted in trust and respect creates stronger cultures and better outcomes.
MEET THE GUEST
Dr. Chris Ingersoll
- PhD, LAT, ATC, FACSM, FNATA, FASAHP, FNAP
- Senior Associate Dean & Chair, Department of Health Sciences - UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine
- Professor, Health Sciences, Orthopaedics, and Exercise and Sport Sciences
- NATA Hall of Fame Inductee
TOPICS DISCUSSED
- UNC Health Sciences leadership and department structure
- Literature dilution and predatory journals
- Importance of trust & respect
- Preparing future clinicians for AI and innovation
- Lifelong mentorship in academic and clinical success
HIGHLIGHTS
01:06 — The Department of Health Sciences Overview
04:31 — Sponsors: Met One Technologies & Get Raw
05:33 — Type of Students at UNC
06:31 — Federal, NIH, and Private Funding
08:12 — Current Research Focus
08:47 — Quality of Modern Medical Literature
10:35 — The Danger of Predatory Journals
12:07 — UNC's Strategic Pillars
13:12 — Current Areas of Focus for Research
15:06 — Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare
16:43 — Building a Children's Hospital with Duke University
18:53 — The Challenges and Rewards of Leading at UNC
19:55 — Ingersoll's Goals and the Importance of Trust & Respect
24:59 — Preparing Future Clinicians for AI and Innovation
29:57 — The Role of Mentorship in Academic and Clinical Success
31:44 — The Lifelong Nature of Mentorship
QUOTES:
22:39 - But when you start with trust, and you tell people that you trust them, they feel empowered by that. Then they work to keep your trust. And I think you start with and maintain a much better culture within your organization when they believe that they're being trusted and they're willing to give trust.” - Chris Ingersoll
23:59 - “I think trust and respect are the only two essential elements that we need to be successful. I mean, do you have to like me to be motivated to work and do some things? No. But you need to trust me, and you need to respect me. And if we have those two things, we can do whatever we need to do.” - Chris Ingersoll
25:46 - “It's like, how are we going to use AI to provide better care? And these ideas, like precision medicine, I mean, imagine the information that has to go into that? We're going to have to rely on AI to give us some choices in terms of what we might choose to do. But I believe, old-fashioned or not, that in the end, the human has to make the decision.” - Chris Ingersoll
30:50 - “And I would argue that the best model is having multiple mentors, not a mentor. - Chris Ingersoll
LINKS
Christopher Ingersoll: UNC School of Medicine, Health Sciences: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/people/christopher-ingersoll
Christopher Ingersoll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-d-ingersoll-5074b11a/
UNC School of Medicine, Health Sciences: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences
NATA Convention: https://www.nata.org/career-education/education/events/convention
SPONSORS:
Met One Technologies - http://www.met1tech.com
Get Raw - https://www.getrawshots.com
DISCLAIMER
The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed.
#AcademicMedicine #HealthcareLeadership #Mentorship #InterprofessionalCare #MedicalEducation
