September 01, 2025

Episode 137: Transforming Medicine from the Inside Out: Leadership, Wellness, and Change

41 minutes

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

This week, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Diane Sliwka, Chief Physician Experience Officer at UCSF, to explore what it really takes to create a sustainable and fulfilling career in medicine.

Dr. Sliwka shares her personal journey through hospital medicine, the challenges of burnout, and how systemic change and leadership can make a real difference for clinicians. Together, they discuss practical strategies for improving work-life balance, the power of advocacy, and the importance of open communication in healthcare organizations.

Whether you’re a physician, healthcare leader, or anyone interested in the future of clinical practice, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you thrive in your career and support a healthier medical community.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

Systemic Change Is Essential for Combating Burnout: Dr. Sliwka’s experience highlights that physician burnout is often rooted in systemic issues—such as long hours, inflexible schedules, and excessive documentation. Addressing these challenges requires organizational change, not just individual resilience.

Leadership and Advocacy Make a Difference: Taking on leadership roles and advocating for change within the system can lead to meaningful improvements. Dr. Sliwka’s journey shows that when clinicians step into leadership and use data to drive decisions, they can influence policies that support well-being, such as improved scheduling, documentation support, and wellness initiatives.

Continuous Improvement and Open Communication Are Key: Sustainable clinical practice depends on ongoing feedback, open communication between frontline staff and leadership, and a willingness to adapt. Initiatives like anonymous surveys, regular check-ins, and a culture that values listening to clinicians’ needs are crucial for creating a healthier, more supportive work environment.

Meet Dr. Diane Sliwka:

Diane Sliwka, MD is a Hospitalist and Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. In her role as Chief Physician Experience Officer at UCSF Health, she has led provider experience efforts organizationally since 2014. Diane co-designed and facilitated UCSF’s well-being centered leadership development program for physicians. She also leads UCSF Health’s Center for Enhancement of Communication in Healthcare which provides relationship centered communication skills training for providers. She hosts “The Expansive Life Project” on Instagram, providing personal well-being resources and tips focused on mid-career working professionals.

You can find Dr. Sliwka on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexpansivelifeproject/

Linked In: linkedin.com/in/diane-sliwka-md-59122413b

UCSF Web Bio: https://hospitalmedicine.ucsf.edu/people/diane-sliwka

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By Dr. Sarah Smith

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