In this episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald are joined by Dr. Tina Atkinson, a sport and exercise medicinephysician based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

With 24 years of experience, Dr. Atkinson has served as lead physician or Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at more than 20national and international events.
She is the Chief Medical Officer for the Canadian Sports Institute Atlantic and Canoe Kayak Canada, most recently supporting their athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Dr. Atkinson was also the primary care sports medicine physician for the Halifax Mooseheads for 13seasons.

Since 2016, she has been a team physician for Hockey Canada’s Women’s Teams, including serving as the Olympic team doctor at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where the team won gold. In 2023, she became the first Chief Medical Officer of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), where she oversees medical protocols and healthcare providers across all six teams.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Atkinson shares insights on:

1. Leading high-capacity teams and navigating complex challenges.
2. Building trust among your team while staying person-centred.
3. Leading when the “right answer” isn’t always clear
4. Why the absence of conflict can lead to greater team success—and the leadership lessons behind it.