High Impact Physician

Most physicians assume that success in medicine means working harder—but what if that’s the very mindset keeping them stuck?

Dr. Nneka Unachukwu (Dr. Una) shares her incredible journey from a shy, introverted physician to a thriving entrepreneur and business leader. She opens up about the deep shame and imposter syndrome she faced when launching her business school, the fear of marketing as a new private practice owner, and the key mindset shifts that helped her break through.

In this episode, Dr. Una and Sandy Scott dive into:

• The moment Dr. Una realized her fear wasn’t a stop sign—it was a sign of growth.
• How she overcame the belief that doctors aren’t “business people.”
• Why building a dream business isn’t about talent—it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people.
• The underestimated power of gratitude, long walks, and faith in sustaining high performance.
• This conversation is a must-listen for any physician who’s ever felt stuck, uncertain, or hesitant to take their next big step. Dr. Una proves that success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about taking messy, imperfect action anyway.

Dr. Una, pediatrician, serial entrepreneur, founder of the EntreMD Business School.

If you want to connect: https://entremd.com/

For years, Dr. Ben Reinking believed that working harder was the key to success—until it nearly broke him. In a career defined by relentless productivity, he found himself questioning whether he was truly fulfilled or just surviving. In this episode we discuss:

• Early Leadership Struggles: How growing up as the oldest of seven children shaped his natural leadership, but his quiet nature often made him feel overlooked in traditional leadership settings.
• The Hidden Cost of Burnout: A sudden staffing crisis in his division forced him into survival mode, leading to overwhelming exhaustion and a wake-up call that something had to change.
• The Turning Point: A single conversation during a COPE session helped him realize he wasn’t okay—and that he needed to redefine his relationship with work and leadership.
• From Burnout to Coaching: His personal journey led him to physician coaching, where he helps others navigate their own career crossroads and rediscover their purpose.
• Redefining Leadership: Instead of forcing himself to fit the mold of an extroverted, authoritative leader, he embraced a more intentional, relationship-driven leadership style.

Leadership and success in medicine aren’t about working harder—they’re about aligning with your purpose, leading in your own way, and allowing yourself to grow beyond the traditional expectations of the field.

How to connect: https://thedevelopingdoctor.com/about/

What if your biggest setback turned into your greatest opportunity?
Dr. Cameron Roth never expected to be rejected from medical school. He had a clear plan—until life forced him to find another way. That detour led him to rural Central America, where he immersed himself in teaching and public health, an experience that reshaped his perspective on service, adaptability, and leadership.
In this conversation, Cameron shares:

• How missing out on medical school the first time taught him resilience
• The stark reality of transitioning from med school to residency—and why charisma isn’t enough
• The ongoing battle with imposter syndrome, even as a fully trained surgeon
• His vision for breaking down the walls between doctors and patients through transparency and accessibility

If you've ever faced uncertainty in your career or questioned your own expertise, Cameron’s journey will challenge you to rethink failure, embrace discomfort, and see growth in the unexpected.

In this honest conversation, Sandy talks with Dr. Jon King, a seasoned surgeon who’s spent over three decades navigating the highs and lows of private practice. Dr. King opens up about the internal battles he faced with burnout, self-criticism, and the pressures of modern healthcare—and how he’s rewriting the script on leadership, purpose, and joy in medicine. Together, they dive into:

• Why Dr. King says most surgeons lose touch with their “why”—and how reconnecting with it transformed how he leads his team and himself.
• Dr. King opens up about his tendency to ruminate over surgeries and why most surgeons are their own worst enemy.
• How creating a personal North Star gave him the power to turn down opportunities that don’t align with his core mission—and why he feels more liberated because of it.
• How acknowledging a colleague in the moment creates ripple effects for morale and patient care.
• Dr. King challenges the belief that healthcare is broken beyond repair, sharing why he believes in the next generation of surgeons and the power of reinvention.

This episode is an unfiltered look at what it takes to stay human in a system that often feels dehumanizing. Dr. King’s story is about reclaiming joy, leading boldly, and finding freedom in the work that matters most.

In this raw and reflective conversation, Sandy’s connecting with Dr. Jacob Anderson, a family physician and program director, who opens up about the highs and lows of stepping into a leadership role in medicine. Together, they explore:

• The realization of becoming “the powers that be,” and what it’s like to confront the very structures he once resisted.
• How curiosity—and even discomfort—can transform moments of defensiveness into powerful growth moments.
• The push and pull of healthcare’s “us vs. them” culture, and why Dr. Anderson believes embracing complexity is essential for creating meaningful change.
• Practical insights on avoiding emotional burnout by resisting the lure of quick judgment and finding more sustainable ways to lead with clarity.
• This episode challenges traditional views of healthcare leadership, showing that true strength lies in the willingness to look inward, question assumptions, and embrace the hard and important work of personal transformation. 

Dr. Anderson’s perspective offers a thought-provoking shift from typical narratives, making this conversation extra compelling.

In this deeply moving and candid conversation, Sandy Scott sits down with Dr. Stephen Beeson, founder of Practicing Excellence, to explore the intersection of professional leadership and personal vulnerability. 

Together, they dive into:

• Dr. Beeson’s shift from a family physician to a leader focused human development.
• And the profound grief Dr. Beeson is navigating after the recent loss of his brother, and how this tragedy has reshaped his perspective on what truly matters in life.
• This episode isn’t just about leadership strategies—it’s about the human journey that underpins them. 

Dr. Beeson’s honesty is a rare glimpse into the power of raw vulnerability.  
Learn more about Dr. Beeson’s work at Practicing Excellence, and discover how human development can radically change both individuals and organizations for the better.

Let’s dig into:

• The role of bullies and dark places in our lives
• Growing from the judgment and rejection from peers
• The pragmatism of pausing to navigate our circumstances from the inside-out
• Unlocking the power of a “both—and” approach to life (vs “either—or”)
• How to say “no” in a way that leads to more “yeses”
• Why having a safe place to roleplay feedback is a winning strategy
• And more

Dr. Jonathan Fisher is training minds and healing hearts as a Mindful Cardiologist, Organizational Well-Being Leader, and Best-Selling Author of “Just One Heart: A Cardiologists Guide to Healing, Health and Happiness”

https://jonathan-fisher.presale.manuscripts.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyheartmd/

Let’s dive into:

• How mowing the lawn led to military and medical service
• The need for new mental models and ways of thinking
• Shifting from “I’ll do it” to “I’ll develop my people”
• Why connecting with others is a pragmatic strategy for being more productive
• Insights after a tough exit interview that Tom learned a ton from
• His mission to develop stronger medical leaders through coaching programs and workshops
• And more

Check out The Referent Group here: https://www.thereferentgroup.com/

Dr. Tom Hustead Tom graduated from West Point in the top 3% of his class and subsequently from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. As a retired Army Colonel, highlights from his distinguished 24-year career include being awarded Flight Surgeon of the Year for his service in combat, Outstanding Faculty of the Year for his medical teaching, and board selection as Department Chair for a family medicine residency department. As a result of his appointment by the Army Surgeon General to be the “face of military medicine” to recruit and share the Army Medicine story, Tom recognized a need and developed a passion for teaching physicians across the country to be effective, engaged leaders. In his final appointment in the military, Tom was the commander/CEO of a NATO military medical facility at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. Most recently, Tom served as the CMO for the Medical Group at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, KY where he still resides. With an emphasis on servant leadership, Tom’s core conviction is that effective leadership is never about him but is focused on creating a culture where the ones he leads can thrive and succeed. Tom and his wife Cheri of 30 years live in Kentucky and have three children.

Let’s dive into:

• Navigating gossip and a lack of psychological safety 
• What to do when keeping the peace has become a full time job
• Leading teams with intention and open lines of communication 
• Taking a formal leadership role a couple months before COVID
• The reason to keep track of failures 
• The power of replying to your emails in-person
• And more

Dr. Becca Brakely, is an Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Women’s and Children’s Health at Central Maine Healthcare.

This is a deeply meaningful episode that I think you’ll feel and take something away from:

• Meta-leadership vs traditional leadership
• Organizational intelligence vs emotional intelligence
• Being a part of the first HIV-positive delivery 
• Responding to the murder of a faculty member at the height of COVID
• Managing the overnight firing of 3 key physicians
• And more

Dr. Leah Harris, among many things, Chairs the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.