In this heartfelt episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the longest-serving White House physician. They explore the moral responsibilities of leadership in medicine, emphasizing the importance of values-based decision-making and the challenges of maintaining integrity in high-pressure situations. Dr. O'Connor shares insights on navigating ethical dilemmas, the significance of trust in healthcare, and the necessity of effective communication under pressure. The discussion highlights the need for young leaders to define their values and non-negotiables before facing crises, ultimately framing leadership as a journey of stewardship and service to others.  This episode sets the bar as a master class in physician leadership.

In this honest and humble episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart welcomes Dr. Dani Madril, a seasoned physician executive with over 25 years of experience in various healthcare settings. They discuss Dr. Madril's journey from clinical practice as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist to her current role as the market Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare. Dr. Madril emphasizes the importance of adaptability in healthcare leadership, particularly in navigating the complexities of the payer landscape and the evolving dynamics of patient care. She shares insights on the necessity of continuous learning and collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes and streamline processes, particularly in the context of prior authorizations and value-based care strategies.  The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by physicians transitioning to alternative administrative roles, particularly when accused of being on the dark side of healthcare. The episode concludes with a call to action for healthcare leaders to remain engaged and proactive in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

In this EXCLUSIVE episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart welcomes William Walders, the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer for the Joint Commission. They discuss the rapid pace of technological advancements in healthcare, particularly Artificial Intelligence. Walders shares insights on the importance of AI in healthcare, emphasizing the need for responsible governance and the integration of AI tools into clinical practice. He highlights the challenges faced by healthcare systems in adopting new technologies and the necessity for collaboration between clinical staff and IT departments to ensure effective implementation. The conversation delves into the role of AI in enhancing patient care and the importance of educating boards on AI governance. Walters also addresses the need for healthcare organizations to adapt to the changing landscape, where patients increasingly arrive with information from AI tools, and the importance of ensuring that these tools are used responsibly and effectively within clinical settings. The two thought leaders also explore the role of credentialing the AI tool itself (How was it trained? Where was it trained?) and the credentialing of the medical staff about their own level of training to use such tools, akin to a new surgical procedure.  Leadership in healthcare technology has never been this hot before…

In this mind-bending and existential episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Dr. Paulius Mui, a leader in primary care innovation. They discuss the importance of using AI tools to redefine quality in primary care, emphasizing relationships over processes, and the need for better frameworks to evaluate clinician performance. Dr. Mui shares insights on learning how to use new AI tools, addressing skill gaps, the role of chart reviews in improving care, and the significance of feedback loops in healthcare. They also explore the future of personalized primary care and the motivations driving Dr. Mui's work in the field.

In this 2026 new year kick-off episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart speaks with Dr. Carla Goulart Peron, Chief Medical Officer of Philips, a multibillion dollar, multinational healthcare innovation company, about her journey from practicing medicine to leading innovation in healthcare. They discuss the impact of medical technology, the importance of curiosity in career transitions, and the role of AI in improving patient care and access to care. Carla shares personal stories of her career changes, the misconceptions about corporate healthcare, and the skills needed to navigate this new landscape. The conversation emphasizes the importance of doing what you love and the moral responsibility of physicians to advocate for patients.

In this dynamite episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Dr. Katherine Meese, an expert in healthcare leadership and organizational behavior. They discuss the importance of prioritizing human well-being in healthcare settings, the need for trust in leadership, and the impact of generational differences on workplace dynamics. Dr. Meese emphasizes the necessity of preventative maintenance for healthcare workers, the significance of measuring the "human margin," and actionable strategies for leaders to foster a supportive and productive environment. The conversation highlights the critical role of empathy and genuine care in effective leadership, especially in the challenging landscape of healthcare today.

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Professor Matt Sabin, former Chief Medical Officer at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The two former CMOs discuss the challenges of physician leadership, the importance of self-awareness, communication, and organizational culture in improving patient outcomes. Matt shares insights on handling disruptive behavior, the significance of written communication, the importance of values-based leadership and the need for a shift in the traditional role of CMOs. The conversation also touches on the psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers, emphasizing the significance of staff-centered care in healthcare settings.

In this honest and heartfelt episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews the show’s first Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), Dr. Rachel McEntee.  They discuss Dr. McEntee's journey into informatics, the evolving role of CMIOs, the need to move from integration of technology in healthcare to the importance of leadership in informatics. This is particularly true as the conversation touches on the challenges of burnout, and the bravery that Dr. McEntee and her team exhibited when they examined their responsibility to the medical staff, et. al.  After discovering a baseline from a remarkable survey, the Informatics team not only intervened but also received recognition from the AMA Joy in Medicine program regarding their work effort. As an emerging leader, Dr. McEntee emphasizes the need for a values-driven approach in the informatics space, along with the need to promote the right types of impact of digital healthcare technology.

In this next level episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart once more explores AI, but this time with a lens on Peer Review and Physician Performance.  The conversation delves into the possibility of not just automating medical staff office functions of credentialing and privileging, but how integrating AI through ambient architecture into physician workflows and care delivery is poised to revolutionize the identification of deviations in clinical practice, recovery times, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines, enabling real-time insights that can preemptively address potential issues before they are noticed by human reviewers.  CMOs would be wise to consider how AI will not only improve the medical staff office, but how it will improve the medical staff itself.

In this sci-fi episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart explores the future of healthcare, focusing on the role of AI, the transformation of care delivery and possibly medical education, and the need for innovative leadership in the healthcare sector. He discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by ambient AI and emphasizes the importance of rethinking workforce training to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Scheinbart advocates for a shift in system architecture and design, one that prioritizes judgment and contextual understanding over old school hierarchy, ultimately aiming to enhance patient care and outcomes.  A flattening of workflows over insertion into the old tiresome ones.