Dr. Stephen Williams, Urology Division Chief, recently co-authored the article, “From Bedside to the C-Suite: A National Survey on the Evolving Role of Physician Leaders in U.S. Hospitals,” published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The article examines the evolving role of physician leaders and the skills and support they need to succeed. A 2024–2025 survey of 254 physician leaders found that the most important leadership skills included emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, strategic thinking, and time management.
Most physician leaders developed these skills through work experience, mentorship, and peer support. However, access to formal leadership training was not equal, with men more likely than women to hold graduate degrees and receive full organizational funding for leadership development.
Leaders also identified several significant challenges, including balancing clinical and leadership responsibilities, staffing shortages, budget constraints, and communication issues. Women were more likely than men to report difficulty balancing these responsibilities.
The findings highlight opportunities for organizations to better support physician leaders by providing protected leadership time, equitable access to training, and resources to address operational challenges.
Congratulations to Dr. Williams on this important contribution to the field of physician leadership!