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.

In this perceptive episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Leo Spector, CEO of OrthoCarolina, about the evolving role of physician executives. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in transitioning from the OR and clinical roles to leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of empathy, humility, and intentionality in leadership. Dr. Spector shares deeply personal anecdotes and remarkable insights on how physicians can prepare for leadership roles, the misconceptions about physician executives, and the future of physician leadership.

In this insightful episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages in a deep conversation with Steve McGovern, President and CEO of McGovern Executive Search. They explore the evolving role of physicians as CEOs in healthcare, discussing the challenges and opportunities that come with this transition. Using recent publications and informal, but truthful responses from healthcare leaders, the discussion covers the importance of empathy, business acumen, and strategic thinking in leadership roles, as well as the impact of corporatization in medicine. The podcast explores how physicians need to avoid being typecast when seeking leadership roles and Steve shares insights from his extensive experience in executive search, highlighting the unique attributes physicians bring to leadership positions and the potential for more mission-driven leadership in healthcare.