Case Study #1
When Difficult Doctors Stifle Culture: Coach Them Up or Coach Them Out?
Healthcare markets are changing rapidly. Organizations with cultures of innovation and creativity are most likely to effectively adapt, but radiology workforce shortages, an increasingly remote workforce, and rapid technology adaption make radiology leadership and its associated culture management more challenging than ever. When practices need to hire in the worst way, sometimes they indeed hire in the worst way, and those unchecked doctors can destroy collegiality and collective senses of purpose and direction. This interactive session will focus on identifying, categorizing, and managing difficult physicians, exploring solutions that range from coaching and other behavioral change management to employment termination (and the legal complications that may entail).
Speakers: Richard Duszak, Jr, MD, FACR, and Becky Allen, MS, CRA, FAHRA, R.T.(R)
Case Study #2
Leadership Struggles: The Personal Costs of Leading and How to Be Effective in Complex Environments
Physician leadership is often framed as a natural next step in a successful career. In reality, stepping into leadership is not a promotion—it is a role and identity shift that fundamentally changes how physicians work, make decisions, and relate to colleagues.
The first half of this session explores the professional and interpersonal tradeoffs physician leaders experience but rarely discuss openly. Through real-world examples from radiology and physician group leadership, participants will examine how leadership reshapes peer relationships, decision-making, communication, and professional identity.
While many radiology leaders have great ideas. Far fewer successfully move those ideas from concept to implementation across complex health systems. Whether launching a new AI initiative, expanding imaging services, improving operational performance, or driving strategic change, success depends on far more than clinical expertise or compelling data. Effective leaders must build coalitions, navigate competing priorities, negotiate with executives, manage resistance, and sustain momentum through inevitable setbacks.
In the second half of this highly interactive session, we will provide a practical framework for shepherding initiatives from idea generation to successful execution. Using a real-world case study focused on implementing foundation model–generated draft reports for CT chest imaging, participants will explore the critical leadership skills required to gain stakeholder alignment, secure organizational approval, manage complex negotiations, and lead change across departmental boundaries.
Speakers: Kurt A. Schoppe, MD and AHRA Faculty TBD