Physicians are often looked to as leaders in their community. The Kentucky Medical Association recognizes this important role physicians play and is working to provide training for physicians to fulfill those community expectations.
Through a grant from The Physicians Foundation, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care and KMA are hosting local leadership symposiums in Bowling Green and London as part of the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Initiative. Bowling Green and London were selected from applications submitted by physicians who attended the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Academy during the 2015 KMA Annual Meeting. These events are member-only benefits.
The Bowling Green KPLI leadership symposium will take place Saturday, April 9, at Western Kentucky University’s Augenstein Alumni Center. For more information and to register, click here.
The London KPLI leadership symposium will take place Saturday, April 16, at KentuckyOne Health-Saint Joseph. For more information and to register, click here.
The agenda for the meetings include everything from the impact of diabetes on the community, to community health needs assessments to interpersonal communications. All those areas require good leadership.
“Treatment of diabetes is really a team effort involving a number of different health professionals with differing skills and expertise,” said Fred Williams Jr., MD, FACP, FACE, of KentuckyOne Health Endocrine and Diabetes Associates. “As the leader of this team, the physician needs to acquire the skills necessary which will enable the treatment team to be successful.”
Dr. Williams will discuss the impact of diabetes on communities at the London symposium.
Regardless of the topic, good communications is important, according to Nancy Wiser, of Wiser Strategies in Lexington.
“Leaders create awareness, build support and stimulate action in a desired direction through everything they say and do,” she said. “The best leaders accomplish that without our even realizing we’ve been led.”
Wiser will lead a session on the role of interpersonal communications in improving health outcomes. She will share tips on how to put others at ease and make them feel valued, which enhances mutual trust.
“This approach opens doors for leaders to gain greater insight, share information and, eventually, persuade others,” she said.
