• Join
  • Store
  • Calendar
  • My Profile
  • Get AMSA ID
  • User Login
AMSA-Logo-w-tagline-mediumAMSA-Logo-w-tagline-mediumAMSA-Logo-w-tagline-mediumAMSA-Logo-w-tagline-medium
  • Member Center
    • Deals & Offers
    • Renew or Join
    • AMSA Around the World
    • Chapter Officer Hub
    • Launch Pad
    • Start a Chapter
    • What’s On
  • Programs & Events
    • Clinical Experiences Program
    • Convention & Exposition
    • HEART-IM Elective
    • IMG Residency Prep Series
    • Leadership Program
    • Med School Success Series
    • Mentorship Program
    • PremedFest
    • Regional SIM Challenges
    • Reproductive Health Project
    • Residency Prep Program
    • Self Awareness Assessment
    • Scholars Programs
  • Get Involved
    • AMSA Activism Updates
    • Action Committees
    • Campaigns & Initiatives
    • COVID-19 Medical Student Resources
    • Fellowship Program
    • House of Delegates
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Weeks of Action
    • Alumni
  • News & Resources
    • AMSA Alliance Directory
    • The New Physician magazine
    • On Call Blog
    • Weekly Consult newsletter
    • AMSA Ad Lib Podcast
    • Press Room
  • About
    • How AMSA Works
    • Why AMSA?
    • Advisory Council
    • AMSA Foundation
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • National Leadership
    • National Office Staff
    • Our History
Leader Spotlight: Amber Navy
June 6, 2017
3 Steps to Successful Pre-Med Planning
June 23, 2017
Show all

Growing Into the Role of a Physician Leader

By: Christine Comizio

“You are your own enemy of progress,” one medical student in the room reflected. And she couldn’t have said it better. Most people are likely to evaluate each task as they receive it, thinking: I can do that; I have to do that.

But then they think, whether intentionally or subconsciously, is this task worth progressing forward?

Dr. Rebekah Apple, MA, DHSc, AMSA’s Director of Student Affairs and Programming, spoke today with medical students at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences on the importance of developing your leadership skills as a medical student.

According to Dr. Apple, 9% of health care entities in the United States are run by physicians. Only 9%! Some countries require physicians to run health care facilities. So what does that mean? There is an incredible growth opportunity for physician leadership in the United States and AMSA aims to empower you to join the movement.

Dr. Apple recalled a past experience of working in an organ transplant sector of a hospital and how meaningful interactions with patients can be for your growth as a leader. She said, “One patient may approach you—with yellow eyes, a fragile frame—and tell you: ‘I don’t need a transplant; I’m going to try milk thistle.’”

…what on earth is milk thistle?

Was that your first thought? Possibly. But hopefully you didn’t gasp, wear the exasperation on your face, or say that out loud to your patient. Dr. Apple says that sometimes you’ll need to “meet people where they are,” and she says, “there is nothing more frustrating or beautiful” than reaching that level of balance.

The responsibility is always with the physician, she says–your patients cannot meet you where you are. Why? Because you’ve studied, practiced, and trained for years to be at your level of expertise; they haven’t.

Dr. Rebekah Apple, MA, DHSc, discusses how to develop your leadership skills as a medical student at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences on June 9, 2017.

Meeting your patients where they are is not always easy, and it requires a certain level of open-mindedness. Plus your patients aren’t the only ones you’ll need to worry about; you’ll encounter fellow physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants that all will require you to evaluate your thought process and reactions in varying situations. Dr. Apple reflected on this balance by introducing humility. What does humility mean? How can embracing humility bring you to a level of understanding needed in a strong leader? How can humility help you better navigate health care organizations?

To some students in the room, humility meant the willingness to accept that your ideas might not be the best. For others, it meant that you’re willing to accept your flaws. Dr. Apple agreed, saying that you also need to be comfortable bringing in other people that can compensate for those flaws. This method is not widely accepted in our society, yet it’s so important.

Do you know what your flaws are though? …are you sure? Dr. Apple shared the opportunity to take a free self-awareness assessment for medical students, particularly for those who are preparing for residency. You will not be able to emerge as a strong leader if you don’t know yourself, your challenges, your strengths. More importantly, you won’t be able to grow and improve yourself. Taking this self-awareness assessment will provide insight on both pinpointing potential areas of improvement and recognizing strengths, especially when it comes to being ready for the Match.

Interested in having Dr. Rebekah Apple, MA, DHSc, visit your chapter? She would love to join you! Contact AMSA’s membership team at members@amsa.org to get started.

Dr. Apple has designed and delivered educational programs for the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, Texas Health Resources and the Pennsylvania Medical Society, among others. She was responsible for customizing the world-recognized CPI 260 assessment to address leadership competencies specific to physicians, which she uses with other assessments to help physicians develop cultures of trust, maintain resiliency and lead through change. She hopes to share her knowledge and experience with your chapter!

Christine Comizio is AMSA’s Communications Manager. Questions? Comment below or email us at members@amsa.org.

Share

Related posts

November 1, 2018

‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ with UPR-Cayey


Read more
August 1, 2018

“Identify your passion and set a goal that you want to achieve”


Read more
July 1, 2018

UNLV School of Medicine: The road to Washington, D.C.


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Join / Renew Membership
  • AMSA Foundation
  • Online Store
  • Press Room
  • Work With Us
  • Institutional Partners

Contact Us

Follow Us




Copyright 2019, American Medical Student Association, Chantilly, VA