Caring in Healthcare Leadership: COL(R) Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA
- wardocspodcast
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 6
In this enlightening episode of the War Docs podcast, we dive deep into the journey of retired Army Colonel Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA, a seasoned leader in military medicine. Through a captivating discussion, Dr. Hartzell shares his insights and experiences, highlighting the significance of compassionate leadership and the unique challenges faced in military healthcare settings.
A Journey Rooted in Military History and Medicine
Dr. Hartzell's fascination with military history and a desire to serve laid the foundation for his illustrious career. His path to military medicine began with the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, which helped fund his education and introduced him to a life of service. Specializing in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Dr. Hartzell credits influential mentors for guiding his career choices. These mentors inspired him to pursue a specialty that plays a crucial role in military settings, addressing infections in diverse and challenging environments.
Lessons from Deployment: The Power of Collaboration
Listeners are transported to a military base in Afghanistan, where Dr. Hartzell recounts his deployment experiences. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration among different military units, including Navy, Marine, and allied partners, in providing comprehensive care. The episode underscores that many challenges in military healthcare stem from leadership rather than clinical issues, prompting Dr. Hartzell's commitment to developing future leaders in this field. His book, "A Prescription for Caring in Healthcare Leadership," aims to equip healthcare leaders with practical guidance tailored to their unique challenges.
Resource Management and Leadership Development
Dr. Hartzell covers the critical topic of resource management in healthcare settings. He stresses the necessity of setting realistic expectations and maintaining a positive outlook, even in resource-constrained environments. The episode highlights the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making, drawing insights from figures like Major General Jeff Clark. Dr. Hartzell advocates for continuous learning and growth, encouraging leaders to engage with resources like books and podcasts to enhance their leadership skills.
Role Modeling and Feedback: Cornerstones of Leadership Growth
Dr. Hartzell discusses the tangible benefits of dedicating time to leadership development. He challenges leaders to spend at least 30 minutes a week studying leadership, emphasizing the power of compassionate leadership, particularly in military contexts. Real-world examples, such as the high standards set by Army surgeon Amy Virtues and the "tough love" approach of Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, illustrate how setting high expectations with support can drive excellence.
Building a Compassionate Culture in Healthcare
Dr. Hartzell explores valuable lessons from military medicine that can benefit civilian healthcare, particularly in fostering a compassionate culture. He emphasizes the dual professions of being both an officer and a medical professional, highlighting the duty to take care of people. Key points include the importance of team care, consistent feedback, and after-action reviews in cultivating a culture of improvement. The discussion also touches on understanding individual motivators and the role of active listening and humility in high-stakes decision-making.
Empowerment Through Delegation and Support
The conversation concludes with an exploration of empowerment through delegation. Dr. Hartzell shares real-world examples where delegating tasks led to innovative solutions and team growth. The "decision tree" analogy is introduced as a framework for effective delegation, emphasizing the efficiency gained when decisions are pushed to the team. A poignant story about Lieutenant General Hertling illustrates the importance of support and empathy in leadership roles.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in leadership and healthcare, offering a unique perspective from a seasoned military medical officer. Dr. Hartzell's experiences and reflections provide valuable lessons in leadership, resource management, and compassionate care that resonate beyond military medicine. Be sure to listen to the full episode to delve deeper into these fascinating discussions.
HOW TO LISTEN AND WATCH
The episode featuring Dr. Hartzell is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Here are some popular links that will bring you directly to the episode:
Dr. Hartzell Biography
Joshua D. Hartzell, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, FIDSA is a retired Army Colonel who spent 25 years in military medicine. Dr. Hartzell has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career including being Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency and Assistant Chief of Graduate Medical Education at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Assistant Dean for Faculty Development at the Uniformed Services University. He deployed as a Battalion Surgeon with the 82nd Airborne division to Afghanistan. Dr. Hartzell is also faculty at the MGH Institute of Health Professions where he teaches leadership development. A practicing Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Physician, he has devoted the last decade to developing leaders training and teaching thousands of students, residents, and faculty within healthcare. Dr. Hartzell has delivered over 100 talks on leadership development and has written numerous papers on the topic. He combines his years of boots on the ground leading in medicine with his research to teach other leaders practical strategies about how to sharpen their leadership skills in his book, A Prescription for Caring in Healthcare Leadership: Building a Culture of Compassion and Excellence. Dr. Hartzell is a sought-after speaker and coach on leadership development who brings the leadership lessons he has learned throughout his career to learners.
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