Inspired by strong women in her family, Alexa B. Kimball, MD, launched into medicine admittedly "naïve" but enticed by the power of making an impact, at first in dermatology. When patients came to her with ailments, "I could tell them what it was and how I could help them." It's that ability to make a defined, direct impact that has inspired Dr. Kimball to advance in her career and to pursue leadership through deliberate professional development (including a foray into journalism). Today, as Chief Executive Officer and President of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Kimball leads more than 2,400 physicians across a complex and evolving organization. In this episode of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast, hosted by Executive Partner Kim Smith and Physician Executive Consultant Dick Nesto, MD, Dr. Kimball shares how she built a career around the principle of empowering physicians to deliver exceptional care. "I wake up in the morning and I know what my job is," she says. "It's to take care of doctors so they can take care of people." That singular focus has allowed her to thrive in a complex organization whose entities (namely the Beth Israel and Lahey systems, which united in 2019) have varying histories and cultures. "You don't have to have a single culture to make it work," she says. "You just have to have cultures that are respectful of each other." Dr. Kimball approaches mentorship, organizational growth, and physician well-being with both strategy and compassion. She reflects on the importance of coaching, the evolving needs of younger generations, and the challenges facing research physicians today. “Staying calm is part of the job,” she advises. “That’s how you keep people inspired and also calm in times of anxiety.” Dr. Kimball's insights are valuable for experienced physician leaders as well as the next generation.

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