Barbara Lazio

Amid recent years of economic volatility and stagnating pay, financial planning has become increasingly relevant for physicians and other medical professionals looking toward retirement. Among a wide range of options to that end, most clinicians (69%) plan to rely on tax-advantaged accounts such as a 401(k) and other stock investments as their main source of retirement income, according to a Doximity poll.

I’m convinced I was hired into my first leadership role on a dare. I was an NP in a prestigious academic medical center with a shiny new doctorate, full of ideas for new and exciting ways of increasing patient access to care and advocating for APPs.  I had a voice and passion but a total lack of leadership experience. I was in way over my head. As an APP transitioning into a leadership role, I was surprised at the diversity of skills needed to manage clinical and administrative responsibilities.

I was perusing Reddit recently when I came across a post on the r/Residency subreddit asking for advice on running codes. Specifically, how to maintain calm as the leader in this critical situation. This led to self reflection on how I developed my own ability to maintain calm in critical situations. As an ob/gyn I don't run codes, but I consider a relatable obstetric emergency the management of a shoulder dystocia.