Leadership in the medical field is expanding rapidly as the healthcare sector becomes more and more complex in the 21st century. Medical training emphasizes technical expertise. Healthcare providers, however, find themselves increasingly focused on the administrative side of medicine. They are called to lead others while delivering quality care. At McDonough, many leadership students major in science-related fields, while pursuing a minor/certificate in Leadership Studies. Through coursework and hands-on experiences, they develop the confidence and insights about the leader-follower relationship. These insights have a direct application to the services they will provide in the healthcare field.
Todd Myers, MD '91
1. Title and Organization:
Physician, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Chair, Dept. of Surgery, Marietta Memorial Hospital
General Partner of Marietta Gynecologic Associates
Marietta, OH USA
2. Educational Record:
At Marietta College:
Graduation Year: 1991
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): English Literature
Certificate(s): Leadership
Honors/Awards: Ryan Scholarship for Physics & Math, Delta Tau Delta Honor Initiate, Ohio Governor’s Honor Program
Degrees after Marietta College:
Area of Study: Medicine
College/University: West Virginia University School of Medicine
Graduation Year: 1995
Honors/Awards: President of Class- Charleston Division
Area of Study: Obstetrics/Gynecology
College/University: Marshall University
Graduation Year: 1999
Honors/Awards: Resident of the Year, Best Resident Teacher of the Year
3. Describe your organization and what you do in this organization (job responsibilities, recent projects, work environment).
At Marietta Gynecologic Associates, I perform a leadership role in a small business. My work consists not only of direct patient care but also managing the financial aspect of the business. We employ 25 people and have created the most successful women’s healthcare practice in southeastern Ohio.
With my current role as Chair of Surgery and my previous role as Chief of Staff, I represent approximately 150 physicians. The challenges presented in a large bureaucracy can be very different from those posed in the small business setting.
4. Briefly discuss how "leadership" plays a role in your professional field.
In my practice, my leadership role centers more around customer service, quality care for patients, motivating employees and optimizing financial return for the business. In my leadership roles at the hospital, I represent a large number of very opinionated people and try to mediate their concerns with the administration of the hospital. I am also in charge of resolving conflicts between physicians themselves.
5. Briefly discuss how the McDonough Leadership Program prepared you for this professional field and leadership challenges.
The McDonough Leadership Program gave me the confidence to dive into leadership positions with the knowledge that I have the ability to resolve problems and ultimately improve people’s lives. It also gave me the appreciation that good leadership makes a real difference in organizations and that it is worth the effort and time.