Attracting new medical staff leaders: Leadership selection criteria

Dear Medical Staff Leader:

The use of leadership selection criteria by the medical executive committee (MEC), medical nominating committee (which could be a subcommittee of the MEC), and the general medical staff is an important element in attracting the most qualified candidates for medical staff leadership positions.

Leadership selection criteria encourage the general medical staff to carefully consider the attributes, skills, commitment, and demonstrated leadership capability of the physicians they are nominating. It also sends the powerful message that leadership positions are vitally important to the success of the medical staff.

When developing leadership selection criteria, the MEC should invite senior administrative officers and board officers to provide their input regarding the most important attributes the medical staff should consider when nominating and selecting future medical staff leaders. This is an excellent opportunity for medical staff officers to collaborate with senior administrative officers and board officers in developing leadership selection criteria that encourages the selection of leaders who will be able to work well with senior management and the board. After all, communicate and collaborate between the medical staff, management, and the board is essential to the success of the organization. Medical staffs that elect physician leaders who have the best ability to communicate and work well with senior administrative leaders will ultimately have far greater influence on organization-wide decisions that directly impact patient care and physician practices.

Leadership selection criteria also send an important message to prospective physician leaders. A physician can review and use the selection criteria as a barometer of their own interest, ability, and skills. The criteria let them know the position is extremely important to the effective function of the medical staff and the hospital. This will give importance to the position, attract physician who may be interested in leading the staff, and focus their thinking on issues important to the medical staff (i.e. experience, commitment, continuity of leadership, and the ability to influence organization-wide leadership issues).

That's all for this week!

All the best,
Richard Sheff, MD