Can medical staff leaders succeed themselves?

Medical staffs often struggle to fill leadership positions because they require training and experience. Therefore, when they find someone willing to do it year after year, they may want to reappoint him or her to the position. But is this okay?

In general, if a physician is doing a good job as chair of a department or committee, the medical executive committee (MEC) can request that he or she continue in the position. However, the hospital must consider whether the individual has the confidence of his or her peers. If so, the physician should be permitted to serve as long as he or she wishes, provided that he or she performs in accordance with medical staff bylaws.

Compare this situation to a business. Most businesses (including hospitals) do not require experienced individuals to rotate their "job" with less experienced individuals. If an individual is doing a terrific job and wishes to remain in the position, he or she will maintain those responsiblities until he or she is either promoted or "stolen" by a competitor.

Medical staffs should attempt to follow this model. In the absence of a bylaws provision prohibiting physicians from succeeding themselves, the MEC should feel free to appoint an individual to chair a committee year after year.

In fact, there are many physician leaders nationwide that have served in their positions for years. Unfortunately, some organizations have adopted medical staff bylaws that prevent excellent department chairs from succeeding him or herself, even if they had the confidence of the members of the department and are performing their jobs well. Medical staffs should evaluate their bylaws provisions to determine if they present an unnecessary barrier to an efficient, effective medical staff.