BWH Physicians’ Council 2009-2011 Term Underway
The BWH Physicians’ Council began its 2009 to 2011 term in February with eight newly appointed members and nine physician members continuing for another term. The Physicians’ Council is co-chaired by Jessica Dudley, MD, chief medical officer for the BWPO, and Lisa Crossley, MD, from Anesthesiology.
Initially launched in December 2004, the Physicians’ Council is comprised of physician representatives from each hospital department and the private staff appointed by the chair. It is charged with developing and supporting programs and activities through three subcommittees: volunteerism, leadership and work life and events.
In the last year, the Physicians’ Council reviewed proposals for the Brigham and Women’s Outreach Program (BWOP) and selected a volunteer outreach project with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Phyllis Jen, MD, of the Department of Medicine, and Amy Judd and Howard Hiatt, MD, of the Division of Global Health Equity, submitted the project proposal, citing IHS’ clinical, administrative and educational needs at its hospitals in Gallup and Shiprock, New Mexico. Eleven Brigham physicians have volunteered with IHS through BWOP since July 2008.
The leadership subcommittee collaborated with the BWH Center for Faculty Development and Diversity in partnership with Harvard Business School to launch the Brigham Leadership Program. Approximately 100 physician and administrative leaders have participated in this customized leadership training program, which has had two successful iterations and was just reestablished for a third starting in October of 2009.
The work life and events subcommittee addresses physician work life concerns and is responsible for coordinating events such as the Physician Recognition Dinner and Physicians’ Council Grand Rounds. Members of the 2009-2011 subcommittee members are focusing on e-mail management, physician access to electronic resources and how changes in the ACGME work hours could affect physicians.
“Many thanks go to our outgoing members who have served the Physicians’ Council for the last three years or more,” said Brian Bilchik, MD, the co-chair for the 2007-2009 term.
Members of the 2007-09 council who are not returning include: Joan Spiegel, MD, of Dermatology; Daniel Solomon, MD, MPH, of Medicine; Steven Ringer, MD, PhD, of Newborn Medicine; Neeraj Kohli, MD, of OB/Gyn; Mitchel Harris, MD, of Orthopedics; Monica Bertagnolli, MD, of Surgery; Carol Nadelson, MD, of Psychiatry; and Wonsuk Suh, MD, MPH, of Radiation Oncology.
Members from the last term who will continue to serve include: co-chair Lisa Crossley, MD, of Anesthesiology; Joshua Kosowsky, MD, of Emergency Medicine; Leonard Lilly, MD, and Jennifer Haas, MD, of Medicine; Tracey Milligan, MD, of Neurology; Alexandra Golby, MD, of Neurosurgery; Rebecca Folkerth, MD, of Pathology; Richard Baum, MD, of Radiology; and Brian Bilchik, MD, who represents private staff.
The council welcomed newly appointed members: Abrar Qureshi, MD, MPH, of Dermatology; James Maguire, MD, of Medicine; Robert Insoft, MD, of Newborn Medicine; Jon Einarsson, MD, MPH, of OB/Gyn; Brandon Earp, MD, of Orthopedics; Elizabeth Breen, MD, of Surgery; David Gitlin, MD, of Psychiatry; and Stephanie Weiss, MD, of Radiation Oncology.
“We’d like to hear ideas that could improve work life, volunteerism or leadership efforts from physicians throughout the organization,” Dudley said, urging physicians to contact their department representative.