Physician Leadership Development through USACS Scholars Program
Physician leadership is the foundation of USACS. It is who we are. It is what drives us forward. To maintain this edge, we established the USACS Scholars Program. A year-long experience, this program prepares, places, and retains physicians in site-level leadership. Scholars emerge as the next generation of acute care changemakers, empowering them to embrace their potential.
Leading this initiative is USACS National Director of Professional Development, Orion Colfer, MD, FACEP. Dr. Colfer is a Scholar’s alum himself, having finished the program in 2003 with a founding legacy group. He is joined today by fellow graduate, Nick Stark, MD, Director of Clinical Operations at Mercy Medical Center Merced. They come together to highlight Scholars as an exceptional platform for internal advancement.
“Scholars is a tried-and-true framework,” Dr. Colfer affirms. “Within two years of graduating, around 90% of our physicians are in site leadership roles. I largely attribute this accomplishment to our approach. Rather than focusing heavily on technical functions of a site director, we stress vital competencies of an effective leader. By exploring core characteristics and real-world contexts, we help physicians develop the skills for success.”
To become a Scholar, a physician is first nominated by site leadership. Dr. Colfer conducts interviews and completes the seating process. He welcomes cohorts in the fall and spring, each comprised of 25+ physicians. Once accepted, physicians have an estimated time commitment of 8-10 hours per month. The schedule consists of three in-person meetings per year, two virtual meetings per month, and asynchronous training. A variety of resources are used, featuring books, workshops, assessments, and courses.
“These resources offer no shortage of ‘Aha!’ moments,” Dr. Stark shares. “A prime example is the Leadership Practices Inventory, a survey sent to peers, managers, and those we oversee. It gives a 360-degree view of how we are regarded and areas for growth—often challenging self-perceptions. Another favorite is the Crucial Conversations Workshop. This workshop employs evidence-based tactics to turn disagreement into dialogue, blending honesty with compassion. It is a small taste of the tangible lessons and opportunities to translate knowledge into practice.”
Through a comprehensive and experiential curriculum, physicians are encouraged to reflect inward, look outward, and master practical applications. It starts with self-awareness. Physicians explore communication styles, wellness habits, goal setting, time management, and more. Next, they determine how to engage and influence others. This includes topics like coaching and feedback, diversity and inclusion, and recognition and appreciation. Last but not least, they examine key responsibilities. Risk and quality, site finances, recruitment, and health system planning are among the top focus areas.
“The physician’s expertise is then put to the test in our Scholar’s Project,” Dr. Colfer explains. “This capstone is done in partnership with our Clinical Resource Group (CRG). The CRG is a consulting team of USACS nurses and engineers trained in project management. Each physician works with a CRG associate for 12 weeks to design, implement, and report on an improvement initiative at their site. Dr. Stark, for instance, aimed to reduce ambulance wait times. We had other physicians tackle HCAHPS scores, sign-outs for hospitalists, and the dizziNIHSS initiative—just to name a few.”
The value of this project is multifaceted. Primarily, it functions to teach physicians CRG best practices. They are exposed to Leader Standard Work and the Plan, Do, Check, Act methodology. Physicians also become adept at navigating unpredictable challenges of leadership. They may have to address uncertainties, recalibrate expectations, or create scaled-down strategies. They manage complex relationships and responsibilities, while delivering impactful results. Select physicians present their projects to the wider practice, a meaningful way to conclude their journey.
“The personal and professional development is simply unmatched,” Dr. Stark adds. “Yet a less obvious benefit is the community we cultivate, one that extends beyond the program itself. Scholars allows us to connect with physicians at similar life and career stages, along with our leadership team. This vibrant community fuels long-term satisfaction and progression. I must say, USACS’ investment in its physicians has earned my respect and won me over. In the end, that’s what it’s all about: being part of a group that has your back.”
As Dr. Stark expresses, USACS is committed to supporting our physicians every step of the way. There is a book read in Scholars titled What Got You Here Won’t Get You There—and our practice truly embraces that message. We know leaders must keep learning. We recognize the need to adopt novel approaches. And we provide the right tools to excel.
To learn more, check out our educational offerings and feel free to send us a message.