Physician Coaching That Addresses Burnout and Maximizes Wellbeing
Are you feeling emotionally, physically, and/or mentally exhausted in your current role? Are you having persistent feelings of cynicism, negativity and/or loss of career purpose? If so, it’s quite possible you may be experiencing burnout.
James McKenna provides physicians with the support they need, so that they, in turn, can provide the best possible care for their patients. Inherent in that goal is helping physicians reconnect to the joy and meaning in their work that will help them remain whole and well, in order to do their great work.
Expand Your Professional Capacity and Reach Your Goals
Having a depth and breadth of experience from the private sector and public sectors, I help individuals maximize performance. My coaching model uses a results-focused, self-directed learning model informed by research, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, change principles, and adult learning theory. The process is collaborative; you and I will get to know each other and discover what’s most meaningful for you and how it will help you achieve the results you desire.
Pictured: Dr. Mike Valentine, Prof. Medicine, UVA; Past President, American College of Cardiology
Physician Coaching Can Help You
Enhance Leadership Skills
Improve your leadership capacity, such as decision-making, communication, and team building.
Improve Work-Life Balance
Learn effective strategies for managing stress and maintaining a positive work-life balance.
Address Burnout
Build resilience, wellness and wellbeing for yourself, your staff and organization.
Advance Your Career
Obtain a better understanding how to identify and pursue important career goals and achieve them.
Better Manage Stress
Learn to balance your work and life priorities to avoid burnout and other serious risks.
Increase Patient Satisfaction
Gain a deeper understanding of your inner strengths, weaknesses, and potential, and how to activate growth.
COFFEE WITH JIM
November 23, 2022
Expert Panel Dr. Anna Bortnick, Associate Professor Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx New York Dr. Aaysha Cader, Assistant Professor & Associate Consultant; Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital & [...]
COFFEE WITH JIM
July 11, 2022
By Dr. Anu Lala, Associate Professor, Medicine, Cardiology and Population Health Science and Policy, Mount Sinai. In this powerful, interactive discussion, Dr. Anu Lala reminds us of a key message [...]
COFFEE WITH JIM
February 22, 2022
Dr. Hal Baker, Senior Vice President & Chief Digital & Chief Information Officer, Wellspan Health. Where science and healing meet, that’s where Hal spends most of his strategic thinking time, [...]
What Leaders Are Saying
“Jim is very insightful and tactful with sharing these insights for improvement which is the mark of a great coach. He inspires confidence and appropriate boldness when action needs to be taken. I know I would not have been as successful or satisfied with my performance if he had not counseled me at opportune and appropriate times. I highly recommend him to anyone who is seeking improvement in leadership while achieving massive organizational goals."
Dr. Hadley Wilson
Sanger Heart & Vascular, and former President, ACC
"James McKenna is a proven, world-class executive coach who is a master of facilitating conversations that have led to the enhancement of our executive team’s communication, collaboration and connectedness. As a result, our team has developed stronger relationships, better processes and better outcomes, whose positive impact extends across our organization and ultimately to our patients and their families.
Having the ability to tap into James’ experience, as a healthcare thought leader to provide a unique, unbiased and insightful perspective, has been helpful to my professional growth as the CMO of my health system, as well as for my own personal wellbeing, thus that of my family."
Dr. Jim Rost
CMO
White Oak Medical Center, Adventist HealthCare
"Leaders need to be clear to the team members what their roles are...you know this Jim. You teach this. The value of teamwork trust is intrinsic and critical to the success of the whole."
Dr. Dick Kovacs
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
American College of Cardiology
“Professional coaching with Jim has been incredibly valuable to me. I am nearer the end of my career than the beginning…I felt I had at least one last act left in my professional life. I was satisfied with what I have achieved thus far and wanted to try expanding or using what I’ve learned to tackle something bigger. Defining that and finding that path was proving to be challenging. For these reasons, Jim’s wisdom and perspective have been so useful to me as I launch this next phase.”
Dr. Carolyn Baier O’Conor
Department Head Family Medicine and Governing Board Member, Shady Grove Medical Center, Adventist HealthCare
“J’ai travaillé avec Jim pour sortir d’un burnout professionnel et parental. Jim m’a aidé à analyser les causes de mon burnout ce qui m’a plus tard aidé à éviter de retomber dans le même problème. Il m’a aidé à trouver les mots adequats pour exprimer mes sentiments, et pour apprendre à dire non, outil essentiel pour éviter le burnout. Grâce à lui je comprends mieux ma personnalité, ma force et mes limites, et j’arrive à mieux communiquer et à dire non de temps en temps. J’arrive à reconnaitre le moment où j’atteins mes limites et j’ai les outils qui me permettent de me ressourcer et de rester résiliante face au stress de ma vie professionnelle et familiale.”
Dr. Corinne Ahmar
Hospitalist Leader
“Ho avuto la possibilità di incontrare James durante il mio percorso professionale, e non soltanto si è rivelata un’esperienza preziosa per il mio lavoro da cardiologa, ma anche per la mia crescita personale. James mi ha aiutato a capire come meglio relazionarmi con i miei pari e con i miei superiori, cercando di esaltare le mie doti positive e fare dei miei punti deboli dei punti di forza. In Italia non è ancora molto sviluppato il concetto di leadership coaching, ma io lo raccomando a tutti i miei colleghi, e in particolare alle donne in carriera, per rendere ancora più preziosa, speciale e vincente la crescita personale e professionale.“
Dr. Emilia D’Elia
Frequently Asked Questions
A physician coach is a specialized type of coach who focuses on supporting the professional and personal growth of physicians. They are typically trained in coaching methodologies, but also have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and stressors faced by healthcare professionals.
Key roles and responsibilities of a physician coach include:
- Providing guidance and support: Helping physicians navigate career decisions, work-life balance, and personal challenges.
- Coaching for resilience: Assisting physicians in developing coping mechanisms to manage stress and burnout.
- Facilitating personal and professional growth: Supporting physicians in identifying their goals and developing strategies to achieve them.
- Improving communication and leadership skills: Helping physicians enhance their interpersonal relationships and leadership abilities.
In essence, a physician coach acts as a trusted advisor and mentor, helping physicians reach their full potential and thrive in their careers.
You might consider a physician coach if you’re experiencing:
- Career dissatisfaction or burnout: Feeling unfulfilled or overwhelmed in your medical career.
- Work-life balance challenges: Struggling to manage the demands of your job with personal commitments.
- Leadership or communication difficulties: Facing challenges in managing teams or interacting with patients and colleagues.
- Personal or professional transitions: Going through a significant change, such as starting a new job, relocating, or dealing with a major life event.
- Goal setting and achievement: Needing guidance in setting and achieving personal or professional goals.
- Stress management or resilience building: Looking for strategies to cope with stress and build resilience.
A physician coach can offer personalized support and guidance to help you address these challenges and achieve your goals.
Choosing the right physician coach is essential for ensuring you get the most out of the coaching experience. Here are some factors to consider:
- Credentials and Experience: Look for a coach with a proven track record in working with healthcare professionals. They should have relevant certifications or training in coaching methodologies.
- Specialization: Consider whether the coach specializes in areas that align with your specific needs, such as career coaching, burnout prevention, or leadership development.
- Compatibility: Schedule a consultation to assess if you feel comfortable and connected with the coach. Effective coaching requires a strong rapport and trust between the coach and client.
- Coaching Approach: Different coaches have different styles and approaches. Consider whether their approach resonates with your preferences and learning style.
- References and Testimonials: Ask for references or testimonials from previous clients to get a sense of the coach’s effectiveness and the quality of their services.
Remember, a good physician coach will tailor their approach to your individual needs and goals. Take the time to find a coach who you feel confident and comfortable working with.
Any physician who is seeking personal or professional growth can benefit from coaching. Here are some specific examples:
- New graduates or residents: Coaching can help new physicians transition smoothly into their careers and develop essential skills.
- Mid-career physicians: Coaching can provide guidance on career advancement, work-life balance, and leadership development.
- Physicians facing challenges: Coaching can support physicians who are dealing with burnout, stress, or personal challenges.
- Physicians interested in leadership: Coaching can help physicians develop their leadership skills and advance their careers.
- Physicians seeking career change: Coaching can provide guidance on exploring new career paths or transitioning to a different specialty.
Ultimately, coaching can be valuable for any physician who wants to improve their well-being, enhance their career, or achieve their personal goals.
Coaching offers a wide range of benefits for physicians, including:
- Improved well-being: Coaching can help reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve work-life balance.
- Enhanced career satisfaction: Coaching can help physicians identify and achieve their career goals, leading to greater job satisfaction and fulfillment.
- Increased resilience: Coaching can help physicians develop coping mechanisms to manage challenges and build resilience.
- Improved communication and leadership skills: Coaching can help physicians enhance their interpersonal relationships and leadership abilities.
- Enhanced decision-making: Coaching can help physicians make informed decisions about their careers and personal lives.
- Increased self-awareness: Coaching can help physicians gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their strengths and weaknesses.
- Greater work-life balance: Coaching can help physicians develop strategies to manage the demands of their jobs with personal commitments.
- Improved patient care: By improving their well-being and communication skills, physicians can provide better care to their patients.
Overall, coaching can have a significant positive impact on the professional and personal lives of physicians.
Latest Insights
Stay up-to-date with leading resources in healthcare leadership, physician wellness, and productivity, produced by James and his team.
Interview
Dr. Jonathan Wenk is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Director of Operations for Integrated Acute Care at White Oak Medical Center. He is trained in both Internal [...]
Burnout
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Burnout
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Interview
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