The Fire Chief

The Fire Chief

The Fire Chief podcast, hosted by Dr. Lee Scheinbart, brings you frontline, candid conversations about what its like to be a Chief Medical Officer at a time when the health care is on fire. And getting hotter all the time. Being a CMO is no small task and it takes intentional preparation, although some of it feels like a trial by fire. Becoming a CMO is like a career in firefighting. You start by going to firefighter school and you train and drill until you are ready to fight a fire. You put on the uniform day in and day out doing your job, maybe even becoming a squad leader or captain one day. And then, perhaps, you become a Fire Chief, or in this case, the Chief Medical Officer. This podcast is dedicated to the CMO.

Episodes

July 22, 2025 7 mins

After six months of non-stop episodes, Dr. Lee Scheinbart, the host of The Fire Chief podcast takes a moment to reflect on the leadership themes that have emerged from his conversations from physician leaders and Chief Medical Officers.  The show has evolved from exposing the lessons learned in natural and manmade disasters to lessons in leadership, resiliency, vulnerability and humility.  Take a moment to hear what has happened du...

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In this "top ten" episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Dr. Sachin Jain, a prolific writer and amazing leader in transformative healthcare delivery.  They discuss Dr. Jain's journey from medicine to executive roles, the challenges of driving transformational change in healthcare, and the importance of clinical voices in leadership positions. The conversation highlights the need for innovative approache...

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July 8, 2025 47 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart breaks down the Breakdowns with Preston Alexander, the self proclaimed Taylor Swift of LinkedIn healthcare writing.  A seasoned healthcare entrepreneur, and author of The Healthcare Breakdown and the Forward / Health Breakdown newsletters, Preston discusses the challenges and opportunities facing physician leaders in today's healthcare landscape. Together Preston and Le...

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In this intense episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, physician to the 44th President, Barack Obama, and author of "Transforming Presidential Healthcare."  Dr. Kuhlman shares insights from his time as a Navy physician and director of the White House Medical Unit, discussing the importance of rigorous medical standards, the role of chief medical officers, and the ethical consideration...

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June 24, 2025 49 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Dr. Lee Scheinbart engages in a profound and deeply personal conversation with Dr. Jerome Adams, the former U.S. Surgeon General.  During the initial wave of COVID-19, Dr. Adams made some of the most impactful decisions in US history that only he could make.  Perhaps the most crucial was his commitment to lead the nation and not to be painted as the politicized doctor of the President...

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June 17, 2025 41 mins

As the United States heats up on multiple fronts regarding our military, our immigration policies, our access to healthcare, our rights to peaceful protest and our vaccine stance, this week's Fire Chief Podcast features Dr. Gerry Cox, a retired physician who served as a White House physician and held various leadership roles in the military and the Veterans Administration.  Hosted by Dr. Lee Scheinbart, the two physician leaders di...

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June 10, 2025 28 mins

In this EXCLUSIVE episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Greg Murphy, a physician and member of Congress, discussing his journey from medicine to politics, his advocacy for physicians, and the challenges within the healthcare system. Dr. Murphy shares insights from his medical mission work, his experiences as chief of staff, and the importance of physician involvement in legislative processes. He emph...

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This hot off the press episode of the Fire Chief Podcast discusses the recent closure of the Crozer Health System and its implications for healthcare in Delaware County. Host Lee Scheinbart and guest Dr. Marcin Jankowski explore the challenges faced by healthcare providers during this crisis, the impact on patient care, and the personal toll of such closures on medical professionals. They delve into the importance of leadership in ...

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May 27, 2025 48 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Michael Bakerman, the Chief Medical Officer at HCA Lawnwood Hospital. They discuss Dr. Bakerman's journey from cardiology to leadership roles in healthcare, the evolution of medical informatics, and the role of young physicians play in shaping the future of patient care. Dr. Bakerman shares insights on the challenges facing healthcare today, the importanc...

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May 20, 2025 46 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Austin Chang, an interventional gastroenterologist and Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic. They discuss Dr. Chang's journey in healthcare, the importance of patient education, and the role of social media in disseminating medical information. Dr. Chang talks about his book about gut health, the challenges of navigating the healthcare ecosystem, and the ne...

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May 13, 2025 42 mins

Summary

In this sparky episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, Dr. Ghazala Sharif discusses her unique dual role as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operations Officer at Scripps Health. She shares insights on the importance of rapid decision-making in healthcare, especially during crises like COVID-19, and emphasizes the need for physician involvement in operational decisions. Dr. Sharif also addresses the challenges of building trust a...

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May 6, 2025 43 mins

Summary

In this flamethrowing episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart engages with Lieutenant General Mark Hertling to discuss the critical role of leadership in healthcare. They explore the development of physician leaders, the importance of interprofessional education, and the mulititude of crises faced by healthcare leaders in today's complex environment. The conversation delves into the impact of misinformation, ...

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April 29, 2025 44 mins

In this remarkable episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, two former CMOs, now both dedicated to working with medical students, Dr. Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Stuart Marcus, a seasoned physician leader. Dr. Marcus was a surgical leader at Bellevue Hospital when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.  His life changed forever that day, as did so many others. They discuss the importance of integrating leadershi...

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April 22, 2025 47 mins
In this masterful episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Doug Koekkoek, a former Chief Physician Executive, discussing his journey in healthcare leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges faced by Chief Medical Officers today. They explore the transition from clinical roles to executive positions, the significance of leadership training, and the complexities of labor relations in hea...
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April 15, 2025 44 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Christopher Chisholm, the Chief Medical Officer of Providence Swedish Central Service Area. They discuss Dr. Chisholm's journey from military medicine to civilian healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, the role of influence in leadership, and the impact of mentorship.  In this conversation, Chris and Lee discuss the evol...

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April 8, 2025 38 mins

In this crazy episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Tim Norton, Chief Legal Officer at Augusta Health. They discuss the evolving role of Chief Medical Officers in healthcare, the importance of understanding legal frameworks, and the challenges posed by legislative changes, particularly regarding Medicaid. Tim shares insights on effective physician leadership, emphasizing the need for curiosity and the ab...

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April 1, 2025 45 mins

In this remarkable episode, Dr. Stephen Klasko shares his journey from aspiring DJ to a prominent figure in healthcare innovation. He discusses the importance of patient-centered care, the evolving role of chief medical officers, and the impact of AI on the future of medicine. Klasko emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to adapt to changing environments and redefine their roles to lead effectively in a transformative he...

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March 25, 2025 38 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Brian Vartabedian, Chief Medical Officer at Texas Children's Hospital. They discuss Dr. Vartabedian's journey from medical school to leadership, the challenges of opening a new children's hospital, and the importance of addressing physician burnout. The conversation also explores the evolving role of physicians in the age of technology, the distinction be...

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March 18, 2025 35 mins

In this episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Eric Bricker, Chief Medical Officer and founder of A Healthcare Z. They discuss Dr. Bricker's journey from a summer internship at the NIH to becoming a CMO, his experiences in healthcare billing, and the founding of Compass Professional Health Services. Dr. Bricker shares insights on the importance of financial literacy in healthcare, his motivation for c...

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March 11, 2025 31 mins

In this blazing episode of the Fire Chief Podcast, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Lara Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas which is experiencing an outbreak of measles. They discuss Dr. Johnson's journey back to her hometown, her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of both the virus and the media attention affecting her community. The conversation highlights the challenges fa...

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