Finding a Physician Champion

As you consider possible medical staff members, look for important characteristics. Your candidates should demonstrate personal integrity. Confirm your impression of their personal integrity with other physicians, partners, nurses, patients and sometimes the grapevine. Physicians who are medical staff leaders would seem to be a good choice and often are. Remember that medical staff leaders have generally been politically active. Leaders may compromise to make deals and put “spin” on reports. This is not to say that politically active physicians are unacceptable, but be circumspect. Ask yourself, do they have the respect of the medical staff? Have they alienated segments of the medical staff during political battles? Can they build respect and trust? Are they empathetic with the members of the medical staff? Can they meet the expectations and needs of their sponsors and supervisors?