Praise for Physician Leadership

"Leadership in healthcare is not a 'lifetime achievement award,' but is, in truth, the set of learned knowledge and applied skills with which a leader inspires others to achieve what they believe is beyond their reach, and in many cases, to inspire the future leaders of our professions. We are constantly acquiring new knowledge and building new shills. Physician Leadership is well organized and thoughtfully annotated and will provide a useful framework to build a practical leadership foundation for those on a lifelong leadership journey, as related by one of the most respected leaders in our field."

-Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center

"I heard Dr. Nichols's voice as I read this-kind and wise. She is an uber-mentor and friend to our profession. We need her voice now more than ever."

-Christian T. Cable, MD, MHPE, FACP, FACOI, Director of Graduate Medical Education, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX

"To call Dr. Nichols a trailblazer would be a gross understatement. In this book, she 'pays it forward' with lessons and advice that will guide the aspiring physician leader on a path to success. I highly recommend this well-referenced work to all such physicians."

-Boyd Buser, DO, FACOFP dist., Past President, American Osteopathic Association Clinical Professor, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

"This personal, provocative, and principled leadership roadmap reveals that although physicians may be smart and educated, under challenging conditions, their knowledge and skills don't necessarily translate to the essentials of leading diverse teams, institutions, and communities."

-Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE RDML, MC, USN (RET), President and Chief Executive Officer, Rocky Vista University

"Karen Nichols, D.O., presents a refreshing, practical, realistic, engaging, and personal guide on becoming an effective physician leader. She challenges the assumption that physician clinical expertise is synonymous with, and easily transferable to, 'effective' physician leadership. Physician Leadership presents a comparative analysis of physician skills versus leadership skills that is masterful. Dr. Nichols shares her lessons learned in a personalized manner that is relatable for physicians who aspire to lead. A must-read."

-Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., M.A., FACOFP, President-elect, American Osteopathic Foundation

"Dr. Nichols draws important parallels between the physician's comfort in their role as a physician and discomfort in their role as a leader. This honest and approachable book is critically important for the physician who is struggling to find their voice and to contribute to leadership positions both inside and outside the house of medicine."

-Natasha Bray, DO, MSEd, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Accreditation, Oklahoma State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation

"Are you an excellent physician who wants to take the next step to leadership? Dr. Nichols' book, with its practical, conversational style, will guide you through the steps of knowing your own leadership strengths and areas in need of further growth. Physician Leadership will help you develop the skills you will need to succeed."

-Jessica L. Bienstock, MD, MPH Professor, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education / Designated Institutional Official, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

"In this book, Dr. Nichols shares a step-by-step roadmap guide on how to elevate your leadership skills and become a transformative, visionary, and most importantly, successful leader in healthcare. This practical guide is not only full of incredibly useful and impactful information, but unlike many other leadership books, it is also infused with personality and anecdotes that allow the reader to see the evolution of their leadership development laid out in a very clear roadmap to success. All exceptional physicians are not exceptional leaders, and the tools needed to be a transformative leader are not taught in medical school curriculum. This book fills that need and lays out the groundwork for how to take your career to the next level in a practical and intentional way."

-Shikha Jain, MD, FACP, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Director of Communication Strategies in Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Associate Director of Oncology Communication & Digital Innovation, University of Illinois Cancer Center Chief Operating Officer, Co-Founder, IMPACT, Chair, Co-Founder, Women In Medicine Summit

"Never has there been a more important time for leadership in healthcare. Many of us have learned to lead in medicine through the mentorship of our peers and by dedicating our lives to advocating for our colleagues, trainees, patients, and profession. In Physician Leadership, Dr. Nichols provides an excellent compilation of well-researched tools and shares her experience from a lifetime of leadership to allow young leaders to shorten their journeys toward success."

-Robert S. Juhasz, DO, MACOI, FACP, 118th President of the American Osteopathic Association, Clinical Professor of Medicine, OU Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Contributing Author of New Horizons in Patient Safety: Understanding Communication: Case Studies for Physicians

"Karen Nichols, D.O. is a 'leader's leader' and a 'teacher's teacher.' Her acumen and basic, well founded approach to leadership skills are not only based on years of multidisciplinary clinical and administrative leadership, but her true sense of the basics of complementary collaboration. She is able to compile the concepts of 'leadership training' into a common sense treatise on nonclinical 'physician leadership.' Her format and presentation make this instructional book a true treasure to read, re-read, and practice."

-Thomas Ely, D.O., FAAFP, FACOFP, FAAOE, President, American Osteopathic Association LTC (Ret.) US Army

"In this book, which provides a roadmap for physician leadership, the gifted Dr. Karen Nichols brilliantly compares and contrasts the skills that we attain during our training as doctors with the skill set needed for good leadership. She masterfully discusses one's personal approach to leadership, communication skills, perspective, decision-making, character, emotional intelligence, negotiation skills, conflict management, the art of persuasion, managing change, and meeting dynamics with just the right amount of humor and poignant examples with workbook style questions when appropriate. I especially enjoyed the nod to osteopathic medicine. This book is very well referenced and is a 'must-read' for leaders in medicine, both old and new."

-Roberta E. Gebhard, D.O., 2019-2020 President of the American Medical Women's Association American Medical Association Women Physician Section Governing Council Member, TIME'S UP Healthcare Advisory Board Member, Physicians Just Equity Advisory Board Member

"Here's the book we've been waiting for. All the steps needed to take you from being a great physician to a great physician leader, from a true expert in the field. Dr. Nichols has created a roadmap to success that is worth your read."

-Margaret A. Wilson, D.O., Chair AACOM Board of Deans, Dean, Professor Department of Family Medicine, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University

"It will be a great leader resource."

-Richard S. Dobrusin, D.O., MS(Ost) FACOFP, President, Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association

"Dr. Nichols, your book is WONDERFUL! Wow! The lessons and insight you provide readers is INVALUABLE, and you do this in a personal and practical way. The examples you use in the book are personal and relatable, and the style in which you deliver information is clear and usable. Readers will gain so much from your knowledge and experiences through this step-by-step manual on how to be an effective physician-leader! Brava!

-Dr. Jen Caudle, Family Physician, Associate Professor, Rowan University

"Dr. Nichols's roadmap is essential reading for physician leaders. Readers will learn the 11 essential topics through anecdotes and reflective prompts, providing a practical guide specifically for physicians. Physicians are well-trained to approach diagnostic mysteries in a systematic way, but those skills are not readily translatable to leadership of teams or organizations. Through Dr. Nichols's Physician Leadership, physicians charged with leadership roles can learn the 11 essential topics to become a successful physician leader. The book takes a deep dive into each essential topic through personal anecdotes and provides a practical guide to application of these topics through reflective questions. Leaders at every stage will find sage advice and guidance on navigating the challenges surrounding the transition from astute clinician to physician...