HFMA VIEWS

MarieAnn North, MBA, FACMPE
Director, Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Two years ago, I decided it was time to complete my Fellowship with the American College of Medical Practice Executives. I had intended to do so for many years, and had completed all but the final requirement. Unfortunately, the final requirement was an original research paper without a due date. Needless to say, it sat on the back burner for several years. It’s not that many papers weren’t started along the way. The ideas became stale, and I lost interest. It took finding a topic that captured my attention to generate the energy and enthusiasm to see this endeavor through to completion.

I stumbled on my topic quite by accident. I was asked to do a “brown bag lunch” with the faculty at one of my client sites on my thoughts as to why there are so few women in the top roles in academic medicine. Data supported the perception that diversity statistics were not improving noticeably. My research and interviews concluded in a list of what it takes for women to make it to those top Academic Medical Center or Medical School roles. While this was written from a female perspective, my male colleagues thought the list to be quite applicable to them as well. Below is the “formula for success” from my interviews, which also led to the successful completion of my Fellowship!

For those aspiring to make it to the top, success can be attained if you:

1. Are willing to work very, very hard. Forever! There are no shortcuts.
2. Make tough decisions about what you are willing to sacrifice so that there are no regrets.
3. Find a mentor. Or preferably two – a male and a female.
4. Be true to yourself – never compromise your integrity or ethics to get ahead.
5. Take risks – embrace change, challenge and creative chaos.
6. Surround yourself with a loyal, talented, high performing team and develop strong bonds with them. Genuinely like, care for, and nurture your inner circle.
7. Never stop learning. Always find new and better ways of doing everything. Possess wisdom.
8. Pick your battles – don’t use political capital on the small stuff. Keep your eye on the big picture.
9. Have fun along the way. A sense of humor is critical.
10. Have a real passion for what you do – if you love the work itself, success is a by-product and not a goal.