Pearls for Leaders in Academic Medicine (PDF)

"If a leader is a person who does the right thing and a manager is a person who does things right, medical school administrators today must be both."

Smart, succinct, and pragmatic, Pearls for Leaders in Academic Medicine is an essential handbook for every physician who aims to succeed in the often cutthroat and complex web of medical school and hospital administration. The "pearls" format provides easily accessible and to-the-point answers to specific inquiries, making it ideal for the fast-paced, busy administrative culture. The book covers a variety of salient topics including contract negotiation, the myths of academic medicine, media relations, grant approvals, and the always difficult issue of departmental budgets. Experienced deans offer their own counsel, such as:

"There is always time to think. If after analyzing an issue, you remain unconvinced, go with your instincts honed by a career in academia. Never forget your core values and the academic mission." Gerald S. Levey, MD, Dean, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

"The dean needs to be able to exhibit the steely confidence of Chili Palmer in Get Shorty, the decisive problem solving of Winston Wolfe in Pulp Fiction, and the quiet and magical sincerity of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series." Thomas A. Deutsch, MD, Dean of Rush Medical College, Chicago

The authors draw not only from their own experience to uncover these practical insights, but they have also called upon their administrative colleagues across the country for their expertise. Pearls for Leaders in Academic Medicine will prove to be an invaluable resource for deans, department chairs, section chiefs, senior level administrators, and those who are just beginning down the path to becoming a leader in academic medicine.