Experience is the best way to study. — The Board of Governor’s (BOG) exam is unique. College, medical school, licensing, boards, maintenance of certification — I’m no stranger to having my knowledge tested. But I feel comfortable saying that the BOG is a different beast. This was my first experience with an exam where I (a) wouldn’t understand…

Even when it feels hopeless. — “Why bother sticking my neck out? We’re not going to get extra money.” The pandemic has highlighted the pain middle managers can feel. You’re placed in an impossible scenario: Asked to conserve scarce resources by administration above while the team you lead is clearly in need — and it’s your…

6 clues that you’re the problem. — Toxic people don’t blame themselves. They aren’t holding up the mirror and reflecting on how they can be better team players. They have limited insight about how they make others feel. They’re just sort of bulldozing through the cubicles and displacing problems onto everyone around them. So if you’re this…

It’s not because of bureaucratic tasks — I’ve been crispy for years. Not all the time, just floating between smoldering and charred. At best, the job is OK and some days are even enjoyable. Other times, I pray to be afflicted by a fugue state and wake up washing dishes in Omaha. Primarily human but incidentally a…

6 ways to disengage healthcare professionals. — Healthcare consultants are moles for administration. Hired by the C-suite, consultants are outsiders who don’t understand the hospital, the culture or the problems. Voluntary/mandatory meetings are set up for providers to be questioned by consultants. Providers who don’t participate aren’t team players — they’re part of the problem. It’s easy…

What to do when no one gets you. — Have you ever thought you communicated exactly what you wanted to only to be totally misunderstood? Times when you receive unexpected responses or worse, no response? This happens to me with my boss and co-workers. It happens with my wife. It even happens with my eight-year old. My very literal…

Using the practice exam to build a study strategy. — The Board of Governor’s (BOG) Exam is taken to achieve fellowship status with the American College of Healthcare Executives. Criteria must be met to take the exam. …

Tips that helped me conquer the fear of flying. — When I was a kid, flying was fun. Turbulence, steep turns, long flights — these things didn’t even cross my mind, they were just part of the flying experience. Until they weren’t. A single, short commuter flight between Chicago and Des Moines wracked with panic, cold sweats, gripping the seats…

The art of medicine can be learned through patient complaints. Physicians often learn customer service in residency. We either receive a complaint or interact with a dissatisfied patient who wants a solution in real time — in either case, it’s too late. Taking a position with your group or hospital…