Profiles of Excellence: Interview with Dr. Ed Walker

Thursday, October 1, 2015 | MedAxiom

Why is providing physician leadership training more important than ever?

We were never trained as physicians to handle the complexity of the current care environment, and so partnership with talented administrators is essential. Although some physicians additionally go on to further training to actually become full-time administrators, the majority of physician leaders will end up working with administrative partners who can collaboratively enhance their skills. That takes additional training.       

What are some of the biggest challenges physician leaders face today?

Physicians are being asked to manage increasingly complex caseloads to a higher degree of excellence, both clinically and administratively. More than half of practicing physicians report significant burnout. For some the solution is to decrease the amount of work doing but, surprisingly, for others it involves getting more involved in leadership, which seems to restore focus and balance.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

Over the past 35 years I have been a clinician, researcher, administrator and teacher, but my greatest love is teaching. I get to teach in many different ways, sometimes in the classroom, often at the bedside, occasionally through group facilitation, and frequently through coaching and mentoring promising aspiring physician leaders.       

If you could choose any job outside of health care, what would it be?

My wife is a social worker, and we have been planning on doing some social justice work during our retirement. It doesn’t matter what the content is as long as it is making a difference. I particularly like helping people become self-reliant and independent.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

I’ve been a private pilot all my life, and am currently a very serious glider pilot. I have a motor glider which can get me deep into the Cascade Mountains east of Seattle, and it is just a glorious process to turn off the motor and use your discipline and skill to work the thermals and ridges for lift. Like many things in life, it’s exacting, focused and rewarding. It can also be a time to just relax and enjoy the view.

Where do you hope to go on your next vacation and why?

We didn’t travel much when I was younger due to financial issues, but I have a strong desire to explore my roots in Western Europe. I’ve been to Paris a few times in my later years and I loved it!

What books are you currently reading or wanting to read?

My favorite topics are philosophy, history of science and cosmology. I also love behavioral economics and nearly any science topic. I usually check out the Book section of the NY Times each Sunday and then load up my library account with holds. They just keep streaming in, and now that I‘m partially retired, I have a favorite reading nook as well.

The name of the last movie or live performance you saw . . . thumbs up or down?

I adore Baroque music. I trained as an organist, so anything by Bach or Handel, for example, gets my juices flowing, especially if it is choral. Last performance I saw was an historically accurate Handel Israel in Egypt. Very well done!

What are you most looking forward to at the Fall’2015 Conference?

Can’t wait to teach leadership! See you there.

Ed Walker, MD, MHA, Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavior Sciences, University of Washington; Seattle, WA is facilitating MedAxiom’s exclusive Leading Change: Physician Leadership Training program. This first session of the 4-part certificate series launches on Friday, October 23rd in Dallas. There are just a few spots left for this training program session, which is open to MedAxiom member physicians and program administrators; to register please click here.

Dr. Walker is also speaking at the Fall ’15 Conference general session presentation on Creating a Winning Physician and Administrative Leadership Model.