Accelerating Physician Leader Impact: Niraj Sehgal, M.D.

In his dual roles as Chief Medical Officer of Stanford Health and Senior Associate Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, Niraj Sehgal, M.D. is afforded a unique perspective on the challenges facing healthcare today across the clinical and academic realms. Dr. Sehgal sees himself as an integrator and "bridging leader" who finds fulfillment in this dual clinical-academic capacity.

Dr. Sehgal's path to physician leadership was hardly predetermined and was fraught with "imposter thoughts" that could have derailed him. He persisted through a focus not just on himself but on others. This includes "the patient in front of me as well as the building behind me." Since his post-doctoral days at Stanford and M.P.H. studies at UC Berkeley, Dr. Sehgal has prioritized making the "building" of healthcare (i.e., the organization or system) stronger and better. This includes developing and supporting programs for physicians (including academic physicians, clinical investigators, and medical directors) to grow as professionals and leaders. 

In this conversation with WittKieffer's Michael Anderson, M.D. – part of the Accelerating Physician Leader Impact Series of podcasts – Dr. Sehgal reflects upon his own journey and lessons that other physician leaders may take away from it.