The Many Paths Academic Medicine’s Tripartite Mission Can Prepare You For with Michael A. Barone, MD, MPH

Michael A. Barone, MD, MPH, President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), is our guest for this week’s memorable edition of the Faculty Factory Podcast.

His background in academic medicine and passion for all three pillars of its tripartite mission (clinical care, education, and research) have equipped him for success in many environments, including his time with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). He settled into his role as ABP CEO in early 2024.

Curiosity and a Love of the Tripartite Mission
Curiosity and his love of education helped set the stage for him to leave a more traditional faculty career path in pursuit of broader opportunities. Dr. Barone discusses the importance of curiosity in his professional growth throughout this interview.

“I gravitated to academic medicine just because it fed something a little bit different in me,” he told us.

As a board-certified pediatrician and associate professor with Johns Hopkins Medicine, he immersed himself in a culture of inquiry and innovation, laying a strong foundation for his career. With the NBME, he helped oversee the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program and other vital initiatives.

“That was a great honor and a great responsibility to oversee the US Medical Licensing Examination program,” he said.

Transitions: Building Trust in New Environments
Throughout this podcast, Dr. Barone discussed the interplay of curiosity and trust, as well as the occasional feelings of imposter syndrome that accompany new roles. He strongly recommends finding time to read The Thin Book of Trust, which you can learn more about here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/770101/the-thin-book-of-trust-third-edition-by-charles-feltman/.