12. Dr. Keith Lillemoe

Send us Fan MailDr. Keith Lillemoe, W. Gerald Austen Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Surgeon-in-Chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, shares his journey to becoming a leader in the field. He dives into the critical role of mentorship, the key traits of effective leadership, and how surgical education and quality improvement are evolving. Dr. Lillemoe highlights the importance of balancing leadership duties while fostering a culture of safety and excellence. He offers practical strategies for developing leadership skills, engaging faculty in quality initiatives, and sustaining progress, even in resource-constrained environments. His advice for aspiring leaders centers on mastering time management and making strategic decisions. TakeawaysLeadership in surgery requires understanding multiple missions.Trainees should seek leadership opportunities early in their careers.National leadership roles enhance institutional leadership capabilities.Setting educational standards is crucial for surgical departments.Assessing leadership qualities starts early in residency.Quality improvement is a priority in surgical departments.Engaging faculty in quality initiatives is essential for success.