Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership

In fast-paced clinical environments, feedback isn’t just a courtesy: it’s essential.  Understanding how to communicate feedback effectively – and how to receive it – makes a powerful difference in building trust, strengthening teams and improving patient care. In this episode, we explore three types of feedback, whyreceiving feedback can feel so threatening, and how three common feedback triggers derail even well-intended conversations. You’ll learn how to receive feedback without getting defensive, how to deliver feedback that lands and how to ask for input, even in cultures where feedback is rare.

Michael Leiter, PhD is an internationally renowned expert on the psychology of work. He sits down with hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald to discuss the importance of civility in the workplace and shares some basic, straight-forward approaches physician leaders can employ to foster engagement, reduce burnout and promote respect among their teams.Learn more about Dr. Leiter's work 'Strengthening Civility in Healthcare Teams' by registering for his April 22, 2026, webinar, as part of NS Health's Inspired Leadership for Physicians webinar series: VIRTUAL: Strengthening Civility in Healthcare Teams: Respect, Engagement and Burnout Prevention | Information and Wellness Portal

NS Health neurosurgeon and Dalhousie University professor Dr. Sean Christie, MD, FRCSC, says the Canadian healthcare industry creates more greenhouse gas emissions than the airline industry: he, and a group of like-minded colleagues, are stepping up to lead efforts to change this. Dr. Christie joins hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald to discuss environmental health and the contributions physician leaders can make within their teams, as well as the role we all can play, to create a more sustainable system for generations to come.Note: the webinar referenced in this podcast, “Why Healthcare Leaders Need to Care About Planetary Health,” with Dr. Nabha Shetty, can be found at: https://physicians.nshealth.ca/news/recording-now-available-why-healthcare-leaders-need-care-about-planetary-health-dr-nabha.

In this month’s podcast, executive coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald explore the art, practice and power of listening. Listening: A Strategic Leadership Move, demonstrates how this simple but active tool can help leaders build trust, gain buy-in and empower their teams. You will learn to distinguish three levels of listening and how to actively listen better so you can lead more effectively with less effort.

In this episode, executive leadership coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald sit down with Scott Furlotte, conflictsupport consultant at Nova Scotia Health, and faculty member at both Nova Scotia Community College and Acadia University to explore the complex nature of conflict. Together, they dive into how self-awareness, interpersonal dynamics,and cultural influences shape our experiences of conflict. The conversation will touch on the impact of the many losses of human-to-human connection since COVID-19 which negatively contribute to conflict scenarios. And Scott will recommend the value of two helpful tools to practice for conflict resolution and how these elements canspark deep, transformational conversations.

In this episode hosts executive leadership coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald discuss:Taking on a new leadership role.How to gauge if you’ve inherited a high performing team—or not.What are some valuable questions to ask in exploring and building a high performing teamThe Medical Affairs leadership development team works to provide physician leaders with resources and supports to improve their leadership effectiveness to respond to system challenges and improve the quality of patient care.Learn more about leadership coaching and supports here. 2026 Provincial Physician Leadership Development ProgramA customized program featuring the Leadership Circle Profile™ (LCP), open by Expression of Interest to physicians in leadership roles (3-5 years formal experience, not previously enrolled in leadership developmenteducation).Submit your Expression of Interest. Promotional flyer is available here. 

Our newest podcast episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership features Dr. Ishraga Awad, Western Zone Associate Regional Medical Officer of Health.Born and raised in Sudan, Dr. Awad earned her medical degree from the University of Khartoum and completed her residency at Soba University Hospital in South Khartoum. She later pursued postgraduate training in public health and primary care in the United Kingdom. With over 25 years of experience in public and primary healthcare across Sudan and the UK, Dr. Awad now calls Liverpool, Nova Scotia, home. Dr Awad offers her lived experience as a rich opportunity to explore themes of resilience, adaptation, and professional reinvention.In this episode, Dr. Awad shares: (1) Her journey to Nova Scotia and her transition into medical practice and leadership; (2) How she overcame self-doubt while adapting to a new professional and personal environment: (3) Her advice for Canadian trained physicians on supporting internationally trained medical professionalsTune in for this great conversation on navigating change, building leadership, and embracing new opportunities.

In this episode, we’re joined by Lynn Edwards and Dr. Tanya Munroe, Co-Leads of the Access and Flow Network—along with holding various other leadership roles at Nova ScotiaHealth. We discuss (1) Building an effective co-leadership relationship, (2) Navigating challenges and leading a team collaboratively, (3) Leveraging different personalities, insights, and expertise to strengthen leadership

In this episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald dive into the topic of ‘imposter phenomenon’ and the need to silence your inner critic or “saboteur”—that voice of self-doubt and negative self-talk that can undermine your own confidence in leadership.

In this episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald are joined by Dr. Tina Atkinson, a sport and exercise medicinephysician based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. With 24 years of experience, Dr. Atkinson has served as lead physician or Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at more than 20national and international events.She is the Chief Medical Officer for the Canadian Sports Institute Atlantic and Canoe Kayak Canada, most recently supporting their athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Dr. Atkinson was also the primary care sports medicine physician for the Halifax Mooseheads for 13seasons.Since 2016, she has been a team physician for Hockey Canada’s Women’s Teams, including serving as the Olympic team doctor at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where the team won gold. In 2023, she became the first Chief Medical Officer of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), where she oversees medical protocols and healthcare providers across all six teams.In this powerful conversation, Dr. Atkinson shares insights on:Leading high-capacity teams and navigating complex challenges. Building trust among your team while staying person-centred. Leading when the “right answer” isn’t always clearWhy the absence of conflict can lead to greater team success—and the leadership lessons behind it.

This episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership explores leadership challenges and growth in a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Natalie Cheng, joined by hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald. Dr. Cheng has served as Medical Site Lead at Dartmouth General Hospital (DGH) since 2021. She is also a hospitalist at DGH and previously held the role of Site Chief of Family Practice from 2011 to 2017. In this episode, Dr. Cheng opens up about managing the stress of leadership amid system pressures and how she works through moments of personal doubt in her leadership role. Join Lorie, Verna, and Dr. Cheng as they discuss: (1) Navigating your “lizard brain” within the demands of high-pressure physician leadership roles. (2) The critical importance of team collaboration in effective leadership. (3) Practical insights from Dr. Cheng’s personal journey and evolving leadership style

The latest episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, dives into the art of navigating difficult conversations in healthcare leadership. They explore how these conversations can strengthen professional relationships, improve team dynamics, and drive positive change. Join Lorie and Verna as they discuss: (1) Key frameworks for handling challenging discussions with confidence and clarity. (2) The connection between conversations and relationships and key steps to strengthen both. (3) How to prepare for the difficult conversation and the seven steps to have it. Tune in for actionable insights and strategies to transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth and leadership.

The latest episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership is here! Join hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald as they dive into the art of effective leadership coaching and the strategies that drive real impact in healthcare. In this episode, you’ll learn: (1) Two key skills to master coaching as a leadership style (2) The three best questions to stimulate thinking, understand motivations, and inspire new perspectives (3) A simple framework to structure your conversations and move people to action. Whether you're a seasoned physician leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you lead with confidence.

The latest episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, explores key strategies for building strong, trust-based working relationships. They discuss how proactive relationship-building fosters greater collaboration and leads to more successful outcomes. Join Lorie and Verna as they cover: (1) How to build effective working relationships from the ground up. (2) Practical strategies for creating strong alliances and high trust. (3) Powerful questions to steer you team toward impactful collaboration.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Aaron Smith, Provincial Medical Executive Director for Northern Zone and Operational Co-Lead, Primary Care Clinics and Health Homes. Dr. Smith regularly receives coaching from the team and discusses how coaching has influenced his leadership style and effectiveness as a physician leader. In this episode, you'll learn: -What physician leadership coaching is and why it matters. -Dr. Aaron Smith’s coaching journey and its impact. -Practical strategies to integrate coaching into leadership. -How and when to start your coaching journey.

The second episode of the Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership podcast, hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, is titled "Mindfulness Matters in Medicine." In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Jennifer Jones, a gastroenterologist at Nova Scotia Health, to explore the transformative practice of mindfulness. With training and education in mindfulness, Dr. Jones explains how this practice is more than just a skill—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing both personal and professional well-being. In this episode, you'll learn: -Simple, practical ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life as a healthcare provider. - How mindfulness can reduce stress and improve overall well-being - Strategies to use mindfulness for strengthening patient engagement and enhancing the healthcare workplace. - Real-life examples from Dr. Jones' experience as both a physician and a mindfulness advocate and teacher

The first episode, "Is Your Leadership Style Working for Others?," explores how to enhance leadership skills in healthcare. It highlights the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in leadership roles. Tune in to learn how to build stronger, more effective connections with your team. What You'll Learn in This Episode: -How to evaluate your leadership style. -Tips for engaging and supporting your team effectively. -Strategies for growth in healthcare leadership Welcome to Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, presented by Medical Affairs at Nova Scotia Health. Hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, this series explores the intersection of leadership and healthcare. Join us as we share strategies, stories, and practical tools to empower physicians to thrive as impactful leaders. Whether you're navigating challenges, seeking professional growth, or aiming to enhance your leadership journey, this podcast offers the guidance you need to succeed.