Parag Bharadwaj, MD, FAAHPM, serves as System Chief of Palliative Care Medicine for Sentara Healthcare.
On April 14th, Dr. Bharadwaj will present at Becker's Hospital Review 9th Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place April 11-14, 2018 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Dr. Bharadwaj's session, click here.
Question: Describe one of your best colleagues. What it is that person does/brings that makes them indispensable to your organization?
Parag Bharadwaj, MD: I work with an outstanding director of operations, Joe Cippolini, who is my dyad in supporting the operations of the Palliative Care Medicine Program at Sentara Medical Group [in Norfolk, Va.]. He has excellent leadership qualities. I have learnt much from observing him and getting candid and reliable feedback to become a better leader. Apart from many admirable qualities such as sincerity, loyalty, transparency and a [strong] work ethic, he has an uncanny ability to not allow anything to bog him down. He takes setbacks as learning opportunities and moves on. It has been an eye-opening how a solid foundation of core principles helps him face and overcome adversities, and he has been a great teacher. I appreciate working with him.
Q: What did you notice about your healthcare experience the last time you were at the receiving end as a patient?
PB: I will deviate a bit from the question to sharing an experience as a family member of a patient. I had a family member who was admitted to a well-reputed hospital and was not responding to treatments. Our family was getting mixed messages from different clinicians. I tried very hard not to play the role of a palliative care physician. After weeks of turmoil within the family, I offered to be the spokesperson on its behalf. I ended up playing the role of my family member's medical power of attorney and also assisting with his comfort by recommending medications and dosages. Luckily, the team providing care was open to the suggestions. I realized that although the field of palliative care has made great strides, there is still a long way to go.
Q: As a leader, what is the best investment you made in your own professional development in the past five years?
PB: The best investment I made is to have joined Sentara Healthcare. I moved across the country from Los Angeles to Norfolk, Va. I am the system chief of the palliative care service for a 12-hospital, integrated healthcare system that also has its own nursing homes, clinics and hospice program, among many other lines of business. I often tell my friends that although working for a large system comes with its expected challenges, I feel I am getting the experience of multiple jobs in one since I have to deal with the various entities within the system. Each has its own unique culture, leadership style, strengths, challenges and points of view. [The job] requires a customized approach in dealing with individuals and teams — clinical and administrative. Sentara Healthcare also offers various leadership growth opportunities. I have had the privilege of working with some outstanding leaders in the organization.