Becker's Hospital Review

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP 29 Executives' playbook to beat impostor syndrome By Kelly Gooch M any healthcare executives have faced impostor syndrome during their careers and have learned how to overcome it. Impostor syndrome is described by the researchers who first explored the concept as not experiencing "an internal sense of success," or believing your peers are overestimating your intelligence. A report released June 6 from organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry found that 71% of CEOs and 65% of senior executives in the U.S. experience symptoms of impostor syndrome in their role. Among female executives in particular, 75% have experienced impostor syndrome in their careers, according to a 2023 study from tax advisory firm KPMG. Here, several executives share their experiences with impostor syndrome and their advice for peers with Becker's. Rina Bansal, MD. President of Inova Alexandria (Va.) Hospital and Senior Vice President of Inova Please share an instance when you felt impostor syndrome in your leadership role and how you overcame it. My very first hospital level leadership role was that of an interim chief medical officer of a large quaternary care medical center. I was a young female physician, less than 10 years in practice. All of a sudden I had department chairs who were 20 years my senior reporting to me. is was definitely intimidating and made me wonder if I was appropriate for the role. However, I reminded myself that the senior leadership had asked me to step into the role and had overlooked the more senior physician leaders. I made sure that I was well equipped to excel in my new role. I also surrounded myself with a strong team of subject matter experts to support my work. What advice would you give to other women in healthcare facing impostor syndrome? Remind yourself that you were chosen for the role. Know your strengths and opportunities. Surround yourself with allies whose strengths compliment your opportunities. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable amongst the right people. Lisa Carter, MSN, RN. President of Ballad Health's Southern Region (Johnson City, Tenn.) Please share an instance when you felt impostor syndrome in your leadership role and how you overcame it. Impostor syndrome is an interesting dynamic that rears its head sometimes when least expected. It starts with self-doubt and can lead to a disempowering and sometimes paralyzing negative thought pattern if le unchecked. at hint of self-doubt comes from dynamics that most women have felt their entire lives. It's a comparative narrative trap that we oen culturally find ourselves in. To disarm it, I have worked to first recognize the negative conversations I'm having within myself, then purposefully change the narrative. What advice would you give to other women in healthcare facing impostor syndrome? ree simple words. You are enough. Realizing that, claiming that, and not allowing your mind to overpower the heart of who you are is critical. I challenge all the female leaders with one simple task. Say nice things to yourself. Takeisha Davis, MD. President and CEO of New Orleans East Hospital University Hospitals children's, women's facilities president to retire By Madeline Ashley P atti DePompei, RN, president of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's and UH MacDonald Women's hospitals and the Rainbow Babies and Children's Foundation chair in leadership and innovation, has shared plans to retire Jan. 1. The two Cleveland-based hospitals are part of Cleveland- based University Hospitals. Ms. DePompei has been with University Hospitals for more than 35 years and has helped grow the health system's infant, pediatric and young adult care through the UH Rainbow Babies and Children's brand, according to a University Hospitals statement shared with Becker's on June 5. During her time as president of the two hospitals, Ms. DePompei helped guide the opening of University Hospitals' UH Rainbow Ahuja Center for Women and Children in Cleveland and launch the Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's hospital. She also helped open the Quentin and Elisabeth Alexander Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UH Rainbow, develop the dental SMILE suite, PRISM vision clinic, mobile OB imaging program, and Jeannette and Frank Zagara Pediatric Specialty Clinic, and open the Steve and Loree Potash Women and Newborn Center at UH Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio. "During her more than 35 years at University Hospitals, Patti has served as a steadfast champion for eliminating healthcare disparities, improving the quality of maternal and infant care, and expanding pediatric and maternal services throughout the region," the release said. n

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