Impactful Leaders Podcast | Exchanging a White Coat for a Suit: Brian Erling, MD, MBA
As is true for many physician executives, Dr. Brian Erling’s transition from “white coat to suit” was not easy but has been extremely rewarding. While...
As is true for many physician executives, Dr. Brian Erling’s transition from “white coat to suit” was not easy but has been extremely rewarding. While no longer practicing, he leverages his clinical expertise every day as President and CEO of Nevada-based Renown Health. “You don’t walk away completely from medicine when you become an administrator,” he says. “You can wear both hats and you can do it effectively.”
Dr. Erling’s experience as an emergency room physician informs his leadership. For one thing, it allowed him to interact with and gain an appreciation for the entire spectrum of medical specializations. “It helps me with urgency, too,” he says. “As an ER doc you don’t need every piece of information to make a decision.” On the downside, he has had to overcome impatience and wanting to get everything “tied up in a bow” at the end of the day. Leadership requires “letting things brew” and seeking longer-term solutions.
In this Impactful Leaders Podcast conversation with WittKieffer Senior Partners Nelson Mann and Michelle Johnson, Dr. Erling looks back upon his leadership journey – back to his time as a nursing assistant in high school to his current role helping to turn Renown’s fortunes around. Continuous learning has been a common thread for him, including pursuing an MBA degree. “There’s almost a stigma that . . . clinical leaders are not business people, that we can’t make the tough decisions,” he says. The MBA “was tangible for me. It wasn’t just letters after my name.”
They then discuss the future of Renown and healthcare, for which Dr. Erling is an unbridled optimist. His advice for other leaders is to ensure whatever they pursue aligns with their personal values and mission.
“What excites you?” he asks them. “What’s going to fill your cup?”
Enjoy their conversation.
