Dr. Patrick Frias is a truly unique leader with a truly unique story. Today, he is wrapping up his tenure as Co-President and Chief Executive Officer of Rady Children’s Health before heading back to his old stomping grounds in Georgia to lead Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
In episode 209 of the Backstory, Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Dr. Frias about how he became who he is today and the way he thinks about leadership. co-CEO of Rady Children’s Health, noting that after their recording he was announced as the next leader of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He was born in Chile, raised in Gainesville, Fla., and finished college in Nebraska as a theology major before heading off to medical school to become a pediatric cardiologist.
Along the way, he learned from – and was deeply supported by – his family during some tough childhood years. He also learned how to treat people thanks to an early job pumping gas at a local Mobile station.
Today, he leads by focusing on mission and people first, and in this conversation he and Anne talk about:
- How to stay grounded and steady through both success and adversity
- The importance of surrounding yourself with talented people and empowering them to lead
- Leading with humility, empathy and a clear sense of purpose, especially in a complex world like healthcare
Episode Highlights
- 1:57 Roots in Chile and Florida
- 3:42 Bullying and Empathy
- 4:29 First Jobs
- 6:27 Creighton, Theology and Pediatric Cardiology
- 11:41 Atlanta Career and Leadership Rise
- 15:07 Healthcare Leadership Realities
- 17:26 Becoming Rady CEO
- 24:55 Merger Mission and Stakeholders
- 30:13 Leadership Traits and Growth Edge
- 32:07 Lightning Round
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