This week, host and Jarrard Inc. President Anne Hancock Toomey interviews Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, of Houston Methodist. Dr. Schaal serves as Executive VP and Chief Physician Executive, Houston Methodist; President and Chief Executive Officer, Houston Methodist Physician Organization; Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Houston Methodist Academic Institute; and Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell College of Medicine.
Dr. Schaal is an accomplished ophthalmologist, retinal surgeon, researcher and executive, but her life and passions extend far beyond the lab and operating room. In this conversation, we hear about her inspiring journey from growing up as a child in Israel to moving to the United States. She describes how a young leader influenced her life immeasurably and how her trepidation around water turned into a first job as a lifeguard and, ultimately, influenced her career.
The conversation dives into her transformative role leading the UMass Chan Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (read the case study here), and her current focus on physician well-being at Houston Methodist.
Dr. Schaal also emphasizes the importance of role models, mentorship, and intentional investment in professional development, offering insightful advice for aspiring women leaders in healthcare.
Episode Highlights
- 02:35 – Growing up in Israel
- 05:09 – First job as a lifeguard and early influential leader
- 08:11 – Journey into Medicine and Ophthalmology
- 10:56 – Moving to the United States
- 14:19 – Turning Around UMass Ophthalmology Department
- 22:56 – Transition to Houston Methodist
- 25:23 – Focusing on Physician Wellbeing
- 29:39 – Elevating Women in Healthcare Leadership
- 34:06 – Balancing Career and Personal Life
- 36:18 – Characteristics of Effective Leaders
- 40:05 – Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts
