The necessary insecurity of leadership

The necessary insecurity of leadership

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

Years ago, I accepted a job even though I was told that the team I was to lead didn’t want me as their leader. During my tenure, I received anonymous threats to leave, as well as episodes of sabotage and unhelpful behavior. Despite this, I was convinced that I could win them over with my leadership skills. Instead of improved conditions, however, things got worse. It became clear that the team was just waiting for me to make a mistake. Like all leaders (and indeed all humans), I eventually did.

COVID Wars: Attack of the variants

COVID Wars: Attack of the variants

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

As an increasing portion of the global population continues to receive the COVID vaccine, public health experts, government officials, and healthcare professionals continue to monitor variants emerging around the world. With recent spikes of infections in India that have brought devastating death tolls and an overwhelmed healthcare system, it is clear that reaching the “end” of COVID and moving forward into a sense of normalcy will not be a straightforward process.

Organizational culture change as renovation, not demolition

Organizational culture change as renovation, not demolition

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

An organization’s “culture” is simply defined as the expected way to behave within an organization. Stated more simply, organizational culture is “the way things are done around here” (Deal & Kennedy, 2000). Culture is not written rules or guidelines, but rather the way we act and how we get work done. The values of a particular organizational culture are engrained into the life of the organization. When culture is found to be ineffective or, worse, toxic, leaders discover that it is extremely difficult to change.

A global pandemic calls for global response: The importance of equitable global vaccine distribution

A global pandemic calls for global response: The importance of equitable global vaccine distribution

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

According to the United Nations, 75% of all COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered among just 10 countries, while 130 countries have not received even a single dose of the vaccine, as of mid-February 2021 (Al Jazeera, 2021). Global health and political leaders have condemned this unbalanced distribution of vaccines and are taking action to ensure vaccine equity. Dr. Tebros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said in a recent address, “The world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure—and the price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the world’s poorest countries” (United Nations, 2021).

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Setting yourself up for success in a new leadership role

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Setting yourself up for success in a new leadership role

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

The uncertainty brought on by leadership transitions can be hard on employees and organizations (Keller & Meaney, 2017). Staff members wonder: Will the new leader understand the mission? What changes will they implement—and will that impact my ability to do my work and find fulfillment in this job?

But leadership transitions are tough on the incoming new leaders too. An IMD survey of 1350 HR professionals shows that transitions into new roles are the most difficult times in leaders’ professional lives (Watkins, Orlick, & Stehli, 2014). They face pressure to make a good impression, instill confidence in their selection across the organization, and perform the balancing act of learning about the company while attempting to shape it (Watkins, Orlick, & Stehli, 2014).

The first 30 days in a new role matter immensely, and can set the tone for a leader’s tenure in their organization.

Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

Monitoring the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

Next to clean water, no single intervention has had such a dramatic effect on decreasing mortality as has the widespread introduction of vaccines (Howson, Howe, & Fineberg, 1991). The World Health Organization (WHO) describes immunization as a “key component of primary health care and an indisputable human right,” as well as “one of the best health investments money can buy” (World Health Organization, 2020). Vaccines play a critical role in the prevention and management of the outbreak of infectious diseases. The rapid spread of COVID-19 during the months-long wait for a vaccine have highlighted their importance to public health.

Overcoming barriers to provide patient-centered care

Overcoming barriers to provide patient-centered care

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

The term "patient-centered care" is in vogue and utilized by health system administrators, marketing gurus, hospital staff, and clinicians alike. It's a catchy phrase that resonates with stakeholders, and it sounds like something every healthcare organization would heartily embrace. However, the heart of patient-centered care and its implications for how care is actually provided to patients is not well understood.

Managing the effects of pandemic-induced burnout among healthcare professionals

Managing the effects of pandemic-induced burnout among healthcare professionals

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, healthcare workers face unprecedented levels of stress, fear, and anxiety. Situations that trigger chronic stress have always been present within the important and weighty work of caring for patients, but routine stressors are now intensified by the serious risks of working on the frontlines of a pandemic. Together, this creates a perfect storm of heightened risk of burnout.

Management and Rehabilitation of Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

Management and Rehabilitation of Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

As a society, we have been enduring life in a pandemic for over half a year. Though we have been feeling the effects of COVID-19 for a long time, medically speaking the disease is still very new to us. It is important to remember that our knowledge is still developing regarding the virus and much remains unknown—specifically the long-term effects of the disease.

How to address inequality in healthcare

How to address inequality in healthcare

By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury

Population Health invokes an image of helping to improve the health of all within the community however even in recent years a large portion of the community are being further marginalized and failed on a daily basis and this systematic failure is leading to premature deaths and poor health outcomes. Black Lives Matter protests have emphasized the racial disparity evident within the United States and the western world. It’s an opportunity to look beyond the issues of law enforcement and examine one aspect of inequality and examine how Black, Indigenous and People of Colour are impacted by being treated differently within healthcare.