By Gianluca Cerri, MD

Leadership in healthcare isn’t just about titles or positions—it’s about guiding teams, advocating for patients, and making decisions that can change lives. Over the course of my twenty years as an Emergency Medicine physician and healthcare leader, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse professionals, facing countless challenges, and learning many invaluable lessons. Leadership, particularly in the ever-evolving field of medicine, is not something you inherit; it’s something you continuously cultivate through experience, self-reflection, and growth.

The Early Years: Lessons in Humility

When I first began my journey as a physician, I assumed that leadership was something one achieved after years of work, through title or rank. I quickly learned, however, that leadership starts at every level, long before formal roles are conferred. In my years as an intern and resident at Louisiana State University, where I later served as Chief Resident, I witnessed firsthand how even the most junior member of a team could influence outcomes through simple, yet effective acts of leadership—whether it was double-checking a patient’s chart, advocating for more time with a difficult case, or supporting a colleague during an exhausting shift.

These experiences taught me that humility is at the heart of leadership. Being a good leader doesn’t mean you always have the right answers. Instead, it’s about recognizing when you don’t, and knowing how to listen, ask questions, and lean on the expertise of others. In those early days, I learned that leadership is about trusting and respecting the input of those around you, from nurses to technicians, and understanding that the best outcomes often arise from collaboration.

Growing as a Leader: Embracing Adaptability

As I transitioned into more specialized roles, including my Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, I realized just how important adaptability is in healthcare leadership. In Emergency Medicine, you can go from treating a patient with a minor injury one moment to managing a multi-trauma case the next. This constant unpredictability requires leaders to be flexible and quick-thinking, without losing sight of the broader picture.

Early in my career, I believed that strong leadership meant making fast, confident decisions. While decisiveness is often essential, I learned that adaptability is just as important—especially in complex, high-stakes environments like the emergency department. As leaders, we need to adjust not only to the clinical situation but also to the emotional needs of our patients and our teams. There were times when I had to shift my focus from the medical aspect of a case to the emotional support of a grieving family. Leadership requires reading the room, understanding the varying needs of those you serve, and adjusting your approach in real-time.

Leading Through Crisis: The Value of Calm and Composure

Few things test leadership more than crisis situations, and as an Emergency Medicine physician, crisis is part of the daily routine. In my roles as an AEMS Director and Flight Physician, where I was responsible for critical decisions made under extreme pressure, I discovered that maintaining calm in the midst of chaos is one of the most powerful leadership tools.

During high-stress situations, everyone in the room looks to the leader for reassurance. Panic is contagious, but so is calm. I recall one particular night when we had multiple trauma patients come into the ER simultaneously. The entire team was stretched thin, and anxiety levels were high. At that moment, I knew my role as a leader wasn’t just to manage the medical care—it was to set the emotional tone for the team. I remained composed, directed traffic efficiently, and kept communication clear. As a result, we worked smoothly and efficiently, and every patient received the care they needed.

This experience solidified my belief that a leader’s emotional composure can be as critical as their clinical skills. In moments of high stress, the team doesn’t just need technical guidance—they need emotional stability. A leader who can remain steady in the face of uncertainty helps the entire team perform at their best.

The Importance of Continuous Learning and Self-Reflection

Even after two decades in medicine, I believe one of the most important traits in a leader is the willingness to continue learning. Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, with new technologies, treatments, and best practices emerging regularly. As someone with a keen interest in the intersection of healthcare and technology, I’ve always been excited by innovation. But staying updated on the latest advancements isn’t just about being tech-savvy—it’s about setting an example for others to follow. A leader must demonstrate that learning never stops, whether it’s in terms of medical knowledge, leadership strategies, or self-improvement.

Self-reflection plays a crucial role in that learning process. After particularly challenging shifts or complex cases, I take time to reflect on my decisions, assess what went well, and, more importantly, what could have been done better. I often find that my most valuable leadership lessons come from moments where I didn’t get everything right. Those are the moments that teach humility, resilience, and the importance of evolving as both a physician and a leader.

Empowering Others: The True Measure of Leadership

One of the most rewarding aspects of leadership in healthcare is the ability to empower others. Leadership is not just about the individual at the helm; it’s about lifting others so that they, too, can lead. Whether mentoring young residents, fostering teamwork in the emergency department, or guiding paramedics in critical scenarios, I’ve come to understand that a true leader builds future leaders.

Empowering others means creating an environment where people feel valued, respected, and capable of contributing their best. It means fostering a culture of open communication, where every team member, regardless of rank or experience, feels comfortable speaking up. This approach doesn’t just improve outcomes for patients; it also strengthens the entire team.

Looking Ahead: Leadership as a Lifelong Journey

Leadership in healthcare is a constantly evolving journey. Every patient encounter, every challenge, every triumph offers new lessons. After twenty years on the frontlines, I’ve learned that being a leader is not about having all the answers but about guiding others through the complexities of patient care with empathy, adaptability, and integrity. Most importantly, it’s about staying committed to growth—for yourself, your team, and the patients who rely on you. As healthcare continues to evolve, so too must our approach to leadership. Only by doing so can we truly serve those in need while cultivating the next generation of leaders.