In this episode of Lead Change, Dr. Mary K. Mulcahey welcomes Dr. Erica Taylor, orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgeon, healthcare executive, educator, and entrepreneur, for an engaging conversation about purpose-driven leadership, organizational transformation, and creating meaningful, sustainable change.

Dr. Taylor shares her journey from practicing orthopaedic surgeon to Vice President of Health Equity for Duke Health Integrated Practice and Vice Chair for Culture, Engagement, and Impact in the Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She discusses how her leadership roles have allowed her to influence healthcare beyond individual patient encounters, focusing on improving access, quality, organizational culture, and opportunities for professional growth.

A central theme of the conversation is the distinction between generating enthusiasm for change and building the infrastructure necessary to sustain it. Dr. Taylor introduces the powerful concept that "buy-in is not the same as built-in," emphasizing that effective leaders must move beyond good intentions to develop systems, resources, and actionable strategies that translate vision into measurable progress. She illustrates this approach through her work at Duke and the development of the Orthopaedic Diversity Leadership Consortium, an organization that has grown from eight colleagues to more than 500 members.

Dr. Taylor also reflects on the importance of personal growth, sharing how pursuing her MBA helped her rediscover her strengths, expand her perspective, and align her career more closely with her purpose. She challenges traditional thinking about burnout, suggesting that fulfillment depends not simply on how we spend our time, but on whether our work aligns with our values and energizes us.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Taylor reinforces that leadership is not about titles, authority, or individual recognition. Rather, it is about using influence to elevate others, creating opportunities for people at every level of an organization, and building environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

The episode concludes with a powerful reflection on the foundational role of trust in leadership. Dr. Taylor reminds listeners that meaningful change requires strong relationships and credibility, and that leaders must invest in building trust before expecting others to embrace difficult truths.

Ultimately, this episode challenges listeners to think beyond simply managing change and instead lead change by creating the conditions that allow others to succeed and organizations to flourish.

In this episode of the Lead Change Podcast, Dr. Mary K. Mulcahey welcomes Dr. Doug Lundy, an accomplished orthopaedic trauma surgeon and healthcare leader whose career has spanned private practice, academic medicine, and leadership roles in several major orthopaedic organizations. Drawing on his experiences as President of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Dr. Lundy shares lessons about humility, accountability, strategic vision, and the importance of empowering others to succeed.

A central theme of the conversation is the importance of defining success beyond professional accomplishments and titles. Dr. Lundy challenges physicians and leaders to reflect intentionally on the impact they want to make throughout their careers, emphasizing four pillars of contribution: research, education, leadership, and charity. He shares how a personal health challenge prompted him to reevaluate his priorities and ultimately transition from a successful private practice leadership role to academic medicine, where he found renewed purpose in teaching and mentoring the next generation of surgeons.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Lundy highlights the value of surrounding yourself with people who bring different perspectives and strengths, putting organizational goals ahead of personal agendas, and recognizing that the most effective leaders create opportunities for others. He also explores the importance of taking risks, accepting failure as part of growth, and pursuing meaningful opportunities before they become missed chances. This episode offers a reminder that leadership is not simply about what we achieve, but about the people we empower, the impact we create, and the legacy we leave behind.

In this live episode of the Lead Change Podcast from AOSSM in Seattle, Dr. Mary Mulcahey is joined by sports medicine surgeons Drs. Mia Hagen, Justin Arner, and Drew Lansdown to reflect on their experience participating in the AOSSM–ESSKA Traveling Fellowship. The group discusses their varied clinical practices, their involvement with AOSSM, and what motivated them to pursue an immersive international experience in sports medicine.

The fellows describe traveling throughout Europe and learning directly from leaders in sports medicine through a combination of operative experiences, scientific exchange, research discussions, and cultural immersion. Their journey included stops in Amsterdam, Oslo, Brandenburg, Milan, Barcelona, and Lyon, with opportunities to observe different surgical approaches, healthcare systems, clinical practices, and research infrastructures. Just as important as the formal education were the relationships, hospitality, and conversations that developed along the way.

The conversation also explores the leadership lessons that emerged from seeing how accomplished surgeons intentionally build teams, structure clinical practices, create efficient operating environments, and develop successful research programs. Rather than simply learning what these leaders had accomplished, the fellows gained insight into how they built the systems and cultures that allowed those accomplishments to happen.

Ultimately, the episode highlights the transformative potential of leaving familiar surroundings, learning from different perspectives, investing in professional societies, and building relationships that extend beyond institutions and national borders. The closing discussion reinforces several broader leadership themes: the importance of visibility and representation, learning how to motivate and develop teams, and the idea that “preparation creates confidence”—whether in surgery, research, leadership, or any other professional opportunity.