Should You Consider Being A Chief Medical Officer?

In this episode, I talk about something many physicians think about but don’t always say out loud: should you see yourself as a Chief Medical Officer? Not necessarily as a title, but as a mindset. We were never really taught to think this way in training. We’re taught to take care of patients, not to lead systems. But at some point, if you’ve been in practice long enough, you start to realize that the bigger impact comes from shaping how care is delivered, not just delivering it yourself. In this conversation, we break down what the CMO role actually looks like, what it demands, and why more physicians, especially those who feel stuck or underutilized, should at least consider stepping into leadership. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve ever felt like you have more to offer than just the clinical work in front of you, this might resonate.

Elsie Koh, MD EMHL

Dr. Elsie Koh, MD, MHL, FSIR, is the Chief Medical Officer of American Endovascular & Amputation Prevention, where she leads a mission focused on preventing amputations through advanced, minimally invasive, image-guided care for patients with critical limb ischemia. She has built her career at the intersection of clinical excellence, innovation, and practice growth in the outpatient setting.

But her work extends far beyond the procedure room. Dr. Koh is the founder of LEAD Physician®, a leadership and career development program designed for physicians who know they are capable of more but are at a crossroads. Many of the physicians she works with feel unfulfilled, distracted, or uncertain about their next step. Through her framework, she helps them gain clarity, think differently about their careers, and develop the leadership and business skills that traditional training never taught.

Her focus is not just on advancement, but on alignment. Helping physicians move from feeling stuck to building careers that are intentional, impactful, and deeply fulfilling.

Explore more at www.LEADPhysician.org.