Episode 13: Dr. Nancy Spector Why Leadership Development Matters at Every Career Stage

About this episode

Dr. Nancy Spector discusses the importance of leadership development at all career stages in medicine.

In this episode of Lead Change, host Mary K. Mulcahey, MD sits down with Dr. Nancy Spector, Professor of Pediatrics and Senior Vice Dean for Faculty at Drexel University College of Medicine, and Executive Director of the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) and Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) programs. Dr. Spector shares her leadership journey—from her roots as a pediatrician and chief resident to becoming a nationally recognized leader in faculty development, equity, mentoring, and systems-level change. She reflects on formative moments in her career, including the importance of mentorship, peer support, and leadership training early and throughout one’s professional life. The conversation explores the origins and evolution of ELAM, its mission to transform leadership at the highest levels of academic medicine, and its shift from “fixing women” to fixing systems. Dr. Spector discusses inclusive leadership, allyship, infrastructure-building, and the necessity of preparing leaders to manage and lead effectively amid ongoing uncertainty. Throughout the episode, Dr. Spector emphasizes purpose-driven leadership, strategic patience, and the power of creating…

People in this episode

Host: Mary K. Mulcahey

Guest: Dr. Nancy Spector

Topics covered

• leadership development
• mentorship
• academic medicine
• inclusive leadership
• career stages
• systems-level change

Keywords

• leadership
• mentorship
• academic medicine
• career development
• inclusive leadership
• peer support
• health care

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Drexel University College of Medicine, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH)

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