Chief of Endoscopy: Specific challenges to leading the team and running the unit

Abstract Healthcare organizations have recognized the value of physician leaders in change management and achieving institutional goals. Physicians leaders are now at all levels from individual clinics to the very top of large, multi-hospital organizations. Most endoscopy units have medical directors and organizations with multiple or large, complex units often have a “Chief of Endoscopy” (CoE) or the equivalent of this to oversee and lead the teams and decisions pertaining to these units. The following review will discuss the process to become a CoE, the importance of aligning personal values and skills with organizational purpose and will give suggestions for relevant metrics to success. It will also explore the challenges faced by women in endoscopy leadership positions and will give advice to women leaders and those who support her as mentors, colleagues, or partners. Although much of the discussion is intentionally focused on high-level endoscopy leadership, the information and messages have pertinence to any organizational leadership position and to leaders at any point in their leadership pathway.