WALTHAM – The Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation, a supporting organization of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), has received a $75,000 grant from The Physicians Foundation that will provide support for a physician
leadership program designed by the Medical Society and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. The Program will be directed by Professor Jon Chilingerian, Ph.D., and taught by Brandeis faculty.
This physician leadership program, entitled “Training Physician Leaders to Advance a More Just Workplace,” is designed to provide current and future physician leaders, particularly underrepresented and female physicians, with strategies and skills to
enhance their ability to lead and influence individuals within their organizations while meeting business priorities.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Medical Society asserted by an organizational policy that racism is a public health crisis. The declaration led to the drafting of the MMS’s Antiracism Action Plan, which included a commitment to providing education and training as one of the underlying principles to create the structural and systemic change necessary for achieving
equity in health care and in the health care workforce.
Physicians need skills in leading and, collaborating with teams, identifying, and managing conflicts, coaching and providing feedback, addressing racism and health care inequities within their organizations and in health care, and effectively communicating
with patients and colleagues.
“The Foundation is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for this program,” said Dr. Lee Perrin, chair of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation. “Research has found that physicians of color are more likely to treat patients
of color and practice in underserved communities, thus increasing access to care for many, including those most vulnerable.”
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant from The Physicians Foundation, and we understand fully the need to intensify the focus on the diversity of leadership in health care as a primary means to mitigate disparities,” said Dr. Ted Calianos,
president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. “As an institution, medicine has for too long fallen woefully short in being a reflection of the diversity of its patient populations, but an influx of leaders from underrepresented communities will
be an important step in building momentum for meaningful and sustainable change.”
“We feel privileged and are very grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with our long-term partners, the Massachusetts Medical Society, on this new and innovative program,” Chilingerian said. “Our mission at the Heller School is Knowledge Advancing Social Justice.
For nearly 30 years, we have been strongly committed to social justice in the workplace and equally committed to training physician leaders in the science of medicine and management when implementing social change. This program was designed to address
both issues.”
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About The Massachusetts Medical Society & Alliance Foundation
The Massachusetts Medical Society & Alliance Foundation is a supporting organization of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the statewide association of physicians, and the MMS Alliance, the organization of physicians' spouses, physicians, medical students, partners, and friends committed to advancing the health and well-being of the family of medicine. The foundation’s mission is to support the charitable and educational activities of the Society and Alliance and address issues affecting the health, benefit, and welfare of the community.
About The Massachusetts Medical Society
The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of the NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Catalyst, and the NEJM Journal Watch family of specialty publications, and through our education products for health care professionals: NEJM Knowledge+, NEJM Resident 360, and our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.
About The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University
Heller is an internationally renowned social policy school and research institution at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1959, Heller offers a Ph.D. in social policy and six master’s degree programs. The Heller School consistently ranks among the nation’s top graduate schools of public affairs by U.S. News & World Report. For 2023, Heller is ranked 8th for health policy and management and 10th for social policy. The EMBA Physician Program is ranked among the best EMBA programs in the United States by the International Business Times. Heller scholars conduct approximately $20 million a year in sponsored research at nine research centers and institutes, covering policy areas such as economic and racial equity, disability policy, health and behavioral health, and children, youth, and family policy. Learn more at heller.brandeis.edu.
About The Physicians Foundation
The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org.
