2026 Signal Awards Finalist • Vote for Listener’s Choice by October 15 →
The Fire Chief

The Fire Chief

The Chief Medical Officer Podcast

Lead with confidence in the heat of healthcare.

Practical conversations for physician executives and aspiring CMOs on leading physicians, shaping strategy, and navigating the challenges of executive leadership.

Hosted by Dr. Lee Scheinbart · 80+ episodes

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A conversation worth recognizing.

“How Do You Build Relationships?” from The Fire Chief has been named a 2026 Signal Awards finalist in Thought Leadership.

We’re honored by this recognition—and grateful to everyone who listens. Special thanks to our guest, Robert Roncska, for being part of this conversation.

Help us bring home the Listener’s Choice Award by casting your vote by October 15, 2026.

Vote for Listener’s Choice → Listen to the Episode →

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Recent Episodes

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Why Is Physician Credentialing Still So Difficult?
84
Oct. 13, 2026

Why Is Physician Credentialing Still So Difficult?

In this dynamic episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Victor Vargas, physician executive, retired U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, and founder and CEO of CrediSync. Drawing on lessons from military medicine, special operations, and his own journey into physician executive leadership, Victor explores how a relentless focus on mission and systems improvement shaped the way he approaches one of healthcare’s most persistent administrative challenges: physician credentialing.

Lee and Victor exam
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How Can CMOs Put Mission Back Ahead of Margin?
82
Sept. 29, 2026

How Can CMOs Put Mission Back Ahead of Margin?

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Sheri Mancini, surgeon, physician advisor, U.S. Navy veteran, and author of Healthcare as Infrastructure: A Constitutional Approach to Reform. Drawing on more than two decades inside the healthcare system, Sheri challenges leaders to consider whether healthcare has drifted away from its fundamental mission—and what it would mean to treat healthcare as essential national infrastructure rather than ordinary commerce. Lee and Sh
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How Should We Teach Physicians to Lead?
81
Sept. 15, 2026

How Should We Teach Physicians to Lead?

In this forward-looking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Matthew Mazurek, physician leader, medical educator, and co-editor of Systems Thinking for Physician Leaders. Drawing on his work in leadership, professionalism, and medical education, Matt challenges the traditional approach of expecting physicians to learn leadership informally through experience and mentorship alone. Lee and Matt explore how leadership education could be intentionally incorporated into medical school and res
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How Can CMOs Build Trust From the Inside Out?
80
Sept. 1, 2026

How Can CMOs Build Trust From the Inside Out?

In this thought-provoking episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Jess Bunin, retired U.S. Army colonel, physician leader, executive coach, and author of From the Inside Out: How Self-Aware Leaders Build Trust and Transform Healthcare. Drawing on her experiences in military medicine, medical education, and healthcare leadership, Jess explores why building trust with others must first begin with understanding ourselves. Lee and Jess examine the relationship between self-awareness, trust, and
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How Do You Manage The "Difficult" Physician?
79
Aug. 18, 2026

How Do You Manage The "Difficult" Physician?

In this insightful episode, host Dr. Lee Scheinbart interviews Dr. Anne Hirsch, certified physician coach and expert in physician professionalism and behavioral concerns. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and extensive experience with physician peer review, Dr. Hirsch challenges leaders to look beyond the label of the “difficult physician” and understand what may actually be driving problematic behaviors. Lee and Anne explore how stress, burnout, communication styles, and a lack of self-a
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How Do Great Leaders Make High-Stakes Decisions?
78
Aug. 4, 2026

How Do Great Leaders Make High-Stakes Decisions?

In this compelling episode, host Lee Scheinbart interviews Colonel Michael Kloepper, Director of Leader Development and Character at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Drawing on decades of experience leading soldiers in combat and developing future military leaders, Colonel Kloepper shares timeless leadership principles that translate remarkably well to healthcare and physician leadership. Lee and Mike explore how effective leaders make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty, the role o
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Meet Your Host: Dr. Lee Scheinbart

Dr. Lee Scheinbart is a physician executive, former Chief Medical Officer, and educator focused on physician leadership. On The Fire Chief, he brings experienced leaders into practical conversations about the decisions, relationships, and pressures that shape healthcare leadership.

About Lee and the Podcast

Recent Blog Posts

The Fire Chief Named a 2026 Signal Awards Finalist
Sept. 29, 2026

The Fire Chief Named a 2026 Signal Awards Finalist

“How Do You Build Relationships?” has been named a finalist in the 5th Annual Signal Awards in the Individual Episodes — Genre — Thought Leadership category. In this episode of The Fire Chief, Dr. Lee Scheinbart speaks with retired U.S. Navy submar…
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Reviews

Exceptional podcast

"As a new CMO, I am so thrilled to have found this wonderful podcast. The episodes have excellent information with examples, and share philosophy on "how one thinks" as a CMO. The content can help to …"

tweetrider | March 4, 2026

A must listen for CMOs

"Great information and Dr. Scheinbart is a skilled interviewer. Love the variety of pertinent topics. Always stimulates thought and ideas. I never miss this podcast."

Tom S in Florida | June 13, 2026

Highly Recommend!

"Dr. Scheinbart understands the most pressing matters in healthcare, and the value of physician leadership in addressing them. He doesn’t shy away from the tough questions, which makes the discussions…"

VidPrak | Aug. 21, 2026
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