Empowering physician leaders: UPMC’s breakthrough leadership development programme

Author's Biography

Martina Bison-Huckaby , MBA, ACC, SHRM-SCP, sHRBP, is an executive development professional and ICF-certified leadership coach with 25 years of diverse leadership experience, ranging from international sales administration of animated and live action films to higher education, forensic and healthcare management. She joined University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) at the end of 2018 to spearhead leadership development initiatives for its physicians. Martina also serves on the Board of the National Forensic Science Academy. Previously, Martina was the Director of the Center for Executive Education and the Forensic Management Academy at WVU College of Business and Economics, responsible for corporate and executive development programmes, including those within the healthcare industry. Martina also worked for CLG, Inc. (The Continuous Learning Group, now renamed ALULA), a global behaviour-based management consulting company headquartered in Pittsburgh, and for SABAN Entertainment/Fox Kids Worldwide. She is originally from Venice, Italy, and came to the United States to attend The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an exchange student.

Ashley Southworth , sHRBP, is Senior Learning Coordinator, Physician Learning and Development, for UPMC with over ten years of experience in education. She joined UPMC in 2019 to support the operations and logistics of leadership development initiatives for physicians.

Alexandra Kortz , sHRBP, is a Learning Associate who joined UPMC in June 2022 after graduating with a bachelor of science in business administration and a minor in leadership development. She joined the Physician Learning and Development team to support operations and logistics — primarily spending time with the Physician Leadership Essentials programme and overall team data collection.

Christine Hughes , MBA, ACC, sHRBP, is a professionally trained and certified coach and leadership development expert. She joined UPMC in January 2023 to continue the work of Physician Learning and Development. Christine is responsible for creating new content and facilitating physician leadership sessions. Previously, she spent 29 years at Duquesne University as business consultant, working with over 1,500 entrepreneurs in southwestern Pennsylvania, a career coach for graduate students, manager of executive education and adjunct faculty member teaching in both the undergraduate and graduate school of business.

Heather Reading is an HR professional with over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry. In her current role, Heather is responsible for overseeing a team of HR professionals and managing a wide range of HR responsibilities, including talent acquisition strategy and employee and physician relations activities. Heather also partners with Physician THRIVE, the UPMC physician well-being committee, and physician learning and development on programmes for her physician colleagues. Prior to assuming this role, she served in several other HR roles at UPMC, advising leaders on a variety of subjects.