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Becoming the Physician Leader I Always Wanted to Be

Published on: Aug 1, 2024

NATIVE CONTENT ADVERTORIAL | Brought to you by: CenterWell

Leadership and professional development opportunities at Conviva Care Center

empower physicians while cultivating a patient-centered care environment.

To learn more about careers at Conviva Care Center and CenterWell Senior Primary Care,

please visit ConvivaCareers.com or CenterWellCareers.com
 


I'm Dr. Lee Epstein, market chief medical officer for Conviva Care Center in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast of Florida. As an aspiring physician, I knew I wanted to work in a place that would support my goals and meet the needs of its patients. Choosing to pursue a career at Conviva Care Center has been pivotal in realizing my aspirations as both a physician and a leader. It is also where I learned that not all primary care organizations are created equal.

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Lee Epstein, D.O., Market Chief Medical Officer, Conviva Care Center, Palm Beach and Treasure Coast

My Professional Journey
My career began in my residency’s outpatient clinic, which would eventually evolve into a Conviva Care Center location, part of the Primary Care Organization that also includes CenterWell Senior Primary Care. This is where I first experienced the influence value-based care can have on patient outcomes and physician satisfaction, and where I realized that this approach to care was the best fit for my personal ethos.

During my time as a physician at Conviva, I have benefited from smaller, more manageable patient panels and extended time with patients – up to 50% more time at each visit – which isn’t always guaranteed at other primary care clinics. Conviva and CenterWell also employ a team-based approach that incorporates nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, pharmacists, nurse care coordinators and behavioral health specialists to help improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Combined with smaller patient panel sizes, this team-based approach allows me proper time to prepare for a patient’s visit, review diagnostics with patients, and fully understand their personal health and lifestyle goals. It’s exceptionally rewarding as a physician and drives me to deliver the best care possible, and for patients, these components of the value-based model have contributed to better outcomes, such as fewer inpatient admissions, fewer ER visits and more affordable care.

My dedication and performance as a primary care physician helped me obtain a promotion to physician lead early in my career, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the organizational structure and support system that is in place at Conviva. As a physician lead, I oversaw multiple centers, helping mentor providers and ensure our patients received consistent, high-quality care. This experience gave me the skillset to transition into the role of Associate Medical Director, responsible for a higher number of centers, providers and patients.

When the position of market Chief Medical Officer became available, my senior leaders and I agreed that stepping into this role would be beneficial not only for my career, but also for the cultivation of future leaders in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast markets. This transition was a natural progression, facilitated by Conviva's commitment to empowering physicians to achieve their goals.

It Takes a Village
The mentorship I received throughout my career was instrumental in realizing my potential as a physician and a leader. During my time in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast markets, leaders like Bill Russell, M.D., Division CMO for Conviva and CenterWell in Florida, and Barbara Ceuleers, Vice President of Operations for Conviva, taught me the importance of being an honest, transparent leader who will do everything possible to help improve patients’ lives and embody the mission behind the value-based model: accountability for treating the “whole person.”

This dedication to patient care delivery that treats the “whole person” includes caring not only for their physical and mental health, but also addressing environmental factors that influence health. We want patients to leave our clinics feeling supported both physically and emotionally. That is why our teams work to create an environment where patients feel that their health is our top priority. And my organization delivers this mission back to their staff as well, ensuring that the entire care team prioritizes their own holistic well-being through things like flexible scheduling for patients and personal time off, a continuing education allowance, and a rewards program that helps provider build healthier habits.

As a way of “passing the torch” to future Conviva leaders, I strive to equip our physicians with the same resources and knowledge I received. I recognize that this success is not only their own, but also the success of those providers they lead, as well as the patients for whom they are ultimately responsible.

How Conviva and CenterWell Can Elevate Careers
The leadership team knows that professional development beyond mentorship is also essential to the success of Conviva and CenterWell, as satisfied and well-informed physicians return the best care back to their patients. That is why our leadership regularly conducts talent reviews to identify future leaders and determine how best to support their growth within the organization.

Conviva and CenterWell offer continuous learning opportunities to its staff, including monthly continuing medical education activities, leadership training and informative lectures. In the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast markets, the lectures offered focus heavily on senior health and are followed by engaging discussions. These sessions are led by board-certified geriatricians and provide updates on advancements in senior primary care.

Reflecting on My Path
These learning opportunities, combined with mentorship from leaders in my organization, have been invaluable in my professional development, providing me with insights and advice that have shaped my journey. For anyone seeking a fulfilling career in health care, I encourage you to explore the opportunities at Conviva and CenterWell. You will find a supportive, dynamic environment where you can make a significant impact on patient care while advancing your career aspirations.

To learn more about careers at Conviva Care Center and CenterWell Senior Primary Care,
please visit ConvivaCareers.com or CenterWellCareers.com


NATIVE CONTENT ADVERTORIAL | Brought to you by: CenterWell