From Medscape General Medicine™ Webcast Video Editorials Latino Physician Leaders: Led by the Spirit Posted 01/30/2006 Robert A. Beltran, MD, MBA, FACMQ, CHCQM What determines leadership? United States business history makes a compelling case that best leaders acquire the ability to understand the context they live in --and seize the opportunities their times present.[1] A central lesson for physician leaders is that context matters. Some of the greatest business victories of all time have resulted from managing according to the spirit of the time. Quality physician leaders will need to acquire the ability to read and adapt to the changing business conditions of medicine. Leadership is primarily an acquired set of learned skills: the ability to communicate, a grasp of the desires of a community, willingness to work long hours, passion, and the ability to understand a set of issues and react appropriately. Experience creates good judgment. Of course, experience comes from poor judgment, hence leaders must be able to master adversity. The "Zeitgeist theory of leadership" means leading according to the spirit of the time. This theory states that history and opportunities are the determinants of leaders rather than individual talents. Different places and times have unique requirements for their leaders. Leadership positions can be assumed only if the leaders' talents meet the requirements of a particular time period. Change is the only constant in today's healthcare marketplace. Latino physician leaders are poised to take advantage of their ability to understand the context they live in and to seize the opportunities their times present. Recent reports from the Institute of Medicine[2-4] and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality[5-7] create the contextual factors for a new generation of Latino physicians. Latino physicians applying the Zeitgeist leadership will become the best healthcare leaders for society. That's my opinion. I'm Dr. Robert Beltran, President of LatinoMed Policy Institute. Sign Up now for a free monthly email that brings you the top features from MedGenMed. Readers are encouraged to respond to George Lundberg, MD, Editor of MedGenMed, for the editor's eye only or for possible publication via email: glundberg@medscape.net References Mayo A, Nohria N. Zeitgeist leadership. Harvard Business Rev. 2005:45-60. Institute of Medicine. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 2006. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=5432 Accessed January 19, 2006. Institute of Medicine. To Err Is Human: Building A Safer Health System. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 2006. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=5575 Accessed January 19, 2006. Institute of Medicine. Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 2006. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=4475 Accessed January 19, 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2004 National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR). Available at: http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/qualityreport/download/download_report.aspx Accessed January 19, 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2004 National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR). Available at: http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/disparitiesreport/download/download_report.aspx Accessed January 19, 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Fact sheet: 30 safe practices for better health care. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/30safe.htm Accessed January 19, 2006.

Robert A. Beltran, MD, MBA, FACMQ, CHCQM, President, LatinoMed Policy Institute, Los Alamitos, California. Email: medicalquality@msn.com Disclosure: Robert A. Beltran, MD, MBA, FACMQ, CHCQM, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

LatinoMed Journal

“Where can one find the most up to date information on Latino Health, Health Policy and Advocacy?”, is a commonly heard question by public and private healthcare organizations.

Look no further. A new magazine that captures the business of medicine and health in the growing Latino Community will be coming soon. LatinoMed Journal will capture the pulse of the cutting edge issues in health policy, health communications, leadership, advocacy, medical/legal, medicine and health that dynamically exist in the Latino population today and in the future.

Bringing together the best and brightest minds in Latino Health Affairs is no simple undertaking. This is why the capital, intellectual and relationship resources of two outstanding organizations are diligently working on producing the magazine.

California Magazine is the publisher of the highly respected public policy magazine- “The Latino Journal.” After realizing market share and visibility in its local market in Sacramento, President/CEO of California Magazine, Jose Perez began discussions with Latino health experts to assess and understand the communication gap which exist in Latino Health Affairs.

Several years ago these discussions found there way to an organization called Latino Med Policy Institute. This healthcare and medical management company has over 90 years of combined experience and expertise in Latino Health Affairs. President of the Institute, Dr. Robert Beltran, shared Jose vision and mission to bridge this communication gap in Latino Health Affairs present in the healthcare industry.

A natural and synergistic catalyst between both entities and individuals was born in the creation of the magazine LatinoMed Journal.

In concept and reality, the magazine will be the coordinator and integrator of discussions and conversations related to Latino Health, Health Policy and Advocacy focused on improving the quality and level of health services for Latinos in the United States.

The components to these discussions will come from the business and medical leaders struggling with the challenges of providing health services to the largest ethnic community in the United States.

Opinions and perspectives will be gathered locally, regionally and nationally from the multiple specialties in the medical and business profession that impact the Latino community.

This large undertaking will require the resources and support of private and public enterprises. As a consequence the magazine is supported by a non-profit foundation with a corporate advisory board that includes affiliate and associate members.

Our web addresses will soon be operational at www.latinomedjournal.com and www.latinomedpolicyinstitute.com .

Working towards becoming the healthcare industry equivalent of Time Magazine or Business Week is never easy but always exciting and challenging.

In this regards we welcome your support and participation as we launch the first issue of LatinoMed Journal in the Fall of 2005.

Sincerely

Robert A. Beltran, M.D., M.B.A.,FACMQ, CHCQM

President

Latino Med Policy Institute

Editor, LatinoMed Journal

Jose Perez

President/CEO

California Magazine

Publisher, LatinoMed Journal