The Inside View: A Coaching Conversation with Client Dr. Reema Padia

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman welcomes her first guest, Dr. Reema Padia, a pediatric otolaryngologist at the University of Utah and Associate Professor in her seventh year of practice.

Dr. Padia shares her experience transitioning to a new institution, stepping into leadership, and navigating promotion while balancing family life and personal goals. Together, they explore how coaching can support early- and mid-career physicians in building national presence, strengthening leadership skills, and creating a career that feels both meaningful and sustainable.

No need to take notes—check out the Blog for a summary of these insights.

If you are interested in coaching for physicians in the first 10 years of practice—whether individually or at the department level—DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email me at [email protected] .

My mission is to help you build clarity, momentum, and a personalized path to your version of success in academic medicine.

Join us to intentionally shape your career.

Key Points:

1. Introduction & Career Background (0:00 – 1:00)

• Introduction of Dr. Reema Padia

• Pediatric otolaryngologist at University of Utah

• Seventh year of practice, Associate Professor

• Transitioned institutions and stepped into leadership

2. Transitioning Institutions & Taking on Leadership (1:00 – 3:00)

• Moving across the country with two children

• New department, new leadership role

• Leading an established team as the “new person”

• Recognizing the need for support during major transitions

3. Building Trust as a New Leader (3:00 – 4:30)

• Balancing vision with humility

• Avoiding the urge to “change everything” immediately

• Focusing on relationship-building and trust

• Positioning herself as the “glue” rather than the disruptor

4. From Broad Emails to Targeted Conversations (4:30 – 6:30)

• Why “Let me know if you’re interested” often fails

• The power of one-on-one conversations

• Asking concrete, directed questions

• Creating buy-in through personal connection

5. Creating Structure: Retreats & Program Growth (5:00 – 6:30)

• Launching a vascular anomalies program retreat

• Scaling ideas realistically (lunch-hour retreat vs. grand event)

• Generating feedback with focused questions

• Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration

6. Surgical Coaching & Interdepartmental Coaching (6:30 – 9:30)

• Partnering with University of Colorado for resident coaching

• Benefits of cross-institutional coaching

• Psychological safety for residents

• What surgical coaching is and how it works

• Coaching focused on efficiency, communication, and teaching

7. Bringing Coaching to the Department Level (9:30 – 12:30)

• Why coaching isn’t just about promotion

• Accountability and implementation

• Faculty across career stages benefiting from coaching

• Strengthening academic alignment and shared goals

8. Expanding National Presence (11:30 – 13:00)

• Strategies for increasing visibility

• Committee involvement and academic networking

• Connecting with colleagues across subspecialties

• Coaching across the lifespan of academic medicine

9. Coaching Beyond Promotion (13:30 – 16:00)

• Coaching is not therapy—it’s forward-focused

• Individualized goal-setting

• Consistency and cadence (monthly vs. twice monthly sessions)

• The importance of accountability

10. Boundaries, Priorities & Work-Life Integration (16:00 – 18:30)

• Moving away from arbitrary promotion timelines

• Choosing activities aligned with genuine interest

• Letting go of “CV padding”

• Fully engaging in family time without guilt

11. Identity Outside of Medicine (18:30 – 19:30)

• Joining an adult recreational soccer league

• Building friendships outside of work

• Reclaiming personal identity beyond physician and parent

12. Setting Ambitious Personal Goals (19:00 – 19:45)

• Training for a Half Ironman

• Bringing colleagues along for the journey

• Modeling enjoyment and shared growth

13. Final Advice: Enjoy the Process (20:00 – 21:00)

• Avoiding arbitrary timelines

• Focusing on meaningful goals

• Enjoying leadership rather than rushing through it

• Buy-in grows when people see authentic investment

14. Closing Thoughts (21:00 – End)

• Growth in leadership communication

• Building momentum through small shifts

• Invitation to connect and explore coaching

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If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please:

● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach
● Message me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching 
● Email me at [email protected] 
● Contact me at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome