CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TRAINING!
Carla White Holder, MD, MPH, FAAP; Medical Director, Centene Corporation
Highlight your professional history/journey of how you chose medicine. My love for science as a young student blossomed into a desire to pursue a career in medicine to serve those who are underrepresented in our society. As I matured, I became driven to use my love for science and medicine to make a difference in my community and beyond. I accomplished this goal by being the hardest working general pediatrician that I could be for over 20 years until I decided to shift in my career to serve patients, by using my public health background, on a population health level.
How has the Kanof Institute of Physician Leadership (KIPL) influenced your current work? I truly did not know what to expect when I was selected as a KIPL Leadership College Scholar. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude by the meaningful relationships I have formed with my fellow scholars and leaders. I am also humbled and empowered by the practical, educational aspects of the program that I immediately put into practice. I learned a great deal about my leadership style and how to use my strengths to improve my effectiveness and collaboration in my current role. I also learned how to help build a strong team at work and how to engage with other teammates who may have a different leadership style. This is a very important pearl that I have used more effectively since our LC sessions.
What keeps you motivated to get up every day to do what you do? I get up every day feeling privileged to serve patients who need an experienced, compassionate, determined doctor that will go that extra mile for them every day. I feel very blessed and proud that I have used that as my motivation every day, even on the bad days.
Daily mantra/motto or one piece of advice for others in medicine. I firmly believe that being a physician is a calling. It is a privilege that I never take for granted.