A Surgeon’s Career Pivot

How do you lead a hospital through massive transformation while still caring for patients at the bedside?

In this episode of “PEMBA On Demand,” host Dr. Norman A. Chapin sits down with Dr. Karin Hotchkiss, pediatric surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hotchkiss shares her experience leading the hospital’s transformation into a freestanding children’s facility, offering an inside look at the challenges and opportunities that come with guiding large-scale organizational change. She discusses balancing clinical and administrative responsibilities, leveraging her PEMBA education to enhance leadership effectiveness, and using innovation to improve care delivery. The conversation also touches on integrating telehealth, addressing pediatric specialist shortages, and creating centers of excellence to elevate specialized pediatric care.

Key Topics Covered

• Leading the transition of Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to a freestanding facility
  
  
• The evolving role of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in modern healthcare leadership
  
  
• Balancing clinical practice with administrative duties while maintaining physician credibility
  
  
• How the PEMBA program shaped Dr. Hotchkiss’s leadership approach and decision-making
  
  
• Managing human resources and organizational behavior in complex healthcare systems
  
  
• Integrating technology and AI into strategic hospital planning and future operations
  
  
• Expanding telehealth and virtual care models to improve accessibility and outcomes
  
  
• Developing centers of excellence for high-quality pediatric specialty care
  
  
• Redefining medical staff structure and credentialing to support institutional growth
  
  
• The importance of networking, mentorship, and collaboration for physician leaders
  
  

Dr. Karin Hotchkiss’s Bio:

Dr. Karin Hotchkiss is a pediatric surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, where she oversees the hospital’s clinical operations and strategic transformation. A graduate of the Physician Executive MBA (PEMBA) program at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Hotchkiss blends her clinical expertise with business acumen to drive organizational innovation, strengthen physician engagement, and enhance pediatric care delivery.

Links & Resources

• Dr. Norman A. Chapin on LinkedIn
• PEMBA On Demand Podcast on Apple
• Dr. Karin S. Hotchkiss – Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
• Dr. Karin Hotchkiss on LinkedIn