We’re excited to share a spotlight of Derek J. Heard, MD, MHL, the CMIO and Medical Director Primary Care at Phoebe Physicians Group!
- How long have you been in health care, and what are your favorite parts about it?
I graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1999 and completed my residency in 2002, so I consider myself to have been practicing for about 27 years. What I enjoy most about medicine are the relationships I get to build with patients and their families. There’s no better feeling than having a patient refer someone they care about to you because they feel you’ve made a positive impact on their life. That never gets old.
- Can you tell us one of your favorite patient stories from working in medicine?
I once had a patient who became ill while traveling out of state. Instead of seeking care locally, they chose to return home the next day so they could see me. While I did admonish them for not seeking immediate care, I was genuinely humbled that they trusted my judgment and skill that deeply. Moments like that remind me of the impact we have on the lives we touch, and it means a great deal.
- Can you tell us about a time that a tip you learned came in handy, with a patient or a colleague, for example?
The “Listening Well” module stood out for me. A young colleague came to me seeking advice on avoiding burnout and managing the responsibilities that come with being a provider. Instead of jumping in to fix the problem, I intentionally focused on being an active listener. Even though I wanted to offer advice right away, I realized he first needed space to share his thoughts fully. Once he did, he was much more receptive to my guidance. It reinforced how powerful it is to truly hear someone.
- What new skills are you looking forward to developing?
I’m looking forward to developing the skills needed to train and mentor future leaders within my organization. I feel like I’m at the “top of the hill on this rollercoaster,” and I know others will need to take the reins soon. I want to gain the tools to teach and prepare them so I can confidently entrust my practice, health system, and community to the next generation.
- What do you look forward to most after each week’s new tip?
I always enjoy discovering what new tool will be added to my toolkit. Although I have a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership, Practicing Excellence offers bite‑sized, practical insights that aren’t time‑consuming but consistently provide meaningful guidance on how to be a better leader in both my office and my organization.
Nick Chicchetti is a Marketing Specialist at Practicing Excellence, specializing in developing, implementing, and analyzing marketing strategies and development of content. He brings over five years of healthcare marketing experience, and has a passion for driving change and improving experiences across the healthcare continuum.
