Mary Mulcahey: Culture Eats Strategy and Grit Fuels Growth
Mary Mulcahey, Professor and Chief of Sports Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Episode 8: Culture Eats Strategy and Grit Fuels Growth
In this episode, Dr. Mary Mulcahey speaks with Dr. Akanksha Mehta, Professor of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine and Director of Male Reproductive Health at the Emory Reproductive Center. The conversation explores Dr. Mehta’s clinical focus on male reproductive and sexual health, her research on male infertility and access to care, and her leadership journey in academic medicine.
Check it out on:
Spotify.
Apple podcasts.
Youtube.
Dr. Mehta discusses her collaborative work with the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, where she sought to expand research beyond female fertility to include male factors in reproductive outcomes. She highlights the importance of education and awareness about male infertility, the need for equity in research funding and clinical resources, and the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration.
As Program Director for the Urology Residency at Emory, Dr. Mehta reflects on her responsibilities, from curriculum design to cultivating a positive departmental culture. She shares insights on evolving surgical training, mentoring residents to be adaptable for the future, and the broader satisfaction that comes from training the next generation.
The discussion also delves into her presidency of the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU), where she advanced initiatives around mentorship, inclusion, and allyship – opening the organization to male allies to strengthen diversity and progress. Dr. Mehta emphasizes the leadership lessons she’s learned from these experiences: the power of collaboration, inclusivity, and learning from differing viewpoints.
Finally, she reflects on leadership development programs (including ELAM and institutional training), the value of executive coaching, and influential leadership readings such as Lean In, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, and HBR’s Emotional Intelligence collection. She closes with two favorite quotes:
- ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast.’
- ‘Leaders create other leaders, not followers.’
Key Takeaways
- Broaden the Lens on Reproductive Health: Male infertility is under-recognized and under-researched; equity in reproductive medicine requires including male factors.
- Collaborative Care Matters: Partnerships between urologists and reproductive endocrinologists are vital for comprehensive patient outcomes.
- Leadership is Cultural: A strong departmental culture and inclusive communication are essential for effective residency programs.
- Learning Never Stops: Leadership development programs and coaching can profoundly shape self-awareness and professional growth.
- Allyship Drives Change: Inclusion of allies-across gender and professional boundaries-accelerates progress in medicine and leadership.
- Lead by Example: Authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy are powerful leadership tools.”
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