Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: In-Depth Conversation with Dr. Mike Guertin

Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Dr. Mike Guertin, Professor of Anesthesiology and Chief Perioperative Medical Director at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

1. Introduction and Background

In this episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Scott Becker engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Mike Guertin, a distinguished leader in the field of anesthesiology. Dr. Guertin shares insights into his professional journey, leadership philosophies, and the current challenges facing the healthcare industry, particularly focusing on anesthesia shortages.

Dr. Mike Guertin [00:29]:
"I helped to start the first physician-owned surgery center in central Ohio back in 1998. We were an ENT surgery facility... focusing on quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction."

2. Career Evolution

Dr. Guertin's career trajectory is marked by his commitment to both clinical excellence and administrative leadership. After completing his education at Wayne State University, he remained at Ohio State University, contributing significantly to the establishment and growth of ambulatory surgical centers.

• Founding of Surgery Centers:
  Dr. Guertin played a pivotal role in founding the first physician-owned surgery center in central Ohio in 1998. This center specialized in ENT surgeries, handling over 7,000 cases annually and setting benchmarks for quality and efficiency.

• Leadership Roles:
  His leadership extended to serving on the board and eventually becoming the Medical Director of Ambulatory Surgical Services. Under his direction, Ohio State expanded its surgical facilities, including the development of additional outpatient pavilions and ambulatory surgery centers.

• Academic Pursuits:
  Demonstrating his dedication to lifelong learning, Dr. Guertin pursued an MBA at Ohio State Fisher College of Business while maintaining his roles within the university. This blend of medical and business education has enriched his leadership capabilities.

Dr. Mike Guertin [03:42]:
"It's been a wonderful journey... something that if somebody had told me 30 years ago, I never would have believed because life is what happens when you're busy making plans."

3. Leadership and Resilience

A significant portion of the conversation delves into leadership lessons drawn from the resilience of the Ohio State football team under coach Ryan Day. Dr. Guertin parallels the team’s ability to recover from consecutive losses to Michigan with the healthcare industry's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry:
  Dr. Guertin discusses how repeated defeats can serve as motivation to improve and ultimately achieve success, drawing parallels to organizational resilience.

Dr. Mike Guertin [05:08]:
"When things get bad, sometimes you don't succeed, but you have to continue trying... you have to accept the challenges."

• Lessons in Healthcare:
  He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuous improvement in the face of adversity, likening the healthcare sector's recovery from the pandemic to the football team's comeback.

Scott Becker [05:43]:
"The resilience that you saw in that Ohio State team reminds me of when the Buckeyes got crushed by Miami... it provided the wake-up call to win the national title."

4. Lifelong Learning

Dr. Guertin highlights the significance of lifelong learning, both through formal education and experiential growth. His decision to pursue an MBA later in his career underscores his commitment to personal and professional development.

• MBA Experience:
  Enrolled in the working professional program, Dr. Guertin valued learning alongside younger peers, which enriched his perspective and leadership skills.

Dr. Mike Guertin [09:17]:
"I loved the fact that I did that working professional program because it really is a parallel to the standard MBA... it was a great learning experience."

• Advice to Emerging Leaders:
  He advocates for continuous education and self-awareness as critical components for effective leadership, especially in high-stress environments like healthcare.

Scott Becker [10:27]:
"Leadership and learning... combination of learning and doing and engaging in the world is so important."

5. Addressing Anesthesia Shortages

One of the pressing issues discussed is the ongoing shortage of anesthesiologists and its impact on the surge of surgeries. Dr. Guertin provides a multifaceted analysis of the causes and potential solutions.

• Causes of Shortage:
  The shortage is attributed to factors such as increased demand post-pandemic, reduced enrollment in anesthesia residencies, and reimbursement challenges. Additionally, the expansion of surgical sites without a corresponding increase in anesthesia providers exacerbates the issue.

Dr. Mike Guertin [11:14]:
"It's really multifactorial... the reduction in reimbursement per RVU for anesthesia services has driven some people to leave the industry."

• Impact of COVID-19:
  The pandemic led to delays in elective surgeries, which, upon resumption, resulted in a surge of surgical cases needing anesthesia services.

• Reimbursement Challenges:
  Disparities in reimbursement rates between ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospitals, along with government payer constraints, have contributed to the shortage.

Dr. Mike Guertin [15:54]:
"Anesthesia is very much impacted by government payers and the reduction in current pay reimbursement per RVU for anesthesia services."

• Solutions and Adaptations:
  Ohio State's approach includes effective recruitment, reducing reliance on costly agency professionals, and optimizing staffing to maintain operational efficiency.

Dr. Mike Guertin [17:51]:
"We’ve been very fortunate in our organization at Ohio State to really be able to keep up with a lot of the trends and recruit people into our department."

6. Personal Anecdotes and Leadership Development

Dr. Guertin shares personal stories that have shaped his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the impact of critical conversations.

• Influence of His Mother:
  His mother’s career as a nurse anesthetist instilled in him an appreciation for collaborative teamwork and the evolution of anesthesiology.

Scott Becker [15:54]:
"It's amazing that your mother was one of the first CRNAs and how much influence that had on you..."

• Critical Moment in Leadership:
  An incident involving a delayed surgery led to a pivotal realization about his role as a leader. Rather than reprimanding a nurse harshly, Dr. Guertin chose to foster understanding and empathy, which transformed his approach to leadership.

Dr. Mike Guertin [18:24]:
"As leaders, and particularly as physician leaders, we have a higher calling and a tremendous impact on all the people that work with us."

• Role as Director of Leadership:
  Motivated by his experiences, he now serves as the Director of Leadership for the Center of Faculty Advancement Mentoring Engagement in the College of Medicine at Ohio State, focusing on mentoring and enhancing self-awareness among faculty members.

7. Conclusion

The conversation between Scott Becker and Dr. Mike Guertin offers a rich tapestry of insights into effective leadership, the importance of lifelong learning, and the systemic challenges facing anesthesiology today. Dr. Guertin’s experiences underscore the value of resilience, empathy, and continuous personal and professional development in navigating and leading within the dynamic landscape of U.S. healthcare.

Dr. Mike Guertin [22:13]:
"We realize that we're under a lot of stress and pressure sometimes... but with that comes responsibility and an opportunity to really be better people. And that's led to a happier life."

Scott Becker wraps up the episode by acknowledging Dr. Guertin’s remarkable career and the profound insights he has shared, highlighting the importance of such dialogues in advancing healthcare leadership.

Scott Becker [22:31]:
"What a remarkable professional career and so many insights as well. What a pleasure to visit with you."

This detailed summary captures the essence of the conversation between Scott Becker and Dr. Mike Guertin, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the topics discussed and the valuable lessons imparted.