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Transformative Healthcare Leadership in a Changing World
Leading Healthcare Forward Through Transformative Leadership
By Dr. Wairimu Mwaniki
On May 15th, 2025, I had the privilege of moderating a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Kenya Medical Association’s Policy Advocacy and Communications (PAC) Committee. The webinar titled Transformative Healthcare Leadership in a Changing World, brought together a powerful panel of experts to unpack the evolving demands of leadership in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Our panel included Dr. Frederick Ephraim Mukabi, a seasoned governance and leadership consultant and Deputy Director of Learning and Development at the Kenya School of Government; Dr. Rafael Chiuzi, an organizational psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga whose work focuses on team dynamics and psychological safety; and Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, a family physician and President-elect of the World Medical Association, widely recognized for her leadership in health policy across Kenya and beyond.
Each speaker offered practical, deeply insightful perspectives that resonated with our audience. What follows is a brief reflection on the key lessons shared.
Dr. Frederick Mukabi: Leadership is Learned, Practiced, and Shared
Opening the session, Dr. Mukabi challenged the age-old question—are leaders born or made? His answer was clear: “Though leadership qualities may be inherent, skills can always be developed.” Drawing from his decades of experience, he emphasized that leadership is a craft honed through training, contemplation, and practice.
He walked us through core leadership styles—authoritative, democratic, transformational, transactional—and stressed that the most effective leaders are those who know when to adapt their style to fit the needs of their teams. “There is no one-size-fits-all in leadership,” he said, adding that flexibility and emotional intelligence are indispensable tools in managing people.
Dr. Mukabi also spoke passionately about the need to embed leadership training early in medical education. “We push doctors into management before giving them the tools to lead,” he noted, calling for deliberate investment in leadership capacity from undergraduate level onwards. He reminded us that strong leadership is not about commanding teams, but about modeling the values we expect from others, and creating spaces where trust and collaboration can flourish.
Dr. Rafael Chiuzi: Leading Through Change and Psychological Safety
Dr. Chiuzi brought a refreshing psychological lens to the leadership conversation. He spoke about how fear and uncertainty—rather than stubbornness—often lie at the heart of resistance to change in healthcare teams. “People resist change for good reasons,” he said. “As leaders, it’s our job to understand what those reasons are.”
He emphasized that fairness and adherence to process, while important, are not enough to make teams feel safe. “Psychological safety doesn’t happen by default. You have to create it—through consistent behavior, clear communication, and the courage to welcome dissent,” he said. Inviting input, listening deeply, and avoiding defensiveness were just some of the tools he recommended for leaders managing through uncertainty.
One standout quote from his session: “You must be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” In other words, true leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying present when tensions arise, and seeing resistance as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat to authority.
Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu: Blending Clinical Practice with Policy Influence
Closing the session, Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu offered a compelling case for why healthcare professionals must move beyond the clinic to lead at systems level. With over 20 years of leadership experience in national and international health institutions, she reflected on how doctors are uniquely positioned to influence policy—if they are equipped with the right mindset and training.
“Clinical practice gives us insight into what’s not working in the system,” she said. “But without leadership skills, we can’t move from identifying the problem to fixing it.” Dr. Kitulu emphasized the importance of aligning clinical duties with broader governance responsibilities, especially for those seeking to shape sustainable health reforms.
She also advocated for early leadership development and mentoring, noting that leadership should not be reserved for the most senior. “Leadership is not a position. It’s a way of thinking and engaging—with systems, with people, and with purpose,” she shared. Her lived experience, from leading KMA to securing major health grants and championing universal health coverage, gave weight to her message: impact is possible when leadership is intentional, ethical, and inclusive.
Final Thoughts
Moderating this session was a powerful reminder that leadership in healthcare today requires more than technical excellence. It demands courage, adaptability, and an ability to inspire trust in the midst of uncertainty.
Whether through Dr. Mukabi’s call for flexible, value-based leadership, Dr. Chiuzi’s challenge to foster psychological safety, or Dr. Kitulu’s vision of clinically engaged policy leaders—it was made clear that transformative leadership is not a destination, but a continuous journey of learning and growth.
As we equip the next generation of healthcare leaders, may we carry forward these lessons with clarity and purpose.
About the author
Dr. Wairimu Mwaniki is a Consultant Physician and the Convener of the KMA Policy Advocacy and Communications Committee
Missed the webinar CLICK TO REWATCH