Conflict as Catalyst: Physician Resilience and Teamwork in Medical Education

What happens when a simple act of initiative in the OR sparks a lifelong pursuit of conflict resolution and systemic change in medicine?

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Andrea Austin chats with Dr. Lee Sharma about her path from private practice frustrations to earning a master’s in conflict resolution amid burnout doubts. Lee recounts her “aha” moment assisting in a delayed C-section, realizing small actions foster teamwork and belonging. She discusses overcoming conflict avoidance, the emotional “bank account” in healthcare relationships, and scripting responses to personal attacks. Now in her 24-year solo practice and a health policy fellowship, Lee emphasizes listening to understand, pausing to respond, and viewing conflict as opportunity.

You’ll hear how they: 

• Build team belonging through “assists” and emotional investments for better patient outcomes 
• Handle conflict by listening to understand, not respond, and redirecting personal attacks back to the core issue 
• Advocate for autonomy, competency, and relational skills to combat burnout and improve healthcare systems
•  Inspire change through vulnerability, scripting hard conversations, and pursuing additional education like conflict resolution degrees

If you’re facing workplace conflicts or seeking to reignite your passion in medicine, this episode provides honest insights and practical strategies for personal and systemic transformation.

About the Guest

“Conflict is not good or bad—it’s an opportunity to improve and deepen relationships.” – Dr. Lee Sharma

Dr. Lee Sharma is a board-certified OB/GYN in private practice for 24 years, with a master’s in conflict resolution from Columbia College. Host of the podcast Scalpel and Sword, she consults on dispute systems, leadership, and conflict skills for hospitals and physicians. A health policy fellow at Brandeis University’s Heller School, Lee advocates for women’s health, teamwork, and systemic change, drawing from her experiences in Auburn, Alabama, where she returned to practice after training.

📍 Connect with Lee

       📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
        🌐 Website: East Alabama Health – Dr. Sharma (https://www.eastalabamahealth.org/provider/lee-sharma-md-obstetrics)

• Podcast: Scalpel and Sword  (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scalpel-and-sword-conflict-and-negotiation-in/id1812960559)

📚 Resources + Mentions

 🔗 Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury  (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/0143118757)

🔗 Caring Leadership in Turbulent Times by Josh Hartzell (https://www.mghihp.edu/sites/default/files/2022-10/joshua-hartzell-cv-may-2022.pdf)

 🔗 Brandeis University Heller School Health Policy Fellowship (with Physicians Foundation) (https://heller.brandeis.edu/executive-education/programs/leadership-hpm.html)

🔗 State Medical Association Meetings (e.g., Alabama Medical Association)  (https://www.alamedical.org/)

🔗 Resa Lewiss (keynote speaker on women’s health and advocacy) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/resaelewissmd)

🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways

•  Foster Belonging Through Assists: Recognize needs and lend a hand without waiting to be asked, building emotional “bank accounts” for stronger teams. Try one “assist” this week to enhance workplace fulfillment and patient care. 
•  Listen to Understand, Not Respond: In conflicts, pause and redirect personal attacks back to the core issue (e.g., “That’s not what we’re focusing on right now”). Practice scripting responses to stay composed and refocus on patient outcomes. 
• View Conflict as Opportunity: Embrace vulnerability in hard conversations—admit “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”—to deepen relationships and drive change. Start with one reflective pause in a tense moment to turn challenges into growth.

🩺 About the Host:

Dr. Andrea Austin is a board-certified emergency physician, educator, and passionate advocate for system-level change in healthcare. As the creator and host of Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare, Dr. Austin brings curiosity, compassion, and bold honesty to conversations with leaders who are challenging the norms and reshaping medicine from the inside out.

With decades of experience in high-pressure clinical environments, Andrea has seen firsthand the cracks in the system—and the people working to repair them. Whether she’s mentoring residents, speaking on national stages, or recording with a fellow disruptor, she centers one theme: change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens heart to heart.

💫 About the Show:

Heartline: Changemaking in Healthcare isn’t just a podcast—it’s a pulse check on what’s possible.

Hosted by emergency physician and educator Dr. Andrea Austin, Heartline features conversations with healthcare leaders, innovators, and quiet disruptors who are challenging the way things have always been done.

Each episode explores real stories of change—from redefining leadership and communication, to reimag…