Did you work hard to get accepted into and graduate from medical school, land or change your job, but it’s not what you thought it would be?
Do you feel stuck, burned out, like an imposter or held back by someone or something in your personal or professional life?
Are you taking on a new leadership role or wanting to thoughtfully position yourself for career advancement by becoming a confident, emotionally intelligent leader with executive presence?
Do you know you want a change, have a business idea you want to bring to life, but aren’t sure what direction to take, or how to go about it?
“When someone has come to you for your expertise and your expertise has failed, you have only your character to fall back upon.”
Atul Gawande, MD
Physician Coaching Approach & Experience
10 + years of experience working with physicians across a variety of situations including:
- Doctors working within a hospital setting, community or private practice
- All specialties and career stages from early, mid to senior leadership levels
- Communication / emotional intelligence coaching as part of alternate dispute resolution to support physicians involved in acrimonious legal disputes
- Women and newcomers challenged by gender, discrimination and inclusion issues
Physician coaching clients benefit from my experience as a coach for the Schulich Executive Education Centre’s Physician Leadership Development Program in conjunction with the Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Medical Association. Plus, real life experience as a patient, caregiver, hospital volunteer and strategist / facilitator for Ontario’s Regulatory Health Colleges.
Each coaching relationship is unique and begins with the assertion that people are naturally creative and resourceful. It involves meeting clients where they are, listening on many levels, powerful questions, trust and intuition to evoke transformation.
Coaching feels like a 100% focused “re-charging conversation” for clients to tap into the energy they need to move forward and bring out the best in themselves and others. Coaching is valuable to any personal or professional change initiative. See Physician Coaching and Wellness featured in the Canadian Medical Association’s Pandemic Wellness Toolkit.
Coaching can build healthcare capacity and lead to permanent changes for individuals and organizations. I care and am committed to supporting physician leaders to improve and advance healthcare and physician wellness. See Addressing the Family Physician Shortage Through Coaching
My flexible Custom Coaching Programs and one-off Clarity Coaching sessions are designed to meet you where you are and achieve the results that you want in all aspects of your life and career. Leadership Assessment & Development is my specialty.
Did you know? Professional coaching qualifies for physician continuing education professional development credits for members of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Maintenance of Certification) and members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (Mainpro+).
Mary-Ellen made me a believer in coaching
“Originally a skeptic of coaches, Mary-Ellen made me a believer. Her wealth of experience, unbiased perspective and strong communication skills enabled me to grow as a professional and as a leader.”
David Jacobs, MD, FRCPC
Vice President, Ontario Association of Radiologists
How I make a difference
Meet you where you are to create a fulfillment plan that taps into your best ideas and energy.
Consider where you want to be, what you want to accomplish and who you want to reach.
Support you to overcome burnout, career stress, improve relationships, manage conflict and navigate unpredictability with ease.
Process and free you from limiting assumptions and beliefs that may be holding you back.
Support you to embrace a creative versus reactive leadership mindset to stretch and transform yourself as a leader in all areas of life and work.
Hold you accountable and empower you to keep moving forward to achieve your dreams and goals.
Let’s work together 
Client Case Study
Physician Leadership Development Program
One of four executive coaches recruited to provide individual and group coaching to support physician leadership development. Guided physicians to complete and present complex action learning projects designed to positively impact the healthcare sector. Offered through the Schulich Executive Education Centre in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Medical Association, 150 Ontario physicians graduated, some of whom I continue to coach.
One of the most impactful choices of my career!
“Working with Mary-Ellen has been one of the most impactful choices I have made as a physician when I reached the stage of wanting something different and more fulfilling in my career. She was instrumental in having me look within to discover a hidden passion and desire while also holding me accountable for taking the steps to get there. When I felt like I was stuck in the mud with no clear path out, Mary-Ellen was like that tow truck that comes to the rescue, to get you back on the road in the dark of night. If you are up to something big or just different in life, Mary-Ellen will help you discover your passion and be with you until you can see clearly down the road.”
Michael Simmons, MD
Navitas Health Group Inc.
The Doctors Health Inc.
“Humility is a beneficial trait in leadership. True humility is not
thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.”
Rick Warren
A Note About Professional Ethics
Confidentiality is an imperative for each coaching relationship. As an ICF-Accredited, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC, PCC), I adhere to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics and core competencies which protects clients and serves to uphold the integrity of ICF and the global coaching profession.
Other Ways to Work Together
Looking for help with something else?
Do you know the difference between managing and leading?
In this handy reference guide, you will learn the difference between managing and leading, an important first step to position yourself as a forward-thinking leader who others will willingly follow.
Leadership is a muscle that can be developed regardless of your current managerial or leadership role. Take the first step and get the free cheat sheet below.
