Dr. Dhvani Thakker saw herself as a clinician first.

She was improving workflows, coordinating care across teams, solving problems, and leading quality initiatives before anyone formally named it leadership.

Then a mentor pulled her aside and said the thing many women need someone else to say before they fully believe it:

You are already doing the work.

That recognition helped her step into a formal leadership role.

Then came the questions.

What exactly is your role?
What will you be doing?
What do these goals mean?

In this episode of The Other Side of Leadership, Dr. Thakker talks about being seen, being questioned, and learning to advocate for the seat she had already earned.

Her message is clear: women leaders do not need to wait until they feel perfectly ready.

Sometimes leadership begins when someone else sees what you have been doing all along.

Host:

Mary Kristine Ellis MD FAAFP ABOM

Guest:

Dr. Dhvani Thakker

Producer:

Dana Corriel, MD

Takeaways:

• Leadership exists beyond formal titles and roles.
• Mentorship is vital in recognizing and developing leadership potential.
• Building resilience and a supportive network is crucial for overcoming challenges in leadership.