At Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG), leadership is about more than just overseeing hospitalist programs. It’s about making a tangible impact on patient care, mentoring teams and driving clinical excellence. OBHG provides a range of opportunities for clinicians at any stage of their career, including diverse leadership roles.
We recently spoke with several OBHG Market Medical Directors (MMDs), who shared insights on thriving in this leadership role and the pathways available for those ready to advance their careers.
The role of Market Medical Directors at OBHG
Market Medical Directors are pivotal to OBHG’s success, serving as the clinical leadership link between OBHG’s corporate team and hospital partners. Dr. Susan Passarella, one of OBHG’s experienced MMDs, discusses how the role involves overseeing multiple hospitals, fostering relationships with hospital leadership, and ensuring the seamless functioning of hospitalist programs. Dr. Passarella began her career as a hospitalist and, through her dedication and leadership, rose to become a Site Director and eventually an MMD. She explains that the transition came naturally as she enjoyed working between leadership and hospitals.
“It makes a bigger impact that we can have as OB hospitalists in our little world.”
– Dr. Susan Passarella
Dr. Eric Colton’s path to becoming an MMD was one of continuous growth. He embraced leadership opportunities and was soon responsible for overseeing seven programs across the Midwest. Dr. Colton highlights the importance of relationship-building and collaboration in the MMD role, which requires a balance of clinical leadership and operational oversight. He emphasized how effective communication and collaboration are key to resolving challenges, especially when navigating complex dynamics with hospital administrators.
“The MMD role allows me to oversee multiple programs, but OBHG has been great about providing flexible scheduling and support, which makes balancing everything manageable.”
– Dr. Eric Colton
The MMD opportunity: Responsibilities and benefits
OBHG is actively seeking experienced OB/GYN clinicians ready to take on the challenge of becoming a Market Medical Director. This leadership position offers more than clinical oversight—it provides a platform for innovation, mentorship, and operational excellence. MMDs are responsible for:
- Clinical Operations: Ensuring the delivery of top-tier hospitalist services across assigned hospitals.
- New Program Launches: Leading the development and successful implementation of new hospitalist programs.
- Hospital Relationships: Acting as a liaison between OBHG and hospital leadership, ensuring alignment and collaboration.
- Business Development Support: Providing critical clinical insights to business development efforts, ensuring smooth transitions from sales to operations.
As part of the OBHG clinical leadership team, the MMDs report directly to the Medical Director of Operations (MDO) or the Vice President of Clinical Operations (VPCO). They play a key role in ensuring that clinical teams deliver quality programs that meet OBHG’s and hospital objectives.
The MMD role requires at least five 24-hour hospitalist shifts per scheduling block, in addition to travel to oversee operations at multiple hospitals. However, as both Dr. Colton and Dr. Passarella highlighted, OBHG places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, offering flexible scheduling and robust support systems.
The path to becoming an MMD: Insights and advice
MMD Dr. Lisbeth McKinnon emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with both hospital leadership and fellow Site Directors. She describes her role as one of mentorship, particularly in supporting Site Directors as they grow into their positions. For her, successful leadership involves creating an environment where everyone—from hospital teams to administrators—feels supported and aligned with OBHG’s mission, to elevate the standard of women’s healthcare.
“As a Market Medical Director, you’re in a unique position to drive change—not only for your hospitalist team but also at the hospital level. You’re influencing patient care on a broader scale.”
– Dr. Lisbeth McKinnon
Qualifications and key traits of successful MMDs
The ideal candidates for the MMD role at OBHG are board-certified OB/GYN clinicians with proven leadership experience. Many successful MMDs have previously held leadership roles such as Chief of OB or Department Chair, and they demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and communication skills to build rapport with hospital teams, leadership, and OBHG corporate staff.
- A team-oriented, service-driven mindset aligned with OBHG’s mission of delivering excellent care.
- Flexibility to travel and manage multiple programs across different regions.
Additionally, proficiency with common software tools like Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is expected, as these are integral to managing operations across different hospitals.
What OBHG offers
By joining OBHG as a Market Medical Director, clinicians gain access to an array of benefits designed to support both personal and professional growth, including:
- A competitive salary with guaranteed shifts
- Flexible scheduling that allows for work-life balance
- Paid medical malpractice insurance with unlimited tail coverage
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits
- A CME allowance and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Opportunities for advancement within OBHG’s leadership structure
- Paid parental leave
Through our benefits package, we are committed to fostering a supportive environment where clinicians can thrive, both in their clinical work and their leadership development.
Join OBHG’s leadership team
The MMD role is available in various markets across the U.S., including Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and select Northeast regions. This position is an opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a substantial impact on hospitalist programs, while also enjoying the rewards of a flexible schedule and strong support system.
If you’re a board-certified OB/GYN clinician ready to elevate your career, OBHG invites you to apply for the Market Medical Director position. Help shape the future of hospitalist services and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and healthcare professionals.
OBHG provides the tools, support, and flexibility to ensure that its leaders can excel both in their professional roles and personal lives. Are you ready to take the next step? Join OBHG as a Market Medical Director and be part of something bigger.
Current MMD opportunities exist in Virginia, Texas/ Louisiana, New England, and Kentucky/Tennessee.
For the Virginia MMD position, click here
For the Texas/Louisana MMD position, click here
For the New England MMD position, click here
For the Kentucky/Tennessee position, click here