Dr Cheryl Johnson
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Geriatrician/RACP Network Training Director, Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā And Te Tai Tokerau, NZ

Dr Cheryl Johnson is a dual-trained Geriatrician and General Physician working across Waitematā and Te Tai Tokerau. She has held numerous clinical and educational leadership roles throughout her SMO career, with a longstanding commitment to supporting physician training and improving the care of older adults.
 
Cheryl is the RACP Auckland Network Training Director, having established the Adult Medicine Training Network in 2022. Prior to this, she was the Director of Physician Education at Waitematā for seven years.  Cheryl also chairs both the Aotearoa New Zealand Adult Medicine Division Education Committee and the Clinical Examination Committee.

From 2018 to 2022, she also held the role of Clinical Director for Older Adults at Waitematā, where she led several major service innovations including the establishment of Integrated Stroke Units at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals, and the expansion of the Interim Care Service. A steady and strategic leader, Cheryl guided her team successfully through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a profound impact on the care of older adults in the Waitematā region.
 
Outside of work, Cheryl splits her time between Auckland and the "winterless North," where she enjoys life with her partner, son and their Rhodesian Ridgeback Nala.

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Medical Leadership

​"Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in our charge." – Simon Sinek
 
As physicians and physicians-in-training, we all serve as leaders in various capacities – whether guiding a multidisciplinary team in the care of patients, mentoring our junior staff or taking on more formal leadership roles within our hospitals. Developing effective leadership skills is essential throughout our careers, as opportunities to lead often emerge in both expected and unexpected ways.
 
Effective leadership requires a diverse set of competencies, including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage and support others. Understanding both yourself and those you lead is foundational to fostering trust and collaboration. Leaders must also be equipped to navigate complex challenges such as change management, conflict resolution, and crisis leadership.  Core principles of leadership will be explored, including the distinction between leadership and management. We will examine various leadership styles and consider how to apply them appropriately depending on the context and needs of the team.
 
The session will serve as a "whistle-stop tour" of the key attributes and skills required to be an effective leader in healthcare, and aims to inspire continued reflection, learning, and leadership skill development.​