A crucial question is now on the minds of a growing number of health system board members: should we be looking for physician and other clinical leaders to guide us to the next level of performance? The answer is simple and unambiguous: yes. It’s time to challenge long-held assumptions about health system leadership and physicians that are outdated.

This article explores the multiple reasons to move in this direction, illustrates key steps for boards to find and recruit essential clinical leaders, and describes one health system’s approach to developing and aligning physician leaders from within their organization to better prepare for healthcare reform.