A New Era in Medicine: Steering the Next Generation of Physicians

Young millennial and Gen Z physicians have entered the workforce with values, expectations and communication styles that differ sharply from those of their predecessors. Their emphasis on boundaries, well-being, frequent feedback and purpose-driven work can appear to some as entitlement, immaturity or resistance to feedback. But a growing body of research—and real-world experience—suggests something deeper: a generational shift that our healthcare systems need to understand, not resist. This session unpacks the tensions playing out across clinical settings and explores how to turn generational friction into your organization’s strategic advantage. Drawing on new data and firsthand experience, our panel of physician leaders and healthcare executives will confront the uncomfortable questions head-on: Are younger physicians less prepared due to the decline in clinical hours during residency? Do they expect influence without earning it? What’s the role of the system in either perpetuating or addressing these gaps, and what role do physician leaders play in bridging them?

This session will explore:

• What the data really says about the receptiveness of young Millennials and Gen Z to feedback, mentorship and collaboration


• The cost of early physician development programs—and their potential ROI in improving performance and positively impacting retention rates


• Case studies and cautionary tales from across systems: what worked, what didn’t, and what’s scalable


• The role that physician leaders play in both modeling and mentoring, underscoring why your leadership team benefits from physician executives in key roles


• A practical path forward to engage, equip and empower the next generation without lowering the bar

You will leave with strategies for closing the gap between generations—including how to redesign feedback systems, evolve mentorship models and rethink onboarding to reflect today’s realities. This isn’t a gripe session or a generational bash—it’s a call for adaptive leadership, honest dialogue and shared responsibility in shaping the future of the culture of medicine.