The Beat That Started It All
Long before I was reading MRIs or leading a radiology group, I was behind a drum kit. Music was one of my first true passions. I started drumming in high school, played in jazz ensembles, and continued playing in bands throughout college. For me, music wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of thinking, communicating, and connecting with the world. Little did I know then that the skills I learned in music would deeply influence how I approach both medicine and leadership today.
Being a drummer taught me about timing, listening, and rhythm—all of which are incredibly relevant to healthcare and entrepreneurship. It gave me an intuitive understanding of how to be in sync with others, how to improvise under pressure, and how to keep things moving forward without missing a beat.
Learning to Listen
One of the first things you learn as a drummer—especially in jazz—is the importance of listening. You can’t just play your part in isolation; you have to hear what the rest of the band is doing and respond to it in real time. This skill has been invaluable in both clinical practice and business leadership.
In radiology, listening isn’t about sound—it’s about paying close attention to the nuances in imaging and to the concerns of referring physicians. You have to hear what’s not being said. You have to notice the subtleties. Similarly, when leading a team or a company, being a good listener builds trust. People want to feel heard, not just managed.
Good listening leads to better collaboration, whether you’re coordinating a diagnostic plan with a surgeon or setting the vision for your company with your executive team. It’s easy to think leadership is about talking, but in reality, it’s about listening first and responding with intention.
Timing Is Everything
In both music and medicine, timing is critical. A well-placed note can change the energy of an entire performance, just as an early diagnosis can change the entire course of a patient’s life. As a drummer, I learned the value of patience—knowing when to come in, when to hold back, and when to drive things forward.
In medicine, particularly in radiology, timing is often the difference between catching something early or missing something important. We work under pressure, knowing that lives depend on our accuracy and efficiency. The discipline of being precise yet flexible—the kind of timing music teaches—translates beautifully into this world.
Leadership, too, requires timing. You have to know when to push your team, when to pause and reflect, and when to pivot. You can’t rush culture change or strategic growth. Like any good rhythm, it has to unfold naturally with intention and coordination.
Finding Your Groove as a Leader
When I first co-founded our radiology group, I had no illusions that starting and scaling a business would be easy. But I did have a framework I didn’t fully realize I was carrying with me—the experience of being in a band. Building a company is not all that different from playing in a group: everyone has a role, and success depends on how well those parts come together.
Being the CEO is kind of like being the drummer in many ways. You’re not always front and center, but you’re setting the pace, providing structure, and making sure everyone is in sync. A band falls apart when people aren’t aligned. So does a team. That’s why culture matters so much in any organization. People need to feel the rhythm of the mission, values, and vision.
In our radiology group, we’ve tried to create a culture that’s built around collaboration, excellence, and respect. Just like in music, it only works when everyone’s aligned, contributing, and aware of the bigger picture.
Improvisation in High-Stakes Moments
I loved jazz growing up because it taught me how to improvise. In jazz, there’s a structure—but within that, there’s space for creativity. That’s a perfect metaphor for medicine. We follow protocols and guidelines, but every patient is different, and sometimes you have to think outside the box to solve a complex case.
As a radiologist, I often have to make decisions with limited information. Sometimes the answer isn’t clear-cut, and you have to use your experience, intuition, and judgment to get it right. That’s improvisation at its finest.
In business leadership, improvisation comes in the form of strategic agility. Markets shift, technology changes, and unexpected problems come up. You can’t always stick to the plan—you have to adjust on the fly. That mindset, honed through music, helps me stay calm under pressure and make thoughtful decisions quickly.
Keeping the Passion Alive
Even now, with everything I juggle professionally, I still turn to music. It’s therapeutic, grounding, and a reminder of where it all began. Whether it’s drumming alone in my garage or jamming with old friends, music brings me back to my roots and keeps me balanced.
It also fuels my creativity. When I need to work through a tough decision or come up with a new idea for our business, stepping away and playing music helps me reset. It reminds me that leadership doesn’t always come from spreadsheets or boardrooms—it can come from creativity, connection, and the willingness to see things differently.
A Life in Harmony
Looking back, I’m grateful for the role music has played in my life. It shaped who I am—not just as a doctor or entrepreneur, but as a person. The lessons I learned from drums and jazz and bands have stayed with me in ways I never could’ve predicted.
In the end, life is about finding your rhythm. Whether it’s in patient care, business leadership, or personal growth, staying in sync with your values, your team, and your purpose makes all the difference. Music taught me that. And I carry that beat with me every single day.