Name
From Clinician to Systems Leader: Navigating Career Transitions into Health Tech and Fast-Paced Healthcare Settings
Description

Mental health tech companies have seen explosive growth over the past few years. They offer the promise of fast-paced innovation and delivering care in new ways to reach patients. However, the shift into this type of work environment can be a difficult one for those coming out of traditional healthcare settings. This interactive session focuses on workforce mentorship and professional development for clinicians interested in—or actively navigating—this career shift. Led by two clinician-leaders who have successfully made the transition into healthtech, the session focuses on the challenges, opportunities and lessons learned in these environments. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of how to make this transition and ways to increase effectiveness in this exciting workplace environment.

Speakers
Julian Mitton, MD, MPH
Stacy Agosto, LCSW, CADC
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Mentorship, Technical assistance, Workforce development
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Describe key mindset and cultural shifts required when transitioning from clinical practice to leadership roles in health tech or fast-paced healthcare environments, including common ethical and operational tensions.
Objective 2
Apply practical communication strategies to translate clinical expertise into language and frameworks that resonate with cross-functional teams (e.g., product, engineering, executive leadership).
Objective 3
Identify at least three actionable mentorship and professional development strategies to support career transition and promote diverse representation in behavioral health leadership.
Content Reference 1

Perez J. Leadership in Healthcare: Transitioning From Clinical Professional to Healthcare Leader. J Healthc Manag. 2021;66(4):280-302. doi:10.1097/JHM-D-20-00057. This analysis highlights leadership styles and competencies that support clinicians transitioning into leadership roles.

Content Reference 2

UCSF Health Leadership Institute. Transitioning into Leadership Program. UCSF Health; 2026. This program description emphasizes building self-awareness, resilience, inclusive practices, and mentorship as foundational to advancing from clinical practice into leadership.

Content Reference 3

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Future of Nursing; The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. National Academies Press; 2011. This landmark report underscores the importance of mentorship and leadership development opportunities for clinicians to assume roles in complex healthcare systems.