19:“Courage is the New Currency” - ACOG CLC 2026 Takeaways
What does it mean to have courage as a physician right now?
In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I’m sharing reflections from my 10th year attending the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference (CLC) in Washington, DC — a meeting where nearly 800 OB-GYNs from across the country come together to advocate for patients, physicians, and the future of healthcare.
This year’s theme came from a powerful message by Skye Perryman:
“Courage is the new currency.”
We talk about what that means in a time when medicine, policy, and physician identity are increasingly intertwined — and why staying silent may come at a greater cost than speaking up.
You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights from Capitol Hill advocacy meetings, conversations with residents and early-career physicians, and a breakdown of the policies shaping OB-GYN practice — from prenatal care costs to prior authorization reform and payment changes that could impact physician burnout and workforce sustainability.
This episode is both a reflection and a call to action.
Because whether you see yourself as “political” or not…
healthcare policy is shaping your daily work.
And your voice matters more than you think.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why physician advocacy is essential in today’s healthcare landscape
- What “backsliding democracies” means — and why it matters for medicine
- Key takeaways from ACOG’s Congressional Leadership Conference
- The real impact of healthcare policy on OB-GYN practice and patient care
- What the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act could mean for patients and physicians
- Why prior authorization reform affects more than just Medicare patients
- How upcoming OB payment changes (global billing unbundling) may impact burnout
- The role of courage in navigating uncertainty in medicine
Topics Covered
- Physician burnout and systemic stressors
- Healthcare policy and advocacy
- OB-GYN workforce challenges
- Preventive care and insurance coverage
- Medicare Advantage and prior authorization
- Leadership and physician identity
- Medical advocacy for residents and early-career physicians
Key Takeaway
The cost of staying silent in medicine is rising.
Advocacy isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting patients, supporting physicians, and shaping a sustainable future for healthcare.
Courage isn’t optional anymore. It’s required.
Keywords: physician advocacy, OB-GYN advocacy, ACOG CLC, healthcare policy, physician burnout, prior authorization reform, Medicare Advantage, prenatal care costs, global billing OB, physician leadership, women in medicine, medical advocacy, healthcare reform, doctor burnout solutions
Work With Dr. Christina Adams
If this episode resonates, I'd love to talk about how we can work together.
I work 1:1 with women physicians who are:
- Burned out and questioning their future in medicine
- Navigating contract non-renewal or job loss
- Planning an intentional exit from clinical practice
- Exploring advocacy, leadership, or nonclinical career paths
✨ Schedule a free coaching consultation to explore what’s next.
About the Podcast Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power
Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians experiencing burnout, career dissatisfaction, or major transitions in medicine.
If you're a woman doctor considering leaving clinical practice, exploring nonclinical careers, or seeking a more sustainable and aligned path, this podcast is for you.
I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OB-GYN, physician coach, and former burned-out doctor. I help women physicians move from survival mode to self-trust, clarity, and empowered career decisions.
Each episode includes:
- Physician burnout recovery tools
- Nervous system regulation strategies for high-achieving women
- Conversations about leaving medicine or redesigning your role
- Coaching insight for intentional career transitions
- Advocacy conversations about systemic change in healthcare
- Real stories from women physicians redefining success
This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There is a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming autonomy, identity, and possibility.
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