In recent years, Coach U has welcomed more healthcare professionals into our programs. They are increasingly expanding their expertise beyond clinical skills. This session explores how integrating coaching into your toolkit can strengthen leadership, enhance communication, and improve patient care, while empowering teams and fostering meaningful collaboration with colleagues, patients, and families.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Mary Fay and Dr. Jessica Merlin, two physician leaders who have taken Coach U’s Core Essentials Program. They will share their motivations for pursuing coach training, their experiences in the program, and the tangible impact it has had on their practice, even after years of advanced training and professional expertise. They have transformed the way they show up for others, mentor younger physicians, and expand fulfillment in their careers, demonstrating how adding coaching to your expertise can unlock meaningful opportunities.

 What we’ll explore

• Why healthcare professionals are adding coaching to their skillset
• How coaching enhances leadership and communication in clinical environments
• The impact of coaching on patient care, burnout prevention, and professional fulfillment
• Real stories of transformation from physicians in practice

Featuring Physician Leaders on the Panel

Dr. Mary E. Fay, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mary Fay is an attending neonatologist, medical director for the Neonatal ICU, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Bernard & Miller Duker Children’s Hospital within Albany Medical Health Systems. She completed medical school at St. George’s University, pediatric and chief residency at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY and fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Dr. Fay’s passion for coaching grew while providing regional education in neonatal resuscitation and coaching medical students on the impact of emotional intelligence in professional and personal spaces. Dr. Fay is completing her coaching training through Coach U and looking forward to further certifications.  She is certified to coach in the Emotional Intelligence Program for EQi 2.0, EQi 360 and EQi for Leadership.  Dr. Fay is excited to be partnering in coaching to help healthcare professionals reduce burnout, maximize their personal and professional goals and find professional fulfillment.

Dr. Jessica S. Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA

Dr. Jessica Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA, is a physician‑scientist and national leader in the fields of palliative care, chronic pain, and addiction medicine. She currently serves as the inaugural Director of the Center for Research Excellence in Supportive Care (CREST) at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–James, where she also leads the Section of Palliative and Pain Research (SPARC) and serves as Associate Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Internal Medicine. Prior to joining Ohio State, she was a tenured Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where she directed the Challenges in Managing and Preventing Pain (CHAMPP) research center.

As a coach and consultant, she works with faculty at all career levels and has particular expertise in helping individuals navigate career transitions and negotiation, which is often necessary to ensure the resources that are necessary to thrive in academia. Her passion for career coaching and consulting originated from her own experiences as a senior scientist, and her mentees’ experiences navigate the treacherous landscape of academia. She has worked with dozens of faculty at institutions all over the US and is frequently invited to speak on topics such as mentoring and negotiation. She is committed to advancing evidence‑based care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the next generation of clinician‑scientists.

Event Details:

• Friday, May 15, 2026 : 12pm to 1pm Eastern Time [New York]