A U.S. Navy veteran, distinguished cardiologist and devoted mother, Lauren Ann Weber, MD, FACC, has enjoyed an exceptional career spanning military and civilian medicine. A proud Native American woman, Weber brings a unique perspective to her work, championing diversity and excellence in health care.

After completing her medical education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Weber began her career with an internship at the National Naval Medical Center. She then served as a flight surgeon with the Marine Corps, assigned to an MV-22 Osprey squadron. Her military service included a highly impactful deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing critical medical care in some of the world's most challenging and volatile regions.

Following her deployment, Weber completed both an internal medicine residency and cardiovascular diseases fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Her leadership roles included associate program director, director of cardiac imaging and deputy chief of the department of medicine.

Currently she is director of cardiac imaging at Confluence Health, and she serves on the board of directors for Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical in Washington. Weber is also the co-founder and director of All Levels Leadership – a health care leadership consulting company. She continues to lead with expertise, innovation and an unwavering commitment to advancing cardiovascular care.

Jonathan A. Aun, DO, FACC, spoke with Weber about what led her to the military and how her work there has informed her leadership style and approach to treating veterans and civilian medicine.

What motivated you to join the military?

I was drawn to the idea of being a doctor and a leader and an officer. The military offered me a unique opportunity to serve while growing personally and professionally. It allowed me to gain life experiences, like serving as a flight surgeon, that can only be obtained in the military. I remember walking into my medical school and seeing the photos of those who had walked the same path. In that moment, the reality of my journey in the Navy hit me – it was both exhilarating and daunting.

As a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated profession, what were some of the specific challenges you faced while serving in the military? How did you navigate those challenges to establish your leadership style?

One of the most significant challenges was ensuring my voice was heard. It's one thing to sit at the table – it's another to be heard once you're there. While I was a flight surgeon, I quickly realized that being at the table was not enough – I had to find a way to make my voice count. Recognizing this challenge early on was crucial because if nobody hears you, you can't be influential. Mentors and sponsors played a huge role in amplifying my voice and lending their own reputations to help me build credibility. Their support helped me overcome obstacles, allowing me to lead with confidence and authority.

How did your military experiences inform your approach to leadership in cardiology, and what leadership lessons from the military have you carried with you into civilian practice?

Early in my career, both as a flight surgeon and later as junior staff, I embraced the philosophy that I would grow where I was planted. I sought to find synergy between what I excelled at and what truly inspired me, bringing together what I was 'good at' and what will 'fill my cup.' This approach guided my earlier roles as chief resident and later as associate program director. However, in the military, there is an inherent expectation that you will progress.

As deputy chief, I quickly realized how crucial it was to understand decision-making at levels above my department. It's important to know your circle of control, but even more critical to recognize the larger framework outside of your department. Once you step out of the microeconomy of cardiology, you begin to see the broader macroeconomy of the hospital. You realize there are bills and taxes to be paid to accomplish the mission. You start to step out of your house, off your street, out of your town, and into the city. You gain insight into budget cuts, gaps, unmet needs, and the challenges that become more transparent. Stepping out of your immediate role humanizes leadership and gives you a deeper understanding of how decisions are made and the complexities that drive them.

Veterans can sometimes face unique barriers to health care, including mistrust. How did you build rapport and trust with your veteran patients? What can early-career cardiologists learn from this?

Caring for veterans presents unique challenges that require both empathy and understanding. One of the biggest obstacles is the mistrust that many veterans feel toward health care providers, which often depends on their individual experiences, the era they served in, and the nature of their service. For example, veterans of the Vietnam War may have a very different perspective from those who served more recently. Mistrust can also stem from personal experiences with the military or health care system, particularly for those who were drafted or experienced unpopularity during their service.

As a veteran myself, I have a unique bond with my patients, which helps build rapport and trust. My military experience also has made me more attuned to issues like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a significant concern for many veterans, particularly women.

It is crucial to recognize that veterans want to feel involved in their care decisions and maintain autonomy in their treatment plans. To build trust, I focus on understanding their priorities and creating space for open communication. Early-career cardiologists can learn from this by recognizing the importance of patience and sensitivity in addressing veterans' unique health care needs, as well as the value of developing trust.

This article was authored by Jonathan A. Aun, DO, FACC, an early-career cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the presenter/interviewee and do not reflect the official policy of the United States Air Force, the Department of the Defense, the Defense Health Agency or the United States Government.

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Veterans, Leadership