I fell silent and waited, long enough to intubate someone. The time felt well spent and just as vital. He answered slowly, with effort.

“Look, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of bad experiences a while back, but I know it’s not fair to generalize. You guys do a good job generally, and I see your point.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. F. It means a lot to me that you took the time to listen and reconsider. I know my team deserves my trust and support. Have a good night.”

After the conversation, I pondered the admirable challenge of being a primary physician and working all day to care for your patients only to be awakened at 3 a.m. with admissions. I respect someone with a capacity to grow and adapt to professional change. I hung up feeling the mission was accomplished – firmly defending a colleague while showing respect that converted resistance to positive change.

Teaching Chris, the resident that leadership is more than giving orders. Showing technicians, nurses, and scribes that I will support them if necessary. Physician assistants have become an essential part of emergency medicine. Ensuring they get due respect from consultants and primary physicians is yet another responsibility of an emergency physician. One that I welcome. One for the team.

Dr. Veysman is an assistant professor and attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine, the University of Medicine & Dentistry, New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.