Reno physician T. Brian Callister, MD, is president of the Nevada State Medical Association and national medical director for LifeCare. He will speak at the American Hospital Association Leadership Summit.

T. Brian Callister, MD, FACP, FHM, has been selected as a speaker for the American Hospital Association’s 2012 Leadership Summit, which will be held July 19-21 in San Francisco.  Billed as the “most important hospital leadership conference of the year,” the Leadership Summit draws more than 1,200 top executives who gather to hear from nationally recognized speakers on topics of strategic interest to hospitals and health systems.

Dr. Callister will be presenting on Saturday, July 21, on the topic of “Successful discharge options for your medically complex patients: The continuum and the post-acute balancing act.”   

Dr. Callister, recently nominated as one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 most influential physician executives, is a recognized leader in the field of post-acute care and is the national medical director for LifeCare, a system of 27 hospitals in 10 states.  He serves on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Technical Expert Panels for long-term acute care hospitals and for inpatient rehabilitation facilities. He is the current president of the Nevada State Medical Association as well as president of the northern Nevada district for the American College of Physicians.

1. Set the stage.  Write a brief 100 to 150-word introduction of yourself for the group leader.  Include your name, your topic, why it’s important and what the audience will learn and your qualifications.  If your name is difficult to pronounce, include a pronunciation guide.
2. Map it out.  If you don’t know where to start in writing your speech, use mind-mapping.  Wikipedia has a good explanation and diagram of this method of staging your thoughts around a central theme. Think about the demographics of your audience and their needs as you’re brainstorming.   
3. Get it together: Use the three-point method of speech organization: introduction, content and conclusion or: here’s what I’m going to tell you, I’m telling you now and here’s what I told you.
4. Grab them.  Spend some time on your opening.  Start positively, never with an apology about your nervousness or lack of public speaking experience.  The first few minutes in any speech are critical.  The audience believes you are the expert from your great introduction, and you are!
5. Make them laugh.  Humor is great, but be very careful with any jokes or offhand comments that might offend.  Making the joke at your own expense is almost always safe and can be very engaging.
6. Look at me.  Making direct eye contact can be intimidating for some speakers, so try looking at the middle of people’s foreheads as you look around the room.  No one will know you’re looking at their “third eye,” and it may help you to relax.   
7. Come out from the shadows.  Try to escape the lectern if a portable microphone allows, holding a small piece of paper or note card to remind you of your points if needed.  Gesture with your hands and include movement – not rocking or pacing, but natural walking. 
8. Exude energy.  Be enthusiastic and animated in your voice and body language.  Practice this as much as your actual speech.
9. Tell a story.  Even if your talk is meant to be theoretical, include the reality of a story or life example.  We humans are hard-wired to respond to and remember stories; this is the basis of all cultures.  A great story will make your speech truly memorable.
10. Know when to fold.  Keep within your allotted time, or a bit earlier to allow for questions.  Recapture your primary points near the end.  Think about a strong impression at the conclusion with a brief inspirational story, quote or thought-provoking question.

As with any new endeavor, public speaking becomes easier and more comfortable with practice.  If you want to make a real commitment to improving your speaking abilities, consider joining Toastmasters.  Take every opportunity to be a presenter, and more invitations and opportunities will follow for you and your business!