276: From Trials & Tribulations to an Intentional Future in Healthcare Leadership with Dr. Gian Varbaro
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276: From Trials & Tribulations to an Intentional Future in Healthcare Leadership
In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, I got the pleasure to be talking to Dr. Gian Varbaro, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.
When Dr. Gian Varbaro looks back on his career, he doesn’t credit a master plan, but rather a combination of intention, curiosity, and well-timed luck. Born to hard-working immigrant parents, Gian’s childhood was steeped in values of perseverance, sacrifice, and doing right by others. Though he once resisted the idea of becoming a doctor simply because his father pushed for it, Gian’s desire to make a difference eventually led him to medicine on his own terms.
Yet, medical school wasn’t the idealistic environment he’d imagined. Gian was disheartened by the inertia of the system and longed to do more than simply treat symptoms. This frustration became fuel. He pursued internal medicine, drawn to the complex challenges and human connection it offered, and eventually took a chance on the emerging field of hospital medicine. With no formal playbook, Gian helped found new programs, navigated entrenched institutional resistance, and unwittingly launched himself into the world of healthcare transformation.
Over the years, Gian’s career has taken him from launching hospitalist programs at Yale and Robert Wood Johnson to leading complex turnarounds in underserved hospitals. Along the way, he earned an MBA from Yale to bridge the communication gap between clinicians and administrators. His goal wasn’t just to “understand the business side,” but to become a better translator, someone who could advocate for better care and smarter systems without losing sight of the people at the center of it all.
As Chief Medical Officer at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Gian has spent years transforming a once-beleaguered hospital into a high-performing institution, even leading the charge during the COVID-19 pandemic. He doesn’t just want to run a better hospital, he wants to grow leaders. Mentoring others has become a cornerstone of his work, ensuring that the next generation of physicians can thrive in a system he’s helping to reshape.
In this conversation, Gian reminds us that careers are rarely linear and that true leadership often starts with asking hard questions, staying curious, and stepping up when no one else will. Whether you're in medicine, management, or mid-transition, his journey offers a powerful example of what it means to work from the inside out with transforming systems and yourself in the process.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
How career frustration can be a powerful catalyst for discovering purpose and direction
Why intentionality matters and how to approach your next move with clarity and strategy
The value of learning from both good and bad leaders to shape your own leadership style
The evolving role of the hospitalist and how Dr. Varbaro helped pioneer hospital-based care
The importance of mentorship and being mentored—even in unconventional or informal ways
Why equity and trust are essential to transforming institutions and rebuilding morale
Learn more about Dr. Gian Varbaro:
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About Tammy, host of
Work from the inside out
Prior to establishing her practice, Tammy held a variety of positions in mental health services, higher education administration, public policy analysis and fundraising. Her practical knowledge and experience in organizational development, program management and business operations builds a relatable relationship with clients striving for higher performance results.