Name
Strategic Self-Reflection: Turning the SWOT Lens on You
Description
Leaders are often put into a position of analyzing organizations, systems, and teams but rarely themselves. This session flips that lens inward. Using the familiar SWOT framework (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), participants will take a focused look at their own leadership landscape: where they add value, where they struggle, and what external pressures could impact their effectiveness. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across EMS, public health, and state government, Ray Barishansky brings real-world perspective — from the back of the ambulance to the halls of Government. With a mix of candor, humor, and practicality, he guides participants through evaluating themselves as critically as they evaluate their organizations. Through interactive reflection and discussion, attendees will examine how their personal strengths and blind spots influence communication, crisis management, and team performance. We will explore how emotional intelligence, adaptability, and self-awareness translate into credibility and trust which are the foundation of effective leadership. This session will challenge leaders to apply the same strategic thinking to themselves that they expect from those they supervise and to lead from the inside out.
NYS CME: All Levels - Non-Core - Additional
Speakers
Raphael Barishansky, RMB Consulting Services, LLCPrincipalRaphael M. Barishansky is a public health and EMS leader with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of systems and agencies, with positions of increasing responsibility.
Currently an independent consultant providing his unique perspective and multi-faceted public health and EMS expertise for various organizations, his most recent position before this was as the Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, a role he recently left after several years. Prior to this position, he served as the Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) at the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Dr Barishansky holds an earned doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) from the Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University. In addition, Barishansky possesses a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Touro College, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management (MPH/HPM) from New York Medical College, and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Homeland Security Studies at Long Island University.
Dr Barishansky has been published in various journals including the American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice and the Crisis Response Journal (UK) and has presented at various state, national and international conferences
Date & Time
Friday, November 13, 2026, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
