Leading Through Change: The Power of Interim Leadership in Cancer Centers
By Adam Guttmann, General Manager (Oncology & Interim Leadership) at Epic Travel Staffing
Cancer centers thrive on precision, compassion, and teamwork. But when a key leader departs, even the most resilient teams can feel the impact. Interim leadership bridges that gap, bringing stability, experience, and vision when it’s needed most. With the right interim leader in place, cancer centers can continue delivering exceptional care while building the foundation for long-term success.
Immediate Expertise, Zero Downtime
In cancer care, there’s no room for pause. Interim leaders are seasoned experts who can step in and make an impact from day one. They’ve navigated complex hospital systems, led multidisciplinary teams, and driven improvement initiatives across oncology programs nationwide. Because they require minimal onboarding, they can quickly diagnose operational challenges, implement solutions, and keep performance strong, ensuring patients and staff never feel the disruption of transition.
Interim Leadership Brings a Fresh Perspective
Sometimes, the best way forward starts with a new lens. As outsiders, interim leaders are uniquely positioned to see what internal teams may overlook. Free from the weight of organizational history or politics, they can assess workflows objectively, realign priorities, and introduce fresh strategies that revitalize both team culture and patient outcomes. For cancer centers, that outside perspective often leads to meaningful, lasting transformation.
Protecting Your Team from Burnout
When a leadership role sits vacant, the responsibilities don’t disappear. They’re simply redistributed. The result? Overextended staff, strained morale, and increased burnout risk. Interim leadership lifts that weight. By stepping into the role immediately, interim leaders restore balance, maintain direction, and give teams the reassurance that someone capable is at the helm. This stability not only protects your people but also sustains the quality of care your patients rely on every day.
Cost-Effective Leadership That Delivers
Hiring a permanent executive can take months, and in healthcare, time is money. Interim leaders offer a smart, cost-effective solution during this critical period. They prevent operational setbacks, stabilize workflows, and ensure that revenue-driving programs stay on track. And because their role is temporary, cancer centers gain flexibility without long-term financial commitments – all while preserving high standards of care and team performance.
Seamless Transitions That Set the Stage for Success
A strong interim leader doesn’t just hold the line. They strengthen it. Beyond stabilizing day-to-day operations, they help define what success looks like for the permanent hire. They document processes, clarify leadership needs, and prepare the entire team for a smooth handoff. When the new leader arrives, the organization is ready to move forward – stronger, steadier, and more aligned than before.
The Epic Travel Staffing Approach to Interim Leadership
At Epic Travel Staffing, interim leadership isn’t just one of our offerings. It’s a dedicated division built entirely around the unique needs of interim professionals and the hospitals they serve. We cultivate lasting relationships with both clinical and non-clinical leaders who are seasoned, purpose-driven, and passionate about making a difference in their communities and within their teams.
What sets us apart is the balance we strike – not too small, not too large. Our approach combines the personal attention of a boutique firm with the scale and resources of a national organization. It’s the perfect fit for leaders who value connection and support without the overwhelm.
Our team’s mindset is simple: we provide for the providers. From travel logistics to onboarding coordination, we handle the details so our leaders can stay focused on what matters most – leading their teams, driving quality care, and making an immediate impact where it’s needed most.
Moving Forward with Strength Through Interim Leadership
Leadership transitions can be turning points for growth rather than moments of disruption. With skilled interim leadership in place, cancer centers can maintain momentum, reinforce team morale, and sustain the quality of care patients depend on. These leaders bring stability, fresh perspective, and renewed energy, transforming periods of change into opportunities for lasting progress.
Ready to strengthen your cancer center through the power of interim leadership? Reach out to Epic Travel Staffing today to learn how our experienced leaders can help your organization stay focused, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
About the Author
Adam Guttmann is the General Manager overseeing both the Interim Leadership and Oncology Staffing divisions of Epic Travel Staffing. With over a decade of experience leading niche staffing organizations since 2013, Adam is deeply passionate about bridging critical talent gaps in healthcare. His expertise lies in partnering with organizations to build high-performing teams, ensuring that the best possible staffing solutions are implemented to ultimately enhance patient care in communities nationwide. When not focused on healthcare strategy, you can find Adam cheering on his boys on the soccer field or at a park with his two mini Aussies.