Concern over the rising cost of health care — projected to eat up $4.6 trillion by 2020 — has led to cost control measures in the Affordable Care Act. These containment methods may force area hospital systems to find a way to persuade their physicians to take an interest in executive leadership. And that could save businesses and their employees money. UTMB is finishing up the first year of its Leadership Academy. The program runs 12 months, with doctors participating in formal education for four hours each month. In addition to helping the system, doctors who participate are also creating more opportunities to give themselves a career boost, said Dr. Steve Quach, president of the academy and chief medical officer at UTMB. “We’re seeing more and more, if you look at job listings, more are saying a degree is preferred,” Quach said. “I don’t think we’ll see people without MD’s being phased out, but more MDs with MBAs are filling these roles. From the perspective of a health care organization, instead of having a physician and pairing them with an MBA, if you have an MD with an MBA, you can reduce cost.” [Note: Paid subscription required.]