I founded the Malpractice Insurance & Clinical Risk Management Academy to bring my years of experience into real-life scenarios that young physicians can learn from.

Patients and their families come to healthcare systems with world-class reputations carrying very high expectations. But the truth is, those expectations cannot always be met. When they aren’t, frustration often turns into allegations and sometimes claims.

Young physicians are especially vulnerable in these moments. They haven’t been in the massive healthcare machine for long, and often don’t know how to report, who to report to, or how to navigate the politics involved. These gaps leave them exposed at the very time they should be focused on growing their skills and caring for patients.

My Academy exists to close that gap—equipping physicians with the knowledge, confidence, and clarity to protect themselves while delivering the best care possible.

Through the Malpractice Insurance & Clinical Risk Management Academy, I’ve made it my mission to help young physicians:

• Understand their malpractice insurance and career implications.
• Respond with confidence to angry or threatening patients.
• Insulate themselves through smart documentation and best practices.
• Develop clarity in managing difficult situations before they escalate.

My goal is simple: to empower the next generation of physicians to step into practice with resilience, confidence, and peace of mind. Medicine is too important for them to learn these lessons only after a crisis.

Why Malpractice Education Belongs in Residency & Fellowship

Background
Residents and fellows often assume malpractice insurance is “covered” by their employer. However, studies consistently show trainees are directly named in claims, and knowledge gaps leave them unprepared to navigate coverage types, tail obligations, and long-term risk.

The Evidence

• Residents are sued. Malpractice claims data demonstrate that trainees are frequently named in lawsuits, underscoring the need for proactive education. (Singh et al., JAMA Intern Med, 2007)
• Liability education is missing. JAMA highlights that malpractice exposure is real in GME, yet formal instruction is inconsistent. (Kachalia, JAMA, 2004)
• Risk is predictable. Physicians with one paid claim are far more likely to face future claims — early risk management training can alter this trajectory. (Hyman et al., JAMA Health Forum, 2023)
• Certain behaviors matter. NEJM data show a small percentage of physicians account for a large share of malpractice payouts. Training residents in communication, documentation, and systems awareness helps prevent falling into this high-risk group. (Studdert et al., NEJM, 2016)

Conclusion
Malpractice education isn’t about legal technicalities — it’s about preparing physicians to safeguard their careers, reduce risk, and practice with confidence. Programs that embed this training give their graduates a lasting professional advantage.

Instructor Bio

Michael Tekely brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to medical professional liability insurance, shaped by over 20 years as a business development manager and professional in the malpractice insurance industry, working across three different insurance companies, plus 5+ years as a Clinical Risk Manager at Duke University Health System. I maintain an active Property & Casualty Insurance License in North Carolina.

What sets Michael apart is the depth of his frontline experience investigating medical malpractice claims. Throughout his career, he has interviewed hundreds of patients and clinicians to gather facts surrounding allegations of wrongdoing, providing him with intimate knowledge of how medical incidents unfold and how they’re perceived by all parties involved. He has read and analyzed thousands of medical records, becoming deeply versed in medical practices, terminology, and clinical decision-making across virtually every specialty.

This extensive case work has given Michael a front-row seat to both the worst and best of humanity—witnessing the profound anguish of families facing unexpected outcomes, observing physicians burdened by allegations without merit, and seeing the complex interplay between patient expectations and medical realities. He understands the deep frustration that arises when patients and families don’t fully grasp how complex medical systems and treatments operate, and how this lack of understanding often fuels malpractice claims.

Michael’s experience extends beyond individual cases to systemic oversight, having worked with hospital safety committees that evaluate medical devices and authorize their use, giving him insight into institutional risk management and quality improvement processes. His keen ability to frame a physician’s claim history ensures that physicians are not unfairly judged based on claim frequency alone—he understands the complex factors influencing malpractice trials, including expert witnesses, jury selection, defense counsel quality, and jurisdictional nuances.

Michael has also successfully led a team of five business development professionals across North Carolina and Virginia, fostering collaboration and driving results in competitive markets. His commitment to excellence earned him top sales honors in two separate years—recognition that reflects not only performance, but also his ability to develop and support others in achieving shared goals. He is deeply passionate about educating physicians, having seen many make career-altering decisions based on inadequate information. Since academic medical institutions rarely provide adequate malpractice education, he is committed to bridging this knowledge gap to help healthcare providers make informed, strategic choices about liability risk and insurance.

Course Introduction

This course is designed for Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs to provide early-career physicians with essential knowledge about medical malpractice insurance. It covers risk types, policy structures, real-world claims handling, and practical steps to minimize liability exposure throughout a physician’s career.

Disclaimer and Introduction

The information presented in this course is not legal advice, nor is it intended to serve as legal counsel in any form. I am not an attorney, and nothing herein should be interpreted as offering legal guidance.

This course is designed to help physicians and surgeons make informed decisions about their medical professional liability insurance. My insights are rooted in over 20 years of experience advising healthcare providers on malpractice insurance, including five and a half years in clinical risk management at Duke University Health System.

Throughout my career, I’ve earned the trust of my clients by making the most appropriate recommendations—even when it did not result in new business. I viewed my role as an extension of the healing profession: helping those who have committed their lives to caring for others. That, in my view, is a mission worth serving.

This course is a reflection of that commitment—to provide unbiased, experience-based guidance to support the medical professionals who carry the weight of caring for patients every day.

This course is a reflection of that commitment—to provide unbiased, experience-based guidance to support the medical professionals who carry the weight of caring for patients every day.