On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams is joined by Doug Lewis, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Sentara Health and board member of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR).

This episode explores the continually adapting landscape of physician and provider recruitment — from shifting candidate expectations and family‑centered relocation decisions to compensation strategy, locum tenens pressure, and longer hiring timelines. Drawing on Doug’s frontline recruiting experience and national perspective through AAPPR, this conversation delivers practical insights for medical practice leaders navigating workforce shortages, competition for hard‑to‑recruit specialties, and the need for sustainable, long‑term talent strategies in 2026 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• [04:15] Recruitment decisions are now family decisions — not just physician decisions
  Successful recruitment hinges on understanding the needs of spouses, partners, and children — including employment opportunities, schools, community culture, commute times, and lifestyle fit. Practices that ignore the family experience risk losing top candidates late in the process.
• [08:58] Candidate priorities have shifted from compensation-first to lifestyle-first
  While pay still matters, physicians increasingly prioritize work‑life balance, flexibility, and nontraditional practice models. Leaders must reassess whether their care models align with today’s expectations.
• [10:58] Flexible work models like job sharing are growing — but complex to execute
  Job sharing can attract candidates seeking flexibility, but it requires operational readiness, shared patient panels, and leadership buy‑in. Practices must plan carefully to ensure continuity of care and provider alignment.
• [13:52] Hiring timelines are getting longer — and communication matters more than ever
  Increased financial scrutiny, governance layers, and cultural fit assessments are slowing decisions. Recruiters and leaders must “keep candidates warm” through transparent timelines, frequent touchpoints, and a high‑touch experience.
• [17:19] Compensation strategy must balance fairness, transparency, and sustainability
  Compensation is both art and science. Sustainable models — combining base salary, RVUs, and outcome‑based incentives — help avoid destructive bidding wars while ensuring providers feel valued and fairly paid.
• [19:15] Locum tenens use reflects deeper workforce challenges
  Rising locums rates continue to outpace permanent compensation, especially in hard‑to‑recruit specialties. Leaders should treat locums as a short‑term bridge, not a long‑term solution, while investing in proactive workforce forecasting.
• [21:04] Recruiter burnout is real — and leadership must address it
  As recruitment demands intensify, organizations must support recruiters with standardized processes, training, realistic workloads, and responsible use of AI to reduce administrative burden.
• [22:37] Strong recruiter–leader partnerships drive better workforce outcomes
  The most successful organizations treat recruitment as a strategic partnership. Sharing data, trends, and market insights empowers leaders to make informed workforce decisions — not just react to vacancies.

Resources 

• Contact Doug on LinkedIn
• Sentara Health
• Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR)
• MGMA Physician Hiring Playbooks - Member-exclusive, downloadable playbooks provide actionable insights, proven strategies, and step-by-step guidance for practice leaders.
   

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams is joined by Steve Gutzler, nationally recognized leadership expert and opening keynote speaker at the 2026 MGMA Financial Conference in Phoenix. This episode explores how emotional intelligence, stress regulation, and self‑leadership determine a leader’s true influence — especially during what Steve calls the “17% moments”: high‑pressure situations when emotions spike, decisions are harder, and leadership reputations are made or broken.

Designed for medical practice leaders, financial executives, and MGMA members, this conversation delivers practical strategies for managing emotional hijacking, leading difficult conversations, sustaining resilience during financial pressure, and setting the emotional tone for teams in healthcare’s most demanding environments.

Key Takeaways

• [02:28] What “17% Moments” Are — and Why They Matter More Than Strategy 
  Steve explains the brain science behind leadership under stress, revealing why leaders are judged less by daily performance (the “83%”) and more by how they respond when pressure peaks.
• [04:54] Why Healthcare Leaders Are Especially Vulnerable to Emotional Fatigue 
  Compassion fatigue, constant problem‑solving, and chronic stress drain emotional reserves — increasing the risk of poor decisions during critical leadership moments.
• [06:20] Recognizing Emotional Hijacking Before It Takes Over
  Physical warning signs — rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, shallow breathing, sweaty palms — signal when cortisol is overriding rational thinking.
• [10:55] The 18‑Minute Rule: How Long Emotional Hijacking Really Lasts 
  Research shows cortisol can dominate the brain for 18–20 minutes. Leaders who delay responses during this window dramatically improve decision quality and communication outcomes.
• [12:30] Calling a “Timeout” in Real‑World Leadership Conversations 
  Practical language and techniques for pausing heated meetings, deferring responses, and lowering emotional temperature without damaging trust or authority.
• [14:20] Managing Others’ Stress Through Empathy, Not Facts 
  Why listening and labeling emotions is the fastest way to de‑escalate tension — and why data alone often makes conflict worse.
• [16:33] Leading When Financial Targets Aren’t Met 
  How leaders can prepare emotionally for difficult conversations about missed numbers, maintain confidence, and lead with calm, courage, and accountability.
• [21:11] Why Leaders Set the Emotional Thermostat
  Steve’s closing insight: emotions are contagious, and emotionally intelligent leaders don’t just read the room — they regulate it.

Resources

• 2026 MGMA Financial Conference
  March 1–3, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ

• Steve's Keynote Session:
  “17% Moments: Discover the Brain Science of Emotions and High‑Performance Leadership”
  MGMA Financial Conference Opening Keynote
  Sunday, March 1 | 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.

• Steve Gutzler website
  Leadership and emotional intelligence resources

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast — Business Solutions, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams sits down with Casey Benefield, Senior Director of National Account Sales at MGMA BestPrice, and Christy Farrow, Director of Channel Partnerships at HealthTrust.

Together, they unpack how MGMA BestPrice, MGMA’s exclusive group purchasing organization (GPO), helps medical practices of all sizes reduce supply and service costs — often by double digits — without disrupting existing workflows or vendor relationships. From understanding what a GPO actually is to exploring real savings opportunities across clinical and non‑clinical categories, this conversation is designed to help medical practice leaders facing rising costs and shrinking margins make smarter purchasing decisions.

Key Takeaways 

• [02:19] What MGMA BestPrice is — and why it matters to medical practices 
  MGMA BestPrice is MGMA’s exclusive GPO, powered by HealthTrust, giving MGMA members access to health‑system–level pricing on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and services.
• [03:09] What a GPO does and how it solves a real operational problem 
  Group purchasing organizations leverage collective buying power so practices can save thousands annually on everyday essentials — without negotiating individual contracts.
• [03:58] Who MGMA BestPrice is designed for (hint: it’s not just large groups)
  Independent practices, multi‑site groups, ambulatory surgery centers, long‑term care, FQHCs, and specialty practices all benefit — regardless of size or spend.
• [08:59] Where practices see the greatest savings — beyond medical supplies
  Members save up to 20% across categories including medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, office supplies, IT, waste management, freight, travel, equipment repair, and more.
• [09:30] The biggest misconception about GPOs — and why it costs practices money
  Many practices think their distributor is their GPO. In reality, MGMA BestPrice negotiates contracts across distributors, unlocking savings without changing reps, vendors, or ordering systems.
• [12:03] Why MGMA BestPrice is different from other national GPOs 
  MGMA BestPrice uses a committed, sole‑source model and is backed by HealthTrust — the only top‑three GPO owned and operated by seven health systems.
• [14:30] How to validate savings before committing
  Practices can request a free cost analysis comparing their actual 12‑month spend against MGMA BestPrice contracts, showing exact‑match and conversion savings.
• [20:10] Real‑world impact: $25.3 million saved in one year 
  In 2025 alone, MGMA BestPrice helped more than 4,500 MGMA members save over $25.3 million.

Resources

• MGMA BestPrice (enrollment & cost analysis)
• MGMA BestPrice Phone Number
  📞 844‑234‑66462

(Enrollment is free and takes approximately two minutes. A dedicated account manager supports members throughout onboarding and beyond.)

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

This week on the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams chats with communication strategist Pamela Barnum, MPA, JD, whose undercover law‑enforcement career and time as a federal prosecutor offer a masterclass in reading people fast. Their conversation dives into those invisible layers of communication: the signals, cues, and micro‑behaviors that shape trust long before words do.

Barnum breaks down her 3D Communication Framework (Display, Decode, Deliver), offering actionable strategies to defuse conflict, sharpen communication, improve team connection, and manage the rise in disruptive behavior in healthcare environments. This episode also previews her keynote at next month's MGMA Financial Conference.

Key Takeaways

• [06:08] Understanding the real weight of nonverbal communication
  Barnum explains why the old “7% rule” is misleading — but why nonverbal cues (tone, cadence, pauses, presence) still drive the majority of how trust is built in clinical and leadership conversations.
• [08:50] Combatting time pressure and distraction in healthcare settings 
  Barnum highlights behaviors — like checking a watch, reaching for a door, or multitasking — that unintentionally signal disengagement, and how leaders can stay fully present without adding time to already packed schedules.
• [12:25] The 3D Communication Framework: Display, Decode, Deliver 
  Learn why healthcare leaders must master these three skills to reduce misunderstandings, strengthen relationships, and influence outcomes during team discussions, patient encounters, or financial presentations.
• [14:45] How to project calm confidence in emotionally charged moments
  Practical strategies for slowing down, regulating your tone, and signaling psychological safety when conversations escalate — essential for leaders managing staff issues or patient complaints.
• [17:03] Leaning into difficult conversations instead of avoiding them 
  Avoidance leads to repeated problems. Barnum shares tactics for addressing conflict directly yet respectfully — without the inauthentic “compliment sandwich.”
• [21:09] How experts truly read behavior (and what not to assume)
  Barnum explains why isolated gestures (like “looking left means lying”) are myths — and why patterns, context, and behavioral shifts are the real indicators of meaning.
• [24:27] Barnum’s #1 tactic for slowing the moment and de‑escalating conflict
  A simple, 2–3 second intentional pause — along with controlled breathing — can shift the energy of a conversation, build trust, and prevent escalation.

Resources Mentioned
 
MGMA Events

• MGMA Financial Conference
  Pamela Barnum, keynote
  “Crack the Code: 3D Communication Strategies for Powerful Results”
  Tuesday, March 3 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Phoenix, AZ

Books, Shows & Media Referenced

• Rush (1991 film) (film adaptation of an undercover narcotics operation) 
• Rush (author, Kim Wozencraft)
• The Wire (TV series)
• NYPD Blue (TV series)
• Lie to Me (TV series based on Dr. Paul Ekman's research) 
• Narcos (based on the life of DEA agent Steve Murphy)
• Paul Ekman Group (research on facial behavior & deception detection) 

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams sits down with returning guest Amy Lafko — MGMA consultant, speaker, creator of the People First Method, and author of People First.  Amy shares practical, immediately usable strategies for medical practice leaders navigating 2026’s rapidly shifting regulatory landscape, workforce challenges, and rising emotional strain within healthcare teams.

From strengthening adaptability to reinventing onboarding, Amy delivers a toolkit that helps leaders build environments where teams feel supported, patients receive better care, and organizations thrive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• (00:53) Amy’s healthcare leadership background shapes her "people first" philosophy — Beginning as a physical therapist and later serving in rehab, hospital, urgent care, and medical group leadership roles, Amy’s firsthand failures and successes inform her mission to help leaders avoid burnout and build thriving teams. 
• (02:00) Adaptability is the #1 leadership skill for 2026 — With regulatory uncertainty and fast‑changing payer environments, leaders must intentionally build their “capacity to adapt.” Adaptability is learnable and essential.
• (03:36) Productive conflict should be trained at all levels, not just leadership — Teaching frontline staff to resolve issues reduces managerial burden and increases team cohesion. Practices that invest here see faster self‑resolution and fewer escalations.
• (05:20) Rising frustration is being mistaken for “more conflict” — Most conflicts aren’t actually new; people’s emotional set point is simply higher due to uncertainty. Leaders must help teams regulate emotions to reduce escalations. 
• (08:03) The People First Method flips the traditional patient‑first mindset — Leaders shouldn’t bypass their teams to “get to the patient.” Supporting the team is what ensures outstanding patient care. 
• (10:19) Onboarding must shift from task‑checking to “alignment and inspiration” — Traditional onboarding (e.g., first‑day EMR videos) disconnects new hires. People‑First onboarding welcomes, aligns with values, personalizes training, and boosts long‑term retention.
• (12:26) Weekly check‑ins using five simple questions transform new‑hire success — Quick meetings built around consistent reflection and support help new hires feel connected, confident, and aligned from day one.
• (13:53) People‑first cultures start with one deceptively simple factor: willingness — Willingness to invest time up front, to be consistent, and to level‑set leaders across the organization.

RESOURCES 

Amy Lafko

• Amy Lafko's website
• People First: A Method for Developing Leadership and Team Culture - book

MGMA

• Medical Practice Staffing Solutions Playbook
• Medical Practice Staff Onboarding Playbook
• Human Resources Management Certificate
• Human Resources resources

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams sits down with Aaqil Khan, RCM consultant at Collectly, to uncover the “sneaky metrics” hiding inside your revenue cycle. These overlooked indicators can quietly erode patient collections, increase costs, and create friction in the patient financial experience. 

Aaqil brings deep experience in healthcare administration, Six Sigma process improvement, analytics, and revenue cycle leadership to show practice leaders where the real problems hide — and how to solve them using clearer ownership, automation, better data definitions, and patient‑centric design.

Key Takeaways 

• [02:13] Aaqil Khan’s background
  How he shifted from a planned medical career to healthcare administration and revenue cycle leadership.
• [08:13] The importance of estimate accuracy
  Bad estimates create bill shock and lower collection rates.
• [09:32] Why critical revenue cycle KPIs fall through the cracks
  Competing priorities, systems issues, and fragmented ownership.
• [15:01] "Sneaky metrics" and patient collection rate pitfalls
  “Good” numbers hide deeper conversion problems.
• [17:40] Impactful patient experience and payment reform
   Patient experience and frictionless payments directly influence collection performance and loyalty.
• [21:47] The hidden story inside patient AR days and patient inquiry volume
  A diagnostic metric you’re probably overlooking.
• [26:15] Looking ahead
  The future of digital payments, automation, and behavioral analytics for patient financial engagement

Resources 

• Contact Aaquil on LinkedIn
• Collectly 
• MGMA Revenue Cycle Management Resources
• “All the Queen’s Horses” documentary on Amazon Prime 
  (Local scandal of Rita Crundwell mentioned in Aaquil's introduction)

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and Host Daniel Williams welcomes Christy Bray, MHA, CPRP‑DEI, Chief Customer Officer at PracticeLink and host of the Workforce Wisdom podcast. As MGMA kicks off 2026 with a month‑long focus on workforce issues — recruitment, retention, culture, and onboarding — Christy brings decades of experience in physician and provider recruitment to share what’s changed, what’s trending, and what today’s medical practice leaders must do to stay competitive.

From early‑career job search behavior and shrinking talent pools to recruitment marketing, job board strategy, DEI’s role in matching candidates to communities, and the impact of technology and AI, Christy offers tactical and strategic insights that can immediately help MGMA members strengthen their workforce pipelines.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

“Recruitment finds you.” – Christy Bray on her path into the field

[01:56] Christy shares her origins in orthopedics, sports medicine, and hospital leadership — and why most recruiters arrive via nontraditional paths.

The biggest change: Candidates commit much earlier

[03:26] Residents and fellows now begin searching 12–18 months before completion — and some even sign on match day, cutting traditional recruitment windows dramatically.
Why every job must be posted — and posted correctly

[08:50] Christy explains why job visibility, keyword optimization, and clear role descriptions are essential for search engines and AI‑driven job discovery.

Targeted outreach beats the “shotgun approach”

[09:58] Mass‑messaging “10,000 people” leads to unsubscribes. Christy outlines how to curate small, qualified candidate pools — and measure success through open rate, CTR, and text‑to‑contact options.

Recruitment is a long game — and budget fears slow down patient access

[10:56] With the talent pool “shrinking rapidly,” practices must prepare for longer vacancies and avoid hesitating on locums support.

Essential 2026 trends: uncertainty, reduced teams, and tech‑forward recruiting

[12:40] Hiring teams are “stretched,” some dismantled entirely. Geo‑targeting, small high‑ROI advertising tactics, and hybrid old/new recruitment strategies (postcards + digital ads) are key.

Strategic plans start with a workforce inventory

[14:44] Christy’s pantry analogy: Practices must know their provider counts, ages, FTE loads, and retirement risks. Many older clinicians work at “1.5 to 2.5 FTE,” meaning replacement calculations require multiplying needs.

DEI certification isn’t performative — it’s about fit and retention

[24:13] Christy explains the CPRP‑DEI credential and why diversity and representation matter in recruitment: “Access to care is limited if somebody doesn’t speak your language or doesn’t look like you.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Christy Bray on LinkedIn
• PracticeLink
• Association for Advancing Physician & Provider Recruitment (AAPPR)
  (CPRP‑DEI certification organization)

Christy Bray's Podcasts:

• Workforce Wisdom with Christy Bray
  (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts)
• Surviving and Thriving in Residency

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and Host Daniel Williams chats with Jessica Minesinger, founder and CEO of Surgical Compensation and Consulting, about some of the most pressing challenges facing medical practice leaders in 2026. From physician shortages and recruitment hurdles to compensation transparency and organizational culture, Jessica shares actionable strategies to help practices attract and retain top talent while fostering trust and engagement.

If you’re a medical practice leader looking to start the year strong, this conversation is packed with insights you can put into practice today.

Key Takeaways

• [02:19] Physician Shortage and Its Impact
  Why bridging the gap between physicians and employers is critical to addressing supply-and-demand challenges in healthcare. 
• [07:07] Recruitment Roadblocks in 2026
  Common pitfalls in physician recruitment—such as over-reliance on guaranteed compensation—and how to avoid them. 
• [12:39] Aligning Fit Beyond Compensation
  The importance of upfront conversations about work-life balance, leadership opportunities, and organizational culture to ensure long-term retention. 
• [16:50] The Vulnerable Transition Period
  Why the shift from guaranteed salary to productivity-based models can lead to dissatisfaction—and how proactive planning can prevent it. 
• [19:55] Communication is Culture
  How transparency and frequent dialogue about compensation strengthen trust and engagement within your organization.
• [21:50] Back to Basics: Common Sense in Compensation
  Engaging with the "Golden Rule"—administrators should think about whether they'd be comfortable with the compensation package offered. 
• [23:43] MGMA Data Trends for 2026
  Insights from MGMA’s latest research: patient encounters are up, RVUs are stagnant—what this means for compensation strategies. 

Resources 

• Contact Jessica on LinkedIn
• Surgical Compensation and Consulting
• MGMA & Jackson Physician Search Research Report (2025)
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Conferences

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

In this special New Year’s Eve episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams looks back at three of the most impactful conversations from 2025. These highlights focus on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing medical practice leaders today:

• Finding and keeping good people through strategic recruitment and retention.
• Choosing tools and technology that solve real problems without adding complexity.
• Supporting clinician and staff well-being to prevent burnout and improve care.

Whether you’re revisiting these discussions or hearing them for the first time, you’ll find actionable insights to help you build a stronger, more resilient practice in 2026. We here at MGMA wish you a very happy new year!

Key Highlights

• [01:05] Liz Mahan on Strategic Recruitment and Retention
  Liz Mahan from Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR) explains why recruitment is more tactical than process-driven and how practices can create a strategic playbook to attract and retain top talent. She shares practical tips for identifying the ideal candidate, aligning recruitment with organizational culture, and planning timelines to reduce turnover. 
• [08:33] Julia Rosen on Building Sustainable Tech Infrastructure
  Julia Rosen, Senior Vice President of IT at MGMA, discusses how practices can avoid chasing tech buzzwords and instead focus on solving real problems like documentation burden. She offers advice on managing legacy systems, migrating data effectively, and implementing cybersecurity strategies to protect patient information. 
• [16:29] Dr. Michael Blackman on AI and Reducing Burnout
  Dr. Michael Blackman, Chief Medical Officer at Greenway Health, explores how AI tools can serve as assistants rather than replacements, helping clinicians reduce documentation time and improve accuracy. He explains how ambient documentation solutions work and why adopting technology wisely can ease pressures that lead to burnout. 

Related Resources 

• Liz Mahan, Julia Rosen, & Michael Blackman on LinkedIn.
• AAPPR Recruitment Resources
• Greenway Clinical Assist
• MGMA Human Resources Insights
• MGMA Technology Resources

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams talks with Carol Ittig, MBA, FACMPE, Practice Administrator at Children’s Orthopedics and Scoliosis Surgery Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carol shares her journey from healthcare administration student to influential leader, and how adopting a go-giver philosophy has shaped her approach to leadership, mentorship, and innovation.

Key Takeaways 

• [03:35] Carol’s Path to Healthcare Leadership
  Carol’s career pivot and how early experiences in patient care sparked her passion for health care leadership. 
• [07:35] Why Networking is Non-Negotiable
  How leveraging MGMA and other professional networks enabled Carol to launch new initiatives like research programs and a foundation. 
• [07:49] The Power of Mentorship
  Lessons from her mentor Debbie Mitchell — setting boundaries, embracing authenticity, and saying yes to growth opportunities.
• [10:49] The Go-Giver Philosophy in Action
  Carol explains the five laws from The Go-Giver and how they translate into leadership in medical practices. 
• [18:12] Solving Payer Challenges Through Collaboration
  How Carol’s orthopedic billing listserv uncovered a nationwide claims denial issue — and the steps taken to resolve $50,000 in denied claims.
• [21:07] AI and Prior Authorization: What Leaders Need to Know
  Insights into emerging AI-driven payer edits and practical tips for navigating prior authorization hurdles.
• [27:49] Navigating MGMA Resources Efficiently
  Carol’s “secret sauce” for staying informed about MGMA programs without getting lost in the website. 

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Carol Ittig on LinkedIn
• Orthopedic Executives Association (AOE)
• CHORTHO Cares Foundation
• The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
• MGMA Membership 
• MGMA Mentor Program
• If you're interested in joining the MGMA Book Club, reach out to Daniel at [email protected].

Podcast Sponsor MGMA BestPrice
Managing your supply chain doesn’t have to be complicated. MGMA BestPrice — the exclusive GPO for MGMA members — can help your practice save up to 20% on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, office essentials, employee perks, waste management and more. This free national member benefit connects you to some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, helping every dollar saved become a dollar reinvested into better patient care and stronger operations. Learn how to start saving today at mgmabestprice.org.