In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams speaks with Justin McMartin, Director of Product Innovation at Surescripts, about one of the most important developments in U.S. healthcare interoperability: TEFCA and Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs). They dig into what TEFCA is (and isn’t), how QHINs operate, what Surescripts is doing as a newly approved QHIN, and — most importantly — how practice leaders can use these tools to improve clinical decision-making, streamline workflows, reduce prior authorization pain, and support value-based care.

Justin’s insights translate a deeply technical topic into clear, practice-oriented guidance that helps healthcare administrators understand what’s changing, how it impacts their clinicians, and what steps they should take now.

Key Takeaways 

• Justin’s background & the evolution of Surescripts beyond e-prescribing
  00:58 — From EHR implementation during Meaningful Use to building national data exchange networks.
• What Surescripts offers medical practices today
  02:45 — Eligibility, medication history, real-time benefit tools, clinical messaging, record locator/exchange.
• TEFCA explained: Why it exists and what it solves
  04:59 — Preventing fragmented, state-by-state frameworks by establishing a single national standard.
• QHINs & the Sequoia Project’s role as RCE
  06:08 — How QHINs govern secure, standardized data exchange nationwide.
• How Surescripts participates: InterConnect & QHIN approval
  07:33 — Surescripts’ new QHIN subsidiary and what it means for practice connectivity.
• Scope of data available: Billions of clinical documents exchanged
  08:39 — How Carequality volume and TEFCA adoption are converging.
• What TEFCA adds to existing practice workflows
  10:33 — Access to CCDAs across care settings, improving completeness at the point of care.
• Practical use cases for clinicians and practice managers
  12:33 — ED episodes, chronic disease management, and value-based care coordination.
• Why practices hesitate: Awareness, education, and workflow clarity
  14:54 — Adoption barriers and how vendors can support practices.
• Action steps for practice leaders
  17:44 — Review InterConnect resources, understand state exchanges, and incorporate patient feedback on data access.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• Surescripts
• The Sequoia Project (TEFCA RCE)

In this inspiring bonus episode of the MGMA Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 MGMA Leaders Conference in Orlando, Senior Editor Daniel Williams sits down with Delores McNair—speaker, mentor, and longtime MGMA leader—who brings her trademark energy and authenticity to a conversation about leadership, mentorship, and human connection in healthcare.

Delores McNair shares what fuels her continued engagement with MGMA, from mentoring and speaking to leading the MGMA Book Club community. She reflects on the power of authentic leadership, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and why MGMA conferences offer more than education—they build connection.

Highlights from this episode:
How mentorship through MGMA helps leaders grow and give back
The value of authentic leadership and building a personal brand
Lessons from the MGMA Book Club and continuous learning
Networking vs. connecting: why real relationships matter

Reflections on MGMA’s 1920s-themed gala and the joy of community
If you’re passionate about healthcare leadership, professional development, and authentic connection, this conversation will leave you inspired.

Subscribe to the MGMA Podcast for more interviews with healthcare innovators and leaders shaping the future of medical practice management.

#MGMA #HealthcareLeadership #LeadersConference #Mentorship #AuthenticLeadership #MedicalPracticeManagement

In this episode, Sr. Editor and host of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Daniel Williams, MBA, MSEM, sits down with Macy Dotty, Clinic Director of Interventional Pain, Neurology, Urology, and Visiting Specialists at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minnesota — and one of MGMA’s 2025 Future Five Award winners.

Macy shares her unconventional entry into healthcare during the early days of COVID, how growing up in rural Minnesota shaped her leadership approach, and how her team cut wait times from 54 days to just over 10 without adding staff. She also reflects on what it means to be honored as a Future Five leader and what excites her most about the future of healthcare.

This episode is full of actionable insights for medical practice leaders, especially those working in rural and resource-constrained environments.

Key Takeaways

Starting a Healthcare Career During the Pandemic Built Adaptability and Resourcefulness (05:43)
Macy entered healthcare in the spring of 2020 with no traditional onboarding, learning instead through immersion, curiosity, and creative problem-solving — skills that continue to shape her leadership.

How a “Small but Mighty” Critical Access Hospital Serves a Large Rural Region (15:18)
CRMC sits in a town of 2,300 but serves 50,000–60,000 patients across rural Minnesota, performing more than 10,000 surgeries a year. Macy explains why patients drive past larger systems to receive care there.

Managing Seasonal Patient Shifts: Coordinating Care for Snowbirds (17:23)
Macy outlines how her team tracks which patients winter in other states, ensures continuity of care, prevents unnecessary follow-up outreach, and keeps partner providers informed.

Cutting Wait Times from 54 Days to 10 with Data, Templates & Team Alignment (21:05)
Rather than adding staff, Macy’s team redesigned provider schedules, room utilization, and workflows — dramatically expanding access and improving patient outcomes.

Leadership That Drives >99th Percentile Engagement Scores (24:56)
Macy prioritizes visibility, staff autonomy, psychological safety, and genuine personal connection. Her approach empowers teams to solve problems and care for patients more effectively.

Innovation + Policy Awareness Will Shape the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders (26:54) Future leaders must embrace creative problem-solving, partnership-building, technology, and an active understanding of state/local legislation impacting care delivery.

Bonus: A Disney First-Timer? Planning Orlando Travel as a Minnesotan (28:09)
Macy hopes to turn her upcoming Orlando trip into her fiancé’s first-ever Disney experience — if she can persuade him.

Resources Mentioned

• Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat

In this bonus episode of the MGMA Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 MGMA Leaders Conference in Orlando, Senior Editor Daniel Williams speaks with Maryann Kawaksheh, who traveled all the way from Qatar to attend.

Maryann shares her remarkable journey from Alabama to Qatar, where she helped build a greenfield hospital from the ground up. She discusses the similarities and differences between U.S. and international healthcare systems, how benchmarking and MGMA membership have been vital to her work abroad, and why networking is her biggest takeaway from the Leaders Conference.

Key themes from this episode:
Building a women’s and children’s hospital in Qatar
The role of benchmarking and MGMA resources in global healthcare leadership
Similarities in ambulatory care challenges across countries
How AI is shaping healthcare leadership while emphasizing the human connection
Why ongoing leadership training and networking are essential for growth

If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to the MGMA Podcast for more insights from healthcare leaders across the globe.
#MGMA #HealthcareLeadership #LeadersConference #AIinHealthcare #GlobalHealthcare

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Mitchell Ramsey, CHFP, CRCR, TMS Clinical Coordinator at Psychiatry Associates of Tallahassee and one of MGMA’s 2025 Future Five Award honorees. Mitchell shares how his journey from lacrosse coach to mental health professional shaped his empathetic, patient-first approach to care. He discusses innovations in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment, improving patient intake systems, navigating payer relationships, and the broader movement to destigmatize mental health care. 

This episode offers actionable insights for practice leaders looking to improve coordination of care, streamline administrative processes, and strengthen patient engagement.

Episode Takeaways

• (02:58) From Coaching to Caregiving: A Path to Mental Health
  Mitchell describes his unique journey from coaching lacrosse to pursuing mental health care after realizing the power of psychological support in athletic performance.
• (04:56) Inside the TMS Clinic
  He breaks down what transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is — an FDA-approved neuromodulation therapy for depression, OCD, and other conditions — and shares how his small but dedicated team operates within a larger psychiatric practice.
• (07:43) Transforming the Patient Intake & Onboarding Experience
  Mitchell details how he redesigned his clinic’s intake process — shifting from a standardized script to a storytelling-based, empathy-driven approach that helps patients feel understood and supported from the start.
• (09:56) Building Better Payer Relationships
  He explains how open communication and proactive collaboration with insurers reduced prior authorization delays from two to three weeks down to a few days, demonstrating how strong provider–payer relationships improve access to care.
• (11:07) Data-Driven Advocacy for Mental Health
  Mitchell shares how his team’s partnership with BrainsWay, a TMS device manufacturer, has contributed to expanding FDA approval for broader age ranges — underscoring how community practices can influence national treatment accessibility.
• (12:58) Community Partnerships Through NAMI
  Mitchell’s collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) ensures that patients who can’t afford care still receive peer-to-peer mental health support, embodying a comprehensive approach to community wellness.
• (15:33) The Future of Mental Health Care
  He envisions a continued reduction in stigma, deeper integration of mental health across all specialties, and more open acknowledgment of emotional well-being in patient conversations.
• (20:42) Advice for Small Practice Leaders
  Mitchell encourages administrators to remember that “every contribution matters” — reminding listeners that small practices can have large, lasting impacts on the future of healthcare.

 Resources Mentioned

• MGMA Future Five Awards - Learn more about MGMA’s program honoring early-career healthcare leaders.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Explore peer-to-peer programs and mental health advocacy resources.
• BrainsWay TMS Therapy – Learn about transcranial magnetic stimulation and its FDA-approved uses for depression and OCD.

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, sits down with Tony Stajduhar, President, and Neal Waters, Regional Vice President of Recruiting, Jackson Physician Search, to discuss insights from the new research report From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early Career Physician Loyalty and Retention.

The conversation explores how healthcare leaders can strengthen physician relationships beyond the recruitment phase — from pre-boarding and onboarding to long-term engagement. Tony and Neal share actionable strategies to close the gap between administrative expectations and physician realities, emphasizing culture, communication, and connection as key drivers of retention and satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

• Bridging the Expectation Gap (1:39)
  Nearly 60% of physicians leave their first job within three years, yet administrators expect six-year tenures. This misalignment reveals a critical need for better communication and expectation-setting during recruitment and onboarding.
• Spotting Red Flags Early (3:57)
  Engagement is a strong indicator of longevity. Lack of participation in staff events, community involvement, or peer engagement can signal an at-risk physician.
• Generational Shifts in Retention (09:44)
  Newer physicians approach employment differently than past generations. They expect employers to prove that a practice is worth their long-term commitment, rather than assuming loyalty from the start.
• The Power of Pre-boarding (11:09)
  Relationship-building begins before day one. Consistent communication — such as assigning mentors, sending local updates, or small welcome gestures — keeps new hires connected and prevents cold feet during long start-date gaps.
• Compensation Gets Them In, Culture Keeps Them There (18:10)
  Financial packages may attract candidates, but organizational culture — where physicians feel heard, valued, and connected — is what sustains engagement.
• Establishing Feedback Loops That Work (22:25)
  Effective feedback systems pair structured mentorship (monthly check-ins) with informal peer relationships, ensuring physicians have safe spaces to share concerns before they escalate.
• Culture as a Retention Engine (25:34)
  A thriving culture is personal, not transactional. When physicians feel known as individuals — not employee numbers — they’re more likely to stay and invest in the organization’s success.
• Action Step for Leaders (29:19)
  Administrators should “put themselves in physicians’ shoes,” understanding their personal and professional motivations to create environments where physicians feel supported and seen.

Resources mentioned:

• Full Report: From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early Career Physician Loyalty and Retention
• Jackson Physician Search resources
• More MGMA Insights podcast episodes

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, senior editor at MGMA, welcomes Idalis McPhail, practice administrator at Fairfax Pediatric Associates and one of MGMA’s 2025 Future Five Award winners. With a background that spans from bedside nursing to executive administration, McPhail shares her journey of bridging clinical and administrative leadership, fostering unity across departments, and implementing evidence-based safety and workflow improvements. Listeners will gain practical insights into building communication, strengthening patient experience, and leading change in long-standing healthcare organizations.

Key Takeaways

[02:34] – Recognition and Mentorship
Idalis describes the surprise and excitement of receiving her MGMA Future Five Award and how MGMA resources and mentorship accelerated her professional growth as a new practice administrator.

[05:11] – Career Evolution: CNA to Administrator
Her transition from clinical roles to leadership positions taught her the importance of empathy, teamwork, and leadership’s impact on both patient outcomes and staff morale.

[06:09] – Inside Fairfax Pediatric Associates
Fairfax Pediatric Associates—serving Northern Virginia for nearly 60 years—includes three locations, 80 staff, and offers care ranging from pediatrics to ADHD and mental health services as part of the Trusted Doctors network.

[09:30] – Speaking a Common Language: Clinical Meets Administrative
McPhail explains how she united departments by defining the patient experience as a shared goal—covering every touchpoint from insurance verification through follow-up care.

[11:23] – Leading a Culture of Safety
Her infection-control initiative began with observation and staff education. By focusing on the “why” behind safety standards, McPhail built buy-in and accountability, reducing employee sick days and patient cross-contamination.

[13:50] – Sustaining Quality through Engagement
Monthly “secret shopper” audits keep infection-control practices consistent, reinforcing awareness without creating a punitive culture.

[17:14] – Mentorship and Collaboration Across Roles
Transitioning from nurse manager to administrator required humility, curiosity, and asking direct reports for insight. McPhail emphasizes showing how operational decisions affect patient outcomes to motivate staff from all backgrounds.

[19:33] – Redefining Impact: Taking Care of the Caregivers
Moving into administration expanded McPhail’s impact—now supporting both patients and the 80 employees who care for them through operational efficiency, fiscal stability, and workplace culture.

[21:55] – Thriving Amid Change
McPhail views healthcare’s constant evolution as a learning opportunity, encouraging leaders to collaborate, stay adaptable, and embrace innovation with confidence and curiosity.

 Resources: 

• Idalis McPhair on LinkedIn
• Fairfax Pediatric Associates
• MGMA Awards 
• Trusted Doctors Network

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, interviews Sean Nguyen, MHA, the 2025 Harwick Innovation Award winner and System Director of the Interventional Pain Service Line at Ochsner Health.

Nguyen shares how his “One Reason for Visit” model revolutionized multidisciplinary care for patients with back pain by breaking down silos, improving patient access, and creating a coordinated, scalable system across a 45-hospital network. He also reflects on his Louisiana roots, how his experience with FEMA during Hurricane Katrina shaped his healthcare leadership, and how collaboration drives sustainable innovation.

Tune in to learn how Nguyen’s approach can help your practice enhance care coordination, streamline scheduling, and improve patient satisfaction — no matter your size or specialty.

Key Takeaways

[01:36] – Winning the Harwick Innovation Award
Sean shares the story behind receiving the Harwick Innovation Award and credits his Ochsner team’s collective effort in transforming care delivery.

[03:11] – About Ochsner Health’s System-Wide Reach
Sean provides an overview of Ochsner Health’s 45-hospital system, spanning Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, emphasizing the organization’s focus on innovation, collaboration, and excellence in care.
[05:40] – Roots in Louisiana and a Passion for Community
Growing up “down the bayou” in Houma, Louisiana, as the son of Vietnamese immigrants, Sean learned the value of family and community. After Hurricane Katrina, his work with FEMA in recovery and behavioral health inspired his career in healthcare leadership. 

[11:22] – Breaking Down Silos in Patient Care
Nguyen explains how fragmented care for patients with back pain led to the development of the “One Reason for Visit” model — streamlining access and ensuring consistent triage regardless of specialty or location. 

[15:46] – Implementation: Building Collaboration Across Systems
Sean details how his team partnered with Epic and clinical leaders to connect decision trees across specialties, standardize initial visits, and gain clinician buy-in through transparent communication and trust-building.

[20:45] – Buy-in, Measurable Results, and Patient Impact
The initiative reduced wait times, expanded same-day availability, and boosted patient satisfaction. Nguyen also notes culture change as one of the most meaningful outcomes, as teams embraced shared goals over silos.

[29:35] – Scaling the Model to Chronic Disease Management
Sean outlines opportunities to apply the “One Reason for Visit” framework to chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, joint pain, and women’s health — emphasizing the need for both top-down and grassroots collaboration.

[34:13] – Innovation Through Teamwork
Drawing inspiration from his Avengers pin, Sean compares his multidisciplinary team to superheroes — each with unique strengths working together for patients’ benefit.

Resources from this episode:

• Sean Nguyen on LinkedIn
• Ochsner Health
• 2025 MGMA Award Winners 
• MGMA Insights Podcast Network

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, sits down with Michelle Mainord, Practice Administrator at Cookeville Gynecology in Tennessee and winner of the 2025 ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year Award. Michelle shares her remarkable journey from nurse to administrator, the lessons learned in leadership, and how mentorship and certification programs like ACMPE strengthen the future of healthcare management.

Listeners will gain insights into how medical practice leaders can balance professional development, mentorship, and the day-to-day demands of running a practice — all while building community and advancing excellence in healthcare management.

Episode Takeaways

[02:09] — Connecting in Person: Why MGMA Conferences Matter
Daniel and Michelle chat about the excitement of attending the MGMA Leaders Conference in Orlando (held Sept. 28-Oct. 1), the energy of being surrounded by peers, and the difference between virtual connections and face-to-face learning. Michelle reflects on attending the MGMA Private Practice Conference in Minnesota earlier this year.
[05:14] — Cookeville, Tennessee: A Regional Hub for Women’s Health
Michelle introduces listeners to Cookeville. At Cookeville Gynecology, her team provides specialized care for patients who often travel an hour or more for services. She describes the pride of working in a regional practice that blends small-town connection with big-city standards of care. 

[6:19] — From Nurse to Administrator: Bridging the Clinical and Business Sides of Healthcare
Michelle shares her transition story from clinical nurse to administrator, explaining how cross-training and empathy between front- and back-office teams foster stronger, more efficient practices.

[7:34] — Launching and Growing a Physician-Owned Practice
Hear how Michelle helped build Cookeville Gynecology from a single-physician practice to a thriving six-provider clinic serving more than 20,000 patients across a 14-county region.
[8:08] — Bridging the Front and Back Office Divide
 Michelle reflects on the transition from nurse to administrator, noting that tension often exists between clinical and front-office teams. She explains how her clinical background helped her bridge that gap, foster collaboration through cross-training, and guide change with empathy and understanding.
[09:48] — Seeing Both Sides of the Practice
Michelle explains how working on both the clinical and administrative sides has strengthened her communication and leadership. She shares how understanding each team’s perspective helps staff connect their daily work to the practice’s financial health and overall success.

[11:15] — The Power of ACMPE: What Certification and Fellowship Really Mean
Michelle breaks down the ACMPE process — from certification to fellowship — and how it builds confidence, financial literacy, and leadership among practice managers.

[14:30] — Paying It Forward Through Mentorship
Michelle shares how earning her ACMPE certification inspired her to mentor others. Now leading study groups and boot camps, she helps peers navigate the process, celebrating their successes and emphasizing how mentorship keeps the spirit of professional growth alive in healthcare leadership. 

[18:56] — Overcoming Barriers and Building Confidence
Michelle notes that time is the biggest challenge for most practice leaders pursuing ACMPE certification. She emphasizes how study groups and the (MGMA) Principles of Practice Management Certificate help build confidence and community, offering encouragement, shared learning, and a sense of camaraderie among peers on the same journey. 

[20:50] — Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Michelle shares what drives her passion for ACMPE: helping practice leaders grow and adapt in a fast-changing healthcare landscape. She finds the greatest reward in mentoring others—supporting them as they build confidence, pursue certification or fellowship, and connect the dots between where they are and where they want to be. 

About the Guest:
Michelle Mainord is Practice Administrator at Cookeville Gynecology in Tennessee and the 2025 ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year. She has been instrumental in guiding members through certification and fellowship, fostering mentorship networks, and advancing the professional development of healthcare leaders. 

Resources 

• Michelle Mainord on LinkedIn
• ACMPE Certification and Fellowship Information
• Principles of Medical Practice Management Certificate Program
• MGMA Private Practice Conference

Welcome to MGMA Insights, the podcast for medical practice leaders. In this episode, host Daniel Williams speaks with Jonathan Leer, Senior Director of Clinical Business Operations at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Recorded ahead of the MGMA Leaders Conference, their conversation highlights the evolving role of academic medicine, including leadership development, physician recruitment and retention, research and clinical trials, grant management, and resource management amid shrinking reimbursements.

Key Moments:

• 00:00 – Introduction and Jonathan Leer's background
• 01:07 – Defining academic medicine and the tripartite mission
• 04:14 – Research and clinical trial highlights
• 06:32 – Public health focus on carbon monoxide safety
• 07:39 – Expanding academic practices into communities
• 12:18 – Leadership, recruitment, and resource management in academic medicine
• 28:00 – How to connect with Jonathan Leer

Resources:

• Email: [email protected]
• Jonathan Leer on LinkedIn
• MGMA Leaders Conference Info
• University of Maryland School of Medicine Website
• CDC Carbon Monoxide Safety