The DocBuddy Journal

America's surgery centers are caught in a perfect storm: physician shortages that have tripled anesthesia costs, a vanishing workforce of surgical technicians, and Medicare policies so out of alignment that patients pay more for outpatient surgery than hospital procedures. We sat down with Rena Courtay, VP of Ambulatory Surgery at Trinity Health and ASCA Board officer, to unpack the physician and anesthesia shortage, why some surgery centers are scrambling to fill sterile processing jobs, and how legislators are working to modernize Medicare's copay structure. 

Major insurers like United are finally pushing procedures out of expensive hospitals and into surgery centers. Plus, AI is about to revolutionize medical billing and coding in ways that could save the industry billions.

Connect with Rena on LinkedIn.

Follow DocBuddy on LinkedIn.

#ASC #Anesthesia #SurgeryCenters

Host Erik Sunset returns after a brief hiatus to discuss DocBuddy's innovative Op Note app, which transforms how ambulatory surgery centers handle operative reports. 

Erik also shared key insights from McDermott Will and Emery's HealthEx event in Nashville, highlighting key takeaways from the C-Suite panel featuring leaders from Surgery Partners, SCA Health, Regent Surgical, and AMSURG. 

Learn how DocBuddy's technology is addressing the critical need for tech adoption in ASCs by eliminating transcription delays, enabling instant operative reports, and dramatically accelerating the revenue cycle. 

Erik also announced upcoming events where you can see DocBuddy in action, including Gulf State's Excellence, Becker's Spine and Pain, Arizona ASCA, Texas ASC Society (TASCS), and Florida Society of ASCs (FSASC).

#healthex #outpatientsurgery #ambulatorysurgery #surgerycenter

In this eye-opening episode of The DocBuddy Journal, host Erik welcomes Shannen Aguayo and Nyleen Flores, hosts of the rapidly growing Credentialing Chronicles podcast. They dive deep into the often opaque world of medical credentialing and enrollment, exploring best practices and alarming stories from the front lines.

The conversation covers crucial recommendations for medical providers managing their credentialing documents, the bureaucratic challenges of getting insurance panel approval, and shocking examples of how credentialing failures can impact patient safety. Shannen and Nyleen don't hold back as they discuss the ethical dilemmas facing healthcare facilities when revenue needs clash with credentialing standards.

The trio also examines the evolving role of AI in healthcare documentation, the frustrations of dealing with insurance company policies, and why greater transparency is desperately needed throughout the credentialing process. 

Listen to Credentialing Chronicles.

Connect with Shannen and Nyleen on LinkedIn.

Follow DocBuddy on LinkedIn.

#medicalcredentialing #credentialingchronicles #spillthetea #spillingthetea

In this inspiring episode of The DocBuddy Journal, host Kiera Helms interviews Dr. Peter Daly, an orthopedic surgeon, and his wife Lulu Daly, a pediatric nurse, about their remarkable journey founding One World Surgery. What began as a single act of compassion for a young Honduran girl named Angela has blossomed into a global nonprofit that serves over 27,000 patients annually across Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

The Dalys share how their family-centered approach to medical missions created a sustainable model for delivering high-quality surgical care to those most in need. Through permanent facilities staffed by local medical professionals and supported by international volunteers, One World Surgery has pioneered an ethical approach to addressing the "neglected stepchild of public health" - surgical care in underserved regions.

Listeners will discover how these medical missions not only transform the lives of patients but also reignite the passion and purpose of healthcare providers experiencing burnout. The Dalys explain how anyone—regardless of medical background—can contribute to their mission, and share their vision for expanding education and deepening their impact in the communities they serve.

Learn more about One World Surgery.
Apply to join a One World Surgery mission trip.
Donate to One World Surgery.

In this episode of The DocBuddy Journal, Marc Ryan, Chief Solutions Officer of Lilac Software, provides an in-depth analysis of the current U.S. healthcare landscape. From the complexities of drug pricing and Medicare reimbursement to the challenges facing healthcare providers, Marc offers expert insights into the critical issues affecting patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole. 

Discover the potential for systemic reform and the key factors shaping the future of healthcare delivery and affordability.

Connect with Marc on LinkedIn
Follow Liliac Software on LinkedIn
Get Marc's content: The Healthcare Labyrinth

Be sure to follow DocBuddy on LinkedIn!

#healthcare #healthcarepolicy #healthcarepolicyreform #healthcarepodcast #healthITpodcast

In this powerful episode of The DocBuddy Journal, host Kiera Helms welcomes Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer of The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation. Dr. Simmons shares the foundation's origin story, born from tragedy when emergency physician Dr. Lorna Breen died by suicide during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic after expressing fears about seeking mental health support.

The conversation explores the foundation's three-pronged approach to healthcare worker well-being: advocacy, advancing collaboration, and accelerating solutions. Dr. Simmons discusses their successful efforts to pass federal legislation supporting healthcare worker mental health, their work to eliminate stigmatizing mental health questions from medical licensing applications across states, and their "All In Caring for Caregivers" program.

As an emergency physician herself, Dr. Simmons brings valuable perspective on the unique challenges healthcare workers face when prioritizing their own mental health. The episode highlights the importance of addressing both individual support through coaching and peer programs and tackling systemic issues like administrative burden and EHR optimization. Listeners will learn about concrete resources available through the foundation and ways to get involved in this critical mission to destigmatize mental healthcare for those who care for others.

Links from this show:

• Impact Wellbeing Guide: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/impactwellbeingguide/index.html
• Ambassador Application: https://drlornabreen.org/become-an-ambassador/
• Licensing Board Advocacy: https://drlornabreen.org/contact-boards/
• Credentialing Toolkit: https://drlornabreen.org/removebarriers/
• Donate: https://drlornabreen.org/donate/

In this eye-opening episode of the DocBuddy Journal, host Erik Sunset sits down with John Williamson, founder and CEO of Lockbox AI, to explore the frustrating state of healthcare technology and the revolutionary potential of AI solutions. 

John shares his candid perspective on why EHRs have stagnated despite billions in government incentives, the staffing crisis gripping healthcare organizations, and why the future belongs to integrated AI solutions that deliver outcomes rather than more tools. 

Discover why healthcare needs to embrace the "service as software" approach, how AI can unify fragmented data systems, and why John predicts an iPhone-like revolution that will finally transform healthcare technology by decade's end.

Whether you're a healthcare provider drowning in administrative work or a technology leader seeking better solutions, this conversation offers both validation and a vision for a more efficient future.

Learn more about John's work at LockboxAI
Follow LockboxAI on LinkedIn
Email John [email protected]

Be sure to follow DocBuddy on LinkedIn!

#healthcarepodcast #healthitpodcast #aiinhealthcare

In this episode, host Erik welcomes back Bill Prentice, President of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA). Bill shares exciting updates on ASCA's initiatives, including their decision to make all virtual education free for members. 

The conversation explores ASCA's key priorities for 2025, including advocating for expanded Medicare-approved procedures, refining quality reporting measures, and improving reimbursement rates that better reflect the value ASCs provide to the healthcare system. Bill also discusses how the new Trump administration presents fresh opportunities for ASC advocacy and cost-efficient healthcare delivery. 

Learn more about and register for the 2025 ASCA Annual Conference taking place in Denver, CO from April 30 - May 3.

In this episode of The DocBuddy Journal, host Erik Sunset sits down with Eric Passon, founder and CEO of Ancore Health. They discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare in 2025, exploring how medical groups can thrive amid fee schedule cuts, staffing challenges, and cultural shifts. 

Passon shares his expertise on building high-performing medical groups through strong physician leadership, transparent performance metrics, and alignment between financial sustainability and organizational mission. 

The conversation covers the transition from RVU-based incentives to purpose-driven operations, the impact of AI on healthcare efficiency, and practical strategies for navigating uncertainty in the new year. Essential listening for healthcare leaders seeking to balance robust fundamentals with transformative purpose.

Follow Ancore Health on LinkedIn.

As always, be sure you're following DocBuddy on LinkedIn, too!

#healthcarepodcast #healthit #healthitpodcast

As an orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Steven Gorin, DO, is passionate about helping his patients of all ages at the Institute of Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics maintain active and healthy lives.

In this wide ranging conversation we covered topics like:

• Overcoming payer denials and issues
• Fixing reimbursement
• The importance of independent physicians
• Driving positive culture
• AI in healthcare

Connect with Dr. Gorin:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X (Twitter) 

Be sure to follow DocBuddy on LinkedIn as well.

#healthcarepodcast #orthopedics #orthopedicsurgeon #HealthIT #MedicalSoftware