This episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast brings together a panel of healthcare professionals recognized with MGMA’s 2024 Future Five Award. These professionals are making a significant impact early in their careers by addressing some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges. The panelists include Kyle Hussey, Jonathan Renzi, Anastasia Delaney, Disha Sawhney and Samantha Baker. Joined by senior editor Daniel Williams, they share insights on healthcare innovation, operational efficiency, rural care and navigating regulatory environments.
Operational Efficiency and Service Line Innovation
Kyle Hussey, Chief Operating Officer at Colorado Surgical Affiliates, reflects on his healthcare journey as well as the importance of balancing financial and clinical goals. “Every service line that we look to bring on and any kind of process change or anything like that, we put through a framework of questions to see if it really makes sense,” he says. Hussey explains how his team introduced new services like chronic care management (CCM) and a catheter service to improve patient care while maintaining financial viability. "It’s a balance of all those [goals], and when we can find something that meets two or all three of those, it’s kind of a no-brainer to pursue," he adds.
Hussey also shares how PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for urine cultures improved patient care. "Patients aren’t needing to wait four, five, or six days for a result. We can get them pretty quick," he explains.
Patient-Centered Care and Staffing Solutions
Jonathan Renzi, Clinical Manager at Lifespan, is focused on patient-centered care and operational efficiency, mainly through the lens of his experience as a registered nurse. Renzi highlights streamlining the referral process as one key improvement in his clinic. “We have express referrals now, so they come directly through our medical records,” Renzi explains. “The referring provider can talk with our specialist and decide whether a referral is needed at that time or whether this can be handled with the PCP or referring provider.”
Renzi also emphasizes the importance of hiring. “Ensuring that I hire the right staff is very important to me. I take my time with it. I’m thorough with it, and I wait to find the right person,” he notes. This focus on building a strong team has led to better patient outcomes and a more collaborative work environment.
Rural Healthcare and Community Engagement
Anastasia Delaney, Operations Coordinator at Mortenson Dental Partners, shares her passion for addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities. Growing up in a rural area herself, Delaney deeply understands the challenges faced by underserved populations. “For me, community service and leadership really go hand in hand,” she explains. “It's about taking a proactive role in addressing these issues that affect the most vulnerable and effective leadership is about being in the field and showing up for those who need it most, while also empowering other people in the organization to do the same thing.”
Delaney highlights her work in organizing mobile dental clinics and partnering with local organizations to bring care to rural areas. In addition to dental care, her focus includes educating patients on the link between oral health and overall well-being, promoting a holistic approach to healthcare. “We're working to bridge the gaps in care and promote a more integrated approach to overall health,” Delaney shares.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Healthcare
Samantha Baker, Healthcare Compliance Analyst at Cherry Bekaert, discusses the challenges facing healthcare providers in staying compliant with ever-changing rules and regulations. “One of the biggest healthcare challenges that we face is kind of like the ever-changing regulatory environment,” Baker says. She highlights the complexities of navigating Medicare, Medicaid and new billing processes, especially for rapidly growing clinics or ones transitioning to new systems.
Baker shares how the COVID-19 pandemic brought these challenges to the forefront. “I feel like every single part of healthcare was affected, but this part was definitely something that we didn’t expect,” she notes. Baker recommends that healthcare leaders invest in strong training programs and technology to reduce the burden on providers and improve care delivery.
Advancing Cancer Care with Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Disha Sawhney, Service Line Manager at Fox Chase Cancer Center, shares her experience in developing oncology service lines and working with interdisciplinary teams. Sawhney emphasizes the importance of patient education in helping patients navigate complex care decisions. "One big focus or challenge that I would like to mention is I like to prioritize patient education," she says. Ensuring that patients have accurate information about their treatment options is crucial in today's world, where misinformation can easily spread. As Shawney notes, “It empowers them to make informed decisions of their care journey.”
Sawhney also highlights the challenge of integrating new workflows with existing protocols to ensure efficient care delivery. “Most of my work is operationalizing workflows to support our care providers and reducing their burden on administrative processes,” she explains.
Conclusion:
The 2024 MGMA Future Five Award winners are leading the way in healthcare innovation, tackling operational challenges, improving access to care, and addressing regulatory complexities. From rural healthcare initiatives to patient-centered care models and advancements in cancer treatment, these emerging leaders offer valuable insights for medical practice administrators and healthcare leaders. Their focus on collaboration, patient education, and operational efficiency is helping shape the future of healthcare delivery.
Resources Mentioned:
- MGMA Future Five Awards: Learn More and Apply
- Hardwiring Excellence: Get the Book
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High: Get the Book
MGMA Resources:
We Want to Hear From You:
Let us know if there's a topic you want us to cover, an expert you would like us to interview, or if you'd like to appear on an MGMA podcast. Email us at:
- Daniel Williams: dwilliams@mgma.com
- Ryan Reaves: rreaves@mgma.com
- Colleen Luckett: cluckett@mgma.com
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