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Welcome to Thriving Practice - the show for healthcare practice owners who want to grow their practice while taking back their time. Hosted by executive coach and business consultant Tracy Cherpeski, this podcast features exclusive interviews with diverse healthcare business experts and successful practice leaders spanning the globe. Join us for authentic conversations about what it takes to build a successful practice without sacrifice. Our goal is to equip you with the right mindset, strategies and tools to take back your time, grow your practice and elevate your leadership. Subscribe now and then go to ThrivingPracticeCommunity.com to learn more about our modern Community of Practice for ambitious practice leaders who want to do things differently.
Episodes
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of medical coding and revenue cycle management with Sherry Elliott, founder of Elliott Health Information Professionals (EHIP). Sherry shares invaluable insights about how proper medical coding impacts healthcare providers, patients, and the broader healthcare system.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The importance of professional medical coding vs. provider-done coding
- How incorrect coding can lead to significant revenue loss for healthcare practices
- The ripple effects of proper coding on healthcare research and policy
- Success stories of helping healthcare providers optimize their revenue
- The broader impact of coding on healthcare accessibility and quality
Key Highlights:
- Sherry explains how providers often unknowingly leave money on the table by doing their own coding
- Discussion of a case study where millions in revenue were being lost due to incorrect coding
- A success story of helping a pain management practice recover $60,000 in denied claims
- How medical coding data contributed to COVID-19 research and treatment approvals
- The importance of accurate coding for future healthcare policy and reimbursement rates
Notable Quotes:
"Getting paid doesn't mean you're doing it correctly." - Sherry Elliott
"The viability of the organization matters not only to you, the provider, but to your whole patient population." - Sherry Elliott
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Review your current coding practices
- Consider professional coding support for your practice
- Download the free Top 10 Coding Errors guide
- Book a consultation call through the website to discuss potential revenue optimization
Sherry's Bio:
Sherry Elliott is the founder of Elliott Health Information Professionals (EHIP), specializing in medical coding, revenue cycle management, and healthcare compliance. With over 17 years of experience, including work as a CMS contractor, she helps healthcare providers optimize their revenue while maintaining regulatory compliance. Sherry's expertise has contributed to major healthcare research, including published studies on COVID-19 treatments. Her company provides comprehensive coding, auditing, and educational services to healthcare organizations across the country, helping them maximize reimbursement while improving operational efficiency.
Find Sherry:
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Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
In an era where DEI initiatives are under unprecedented attack, healthcare stands at a critical crossroads. This episode cuts through the political noise to expose a stark reality: dismantling DEI programs in healthcare settings isn't just about politics – it's about survival. Drawing from extensive research and real-world data, we explore how implicit bias directly impacts medical decisions, treatment options, and ultimately, patient survival rates. From cancer treatment disparities to maternal mortality rates, the evidence is clear and devastating. We'll examine why current political pushback against DEI programs poses an immediate threat to patient care, and why healthcare providers – especially private practice owners – have both an opportunity and obligation to stand against this dangerous trend. This isn't just another conversation about diversity – it's about preventing needless deaths and ensuring every patient receives the care they deserve.
Episode Overview
This episode explores the profound impact of implicit bias in healthcare settings and provides evidence-based insights into why maintaining and strengthening DEI initiatives is crucial for patient survival and care quality.
Key Points Discussed
- The scientific foundation of implicit bias and its early development
- Real-world impacts of healthcare disparities on patient outcomes
- Why dismantling DEI programs directly threatens patient care
- Evidence-based solutions for addressing healthcare inequities
- Specific actions private practice owners can take to create more equitable healthcare environments
Important Statistics Highlighted
- Implicit bias development begins in children as young as 3-5 years old
- Over 4.5 million Implicit Association Tests conducted between 1998-2006 demonstrated the pervasiveness of implicit bias
- Black women face higher mortality rates after breast cancer diagnosis
- Non-white patients consistently receive fewer interventions
- Black men are less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation for prostate cancer
Resources Mentioned
- National Institutes of Health definition of implicit bias
- Transformative Learning Theory
- Prejudice habit-breaking approach research
- MLK's 1966 speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights
Action Steps for Different Audiences
For Private Practice Owners:
- Examine hiring practices and intake procedures
- Assess marketing materials for inclusive representation
- Review physical space accessibility and welcoming atmosphere
- Evaluate sliding scale fee structures
For Healthcare Providers:
- Stand up for equity initiatives
- Document disparities
- Advocate for patients
- Examine personal biases
For Patients:
- Know your rights
- Document experiences
- Share stories
- Support equity-focused healthcare providers
Resources for Taking Action
Anti-Oppression Leadership Academy https://nadifantastic.com/
Black Women’s Maternal Health
https://nationalpartnership.org/report/black-womens-maternal-health/
Mandated Implicit Bias Training for Health Professionals—A Step Toward Equity in Health Care
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2795358
National Institutes of Health Implicit Bias Training
Teach-Back Method
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/engage/interventions/teachback.html
Quote of the Episode
"Of all forms of inequity, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhuman."
- Martin Luther King Jr., 1966
Share This Episode
If you found this episode valuable, please share it with your colleagues and healthcare networks. The more we spread awareness about these crucial issues, the more impact we can have on creating equitable healthcare systems.
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Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
In this intimate snack episode, Miranda Dorta interviews Tracy Cherpeski about the profound connections between parenthood, leadership, and building lasting organizations. This unscripted conversation offers a candid glimpse into how Tracy approaches both parenting and business leadership.
Key moments from their conversation:
- Tracy emphasizes that while she sees parallels between parenting and leadership, this doesn't mean infantilizing team members. Instead, she views her role as a guide who shows what's possible while allowing for growth through trial and error
- She discusses the challenge of balancing control with letting go, acknowledging that true organizational growth often happens when leaders step back
- Tracy shares a powerful insight about asking "just because I could, should I?" - drawing parallels between delegating in business and allowing children to develop independence
- She reflects on making ripples of positive impact that extend beyond her immediate influence when discussing legacy
- In a touching moment, Tracy becomes emotional discussing what she hopes others learn from her: the power of humility, authenticity, and standing firm despite fear and shame
- The conversation concludes with Tracy expressing pride and gratitude for her role as a parent to both her children and step-children, whom she considers a privilege to support
Memorable Quotes:
"The way I view my role as a parent is as a guide... to show what's possible and then allow for that to open up and trial and error, grow forward." - Tracy Cherpeski on leadership philosophy
"We grow better when I let go. That doesn't in any way mean that I'm abdicating my responsibility for the success of our company, for the success of our clients, and for the success of our members." - Tracy Cherpeski
"When we take a stand for something, we can do almost anything... even in the face of fear, even in the face of a lot of unknown." - Tracy Cherpeski
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Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
A Conversation with Dr. Ben Reinking - The Developing Doctor
In this episode, we explore the world of physician coaching with Dr. Ben Reinking, pediatric cardiologist and founder of The Developing Doctor. Key highlights include:
- Dr. Reinking's personal journey from burnout to discovering the power of coaching
- The importance of developing "soft skills" like communication and leadership for physicians
- How small changes can have a big impact on combating burnout and finding joy in medicine
- The value of finding trusted colleagues to connect with authentically about work challenges
- Transitioning from a performance mindset to a growth mindset in medical careers
- Creating a coaching business as a side venture while maintaining clinical practice
- The benefits of coaching for both coach and client in the medical field
- Recognizing early signs of burnout and the importance of self-care for physicians
- Practical tips for physicians looking to explore coaching or make positive changes
This conversation offers valuable insights for physicians looking to enhance their careers, combat burnout, and explore new avenues within medicine. Dr. Reinking's approach emphasizes the power of small changes and developing often-overlooked skills to create more fulfilling medical careers.
Dr. Reinking’s Bio:
Dr. Ben Reinking is a board-certified general pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist with over 20 years of experience in academic medicine. His expertise includes interpreting echocardiograms and caring for children with complex congenital heart disease. Dr. Reinking has held leadership roles such as medical director and program director, and has a passion for patient care and teaching.
After experiencing burnout due to increased workload, Dr. Reinking discovered the transformative power of coaching. This experience helped him align with his values, leverage his strengths, and enhance his communication skills. Recognizing coaching's potential to address developmental gaps in medical education, he now shares these valuable insights with students, residents, fellows, and physicians.
Find Dr. Ben Reinking:
The Developing Doctor LinkedIn
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Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
In this episode, Tracy talks with Dan Romance about his unique approach to helping healthcare professionals design prosperity across all areas of their lives. Dan shares insights on balancing personal and professional success, making incremental improvements, and planning for a fulfilling future.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The concept of "prosperity design" and its holistic approach to success
- The five key areas of life: self, family, business, finances, and future
- The importance of incremental improvements in achieving goals
- Balancing the roles of practitioner and business owner (the "player-coach" analogy)
- Planning for the future beyond just retirement
- The impact of personal well-being on patient experience
- Strategies for preventing burnout and maintaining work-life balance
Notable Quotes:
- "If you can make a 1% improvement per week, by the end of the year, all of your goals can be met and life can be grand."
- "We start today on our future."
- "If the doctor is doing something in the practice that doesn't require a license to practice medicine, then he's not spending his time doing the right things."
Resources Mentioned:
- Prosperity Design website: www.prosperitydesign.com
- Prosperity Assessment for dental professionals, medical professionals, and business owners
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Thriving Practice. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to help other healthcare professionals discover these valuable insights!
Find Dan:
Email: Dan@prosperitydesign.com
Phone/Text: 772-766-4637
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Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Tracy and guest Jenni Tarma dive deep into how healthcare providers can better support patients with osteoporosis through comprehensive, evidence-based care that goes beyond traditional pharmaceutical approaches. Jenni shares how her company, Kaari Prehab, is transforming osteoporosis treatment through digitally-delivered strength training programs that achieve remarkable adherence rates.
We explore why the standard advice of "gentle exercise" isn't enough, how to empower rather than restrict patients, and why strength training is crucial for women's health as they age. This episode is particularly valuable for healthcare providers working with women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who want to offer more comprehensive support for their patients' bone health and overall wellbeing.
Episode Highlights:
- The meaning behind Kaari Prehab's name ("Kaari" is Finnish for "arc")
- How the pandemic transformed their in-person training model into a highly effective digital program
- Why traditional "gentle exercise" advice isn't sufficient for maintaining bone density and muscle mass
- The importance of proper loading and strength training for women over 50
- How Kaari Prehab achieves 80% program adherence through coaching and community support
- The treatment gap in osteoporosis care and why exercise options are often overlooked
- Partnership work with the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation and International Osteoporosis Foundation
Key Insights:
- Exercise is a crucial but often missing component in osteoporosis treatment
- The two-year wait between DEXA scans makes it crucial to provide ongoing support and feedback
- Digital delivery can actually increase program compliance compared to traditional in-person training
- Many active women (including endurance athletes) may still be at risk due to insufficient bone-loading exercise
For Healthcare Providers:
- How to discuss osteoporosis with patients in an empowering rather than limiting way
- Resources available for determining patient suitability for strength training programs
- The importance of comprehensive care combining medical treatment with exercise
- Recent Medicare billing code changes supporting more personalized, preventative care
Notable Quote:
"An osteoporosis diagnosis is not the end of anything. It's a call to action and a reality check... there are absolutely things you can do to take control of the situation." - Jenni Tarma
Jenni’s Bio:
Jenni Tarma is the founder and CEO of Kaari Prehab, a company providing specialized strength training services for people with osteoporosis and osteopenia. With multiple advanced certifications in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, she has spent over a decade coaching everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors. A senior teacher in the Yoga Medicine 500hr program where she mentors new yoga teachers and creates continuing education courses, Jenni is also a prolific writer whose work has appeared in publications like Yoga Journal, Healthline, Weight Watchers, and Thrive Global, and she has self-published an ebook on hamstring tendon injuries.
Find Jenni:
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Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
In this solo episode, Tracy explores the critical mindset shifts healthcare providers need to make to transform their practices from survival mode to thriving businesses. She introduces the concept of the "practitioner's paradox" - where the very mindset that makes someone an excellent healthcare provider can actually hinder their success as a business owner.
Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, Tracy explains how practitioners can transition from working in their business to working on their business, without sacrificing the quality of patient care.
Key Concepts:
- The Practitioner's Paradox: How clinical excellence mindset can limit business growth
- The hidden costs of burnout on business decision-making
- The Owner's Mindset Shift: Moving from "how can I do this better?" to "how can this be done better without me?"
Practical Tools Introduced:
- The Energy Audit: A simple weekly tracking system marking activities as energizing (+) or draining (-)
- The Owner's Hour: Dedicated time for high-level strategic thinking
- Imperfect Delegation: Learning to accept 80% perfect execution from team members
Case Study Highlight: The episode features "Sarah," a neuropsychologist struggling with perfectionism and overwhelming workload, illustrating how mindset shifts can transform both practice management and quality of life.
Key Takeaways:
- Success in healthcare practice has less to do with clinical expertise than business mindset
- Burnout is not the inevitable price of success
- The most profitable practices are often led by owners who maintain work-life balance
- Delegation and systems thinking are crucial for sustainable practice growth
- Moving from "working harder" to "working smarter" requires intentional mindset shifts
Download Your Energy Audit here.
Tracy’s Bio:
Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC, is an executive coach and leadership development expert. Her mission is to unlock the potential for success in every individual and organization she works with. With a background in operations and a passion for driving growth, she approaches each engagement with professionalism and a keen eye for optimizing structures, processes, and productivity to boost profitability.
Tracy's coaching, consulting, and training programs are designed to provide a holistic experience, integrating leadership development, executive coaching, and mindset mastery. Her expertise has been sought after by small business owners, industry groups, networking organizations, government agencies, and corporations alike.
Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Tracy now calls Chapel Hill, North Carolina, her home. Wherever she goes, her commitment to helping people and organizations reach their full potential remains unwavering.
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Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
In this unique "snack" episode, we're turning the tables as Miranda Dorta, Operations and PR Manager, interviews Tracy Cherpeski about her experiences hosting the Thriving Practice Podcast. This candid conversation offers listeners an intimate look at the stories and moments that have shaped our community.
Episode Highlights:
Tracy shares one of her most memorable interviews with Kara Hartl, an optometrist who served remote communities in Alaska. The touching story of how Troy Medical came to be—named after a patient who inspired an innovative hybrid telehealth model—showcases the profound impact healthcare providers can have in underserved areas.
The conversation explores how these interviews have challenged Tracy's assumptions, particularly about healthcare accessibility. She reflects on the privilege of having readily available telehealth options, while many Americans lack basic internet access or smartphones—a stark reminder of the healthcare disparities that still exist in the United States.
Tracy reveals a surprising interview moment with Sam Heller, a fractional CFO, whose passion and heart-centered approach to numbers completely defied her expectations. This led to an enlightening discussion about how business ownership transcends mere number-crunching to embrace mindset and clarity of vision.
Common Threads:
Throughout our many episodes, two unexpected themes have consistently emerged:
- The widespread frustration with the current insurance system
- Concerns about private equity in healthcare and its impact on practice owners and patients
Behind the Scenes:
As we approach our 200th episode milestone and near 6,000 downloads, Tracy shares insights into her interviewing style. She emphasizes the importance of allowing conversations to venture "into the weeds," where some of the most valuable insights often emerge. Her signature closing question—"Is there anything we didn't talk about that you want to make sure our listeners hear?"—has led to countless golden nuggets of wisdom.
The episode concludes with Tracy expressing deep gratitude to the podcast's guests who volunteer their time and expertise, maintaining the show's commitment to being a free, accessible resource for all.
Connect with us: Visit thrivingpracticecommunity.com to schedule a consultation with Tracy.
This special snack episode offers an authentic glimpse into our podcast's mission of supporting healthcare providers while building meaningful connections within our community.
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Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
In this episode of Thriving Practice, host Tracy sits down with Robin Massey, founder of SkipTheBox. Robin shares her expertise on how healthcare providers can expand their practices into the digital realm, creating additional revenue streams through online courses, self-published books, and virtual workshops. This insightful conversation offers practical strategies for leveraging your medical expertise in the online space, with a focus on starting small, testing ideas, and overcoming technical challenges.
- Introduction to Robin Massey and SkipTheBox (00:09)
- The importance of creating additional revenue streams for healthcare providers (00:30)
- Strategies for self-publishing books in the healthcare field (10:51)
- Benefits of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
- Key steps in the self-publishing process
- Importance of professional editing and cover design
- Developing online courses for healthcare professionals (19:45)
- Starting with a small-scale test run using simple tools
- Gradually scaling up based on audience response
- Addressing potential liability concerns
- Creating virtual workshops as a low-risk entry point (22:26)
- The value of starting small and gathering data before major investments (23:21)
- Overcoming tech overwhelm and the importance of outsourcing (29:06)
- Robin's advice on long-term thinking for online business growth (30:33)
- Where to find Robin and SkipTheBox online (27:27)
Key Takeaways:
- Start with simple tools like Google Docs to outline your ideas
- Test your concepts with your existing patient base before major investments
- Consider outsourcing technical aspects to focus on content creation
- Remember: "It's not one day, it's day one" when starting your online journey
For more tips on growing your healthcare practice, subscribe to Thriving Practice and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform!
Robin's Bio:
Robin Massey is the Founder of Skip the Box LLC, supporting business owners in health and wellness fields who are looking to build out online programs and services. With over 15 years of experience in behind-the-scenes support, she loves helping folks get out of the details, on top of their workload, and into their zone of genius. Because who wants to live with their hair always on fire? Project management, execution, and “how can we simplify this?” are Robin’s jam, and it delights her to help business owners get out of the weeds so they can focus on the important things that will increase their impact and revenue.
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Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy
Thriving Practice Community Instagram
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
In this powerful episode, Dr. Kara Hartl shares how she's revolutionizing rural healthcare through Troy Medical, a pioneering telehealth company born from her experiences as an ophthalmologist in rural Alaska. After witnessing patients struggle with limited access to specialist care, Dr. Hartl developed an innovative hybrid model that combines telemedicine with on-the-ground clinical support to bring world-class specialists directly to underserved communities. From endocrinology to rheumatology, Troy Medical is bridging critical gaps in healthcare access while breathing new life into struggling rural hospitals and transforming patient outcomes across America.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- The stark reality of healthcare access: 74 million Americans (nearly a quarter of the population) live in physician shortage areas, with even greater scarcity of specialists
- How Troy Medical's unique model works: Combining telehealth specialists with local clinical support staff to provide comprehensive care coordination and patient navigation
- Core specialties include rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, dermatology, pulmonology, and cardiology, with plans for expansion
- Impact on rural hospitals: The model helps keep revenue local through labs, imaging, and infusion services, supporting struggling community hospitals
- Beyond rural areas: Expanding to serve other underserved communities, including inner-city neighborhoods where transportation and technology barriers create similar access challenges
NOTABLE QUOTE: "Until that pill, that medication actually gets into the body and changes that disease state, nothing actually changed. That's what we do - we follow them and walk them through the entire process so that their actual disease state does get mitigated." - Dr. Kara Hartl
Dr. Hartl’s Bio:
Dr. Kara Hartl, educated at Harvard University and UC San Diego Medical School with training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, has dedicated her career to expanding access to world-class healthcare. After establishing Alaska's most technologically advanced multi-specialty medical center, she founded the international non-profit Gift of Sight and co-created the Prevention of Global Blindness fellowship to combat blindness worldwide. Drawing from her 14 years of experience serving rural Alaska and recognizing the potential of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hartl launched Troy Medical, an innovative telehealth company that partners with local clinics to deliver specialty care to underserved communities, setting new standards for rural healthcare delivery across America.
Find Dr. Hartl:
Email: cara.hartl@troymed.com
Connect With Us:
Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy
Thriving Practice Community Instagram