MGMA Podcasts MGMA

In this episode, host Daniel Williams meets with Amy Lafko to explore her transformative journey from physical therapist to healthcare consultant. Listeners will learn about Amy's career progression, from her initial experiences in a trauma hospital to her pivotal roles in rehabilitation and urgent care settings and, ultimately, her shift into consulting. She shares key lessons on team building, the importance of mentorship, and her development of the people-first methodology that underpins her current consulting practice.
Key Takeaways:
Transition from clinical physical therapy to leadership and consulting roles in healthcareUtilization of mentorship and continuing education to navigate career changes and leadership challengesDevelopment of the people-first methodology to enhance employee satisfaction and patient careStrategic adaptation to hybrid and remote work environments in healthcare settingsEmphasis on continuous learning and development, highlighted by participation in programs like the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiativeAdvocacy for operational changes that prioritize team engagement and support within healthcare practicesSources and Resources:
Amy Lafko’s Professional Profile on MGMAPeople First: A Proven Method for an Exceptional Healthcare Practice (Book by Amy Lafko)Amy’s insights on emotional intelligenceAmy on better communicationMGMA Resources:
MGMA StatAsk an AdvisorMGMA ConferencesMGMA ConsultingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOULet us know if there's a topic you want us to cover or an expert you would like us to interview or if you'd like to appear on the member spotlight podcast. Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question for our Sr Advisor Cristy Good, email advisor@mgma.com.

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."
 

Join hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett in this comprehensive MGMA Week in Review episode as they explore pressing healthcare issues today. From the latest cybersecurity measures to groundbreaking research in Alzheimer's disease and innovative strides in nursing education, this episode covers a spectrum of topics critical to healthcare professionals. Gain valuable insights and tips to safeguard your practice, understand genetic influences on Alzheimer's, and learn about new methodologies shaping the future of nursing.
Sources and Resources Discussed:
Medical Economics: Article by Sanjay Bhakta on cybersecurity defenses in the age of generative AI.Becker's Hospital Review: Article discussing new research on the genetic links to Alzheimer's disease.Fierce Healthcare: Article on the need for evolving nurse education by Amber Cools.Colorado Legislative Website: Information on new bills passed for investing in healthcare workforce education.MGMA Stat Poll: Results and analysis on how healthcare providers handle patient payment options.MGMA Resources:
MGMA StatAsk an AdvisorMGMA MembershipMGMA ConsultingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOULet us know if there's a topic you want us to cover or an expert you would like us to interview or if you'd like to appear on the member spotlight podcast. Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question for our Sr Advisor Cristy Good, email advisor@mgma.com.

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."
 

In this episode, host Daniel Williams sits down with Julie Bouziotis to discuss her career journey from English literature student to healthcare administrator. Listeners will gain insights into Julie's path, from her unexpected start in orthopedics to taking on leadership roles in dermatology. She shares lessons learned along the way about developing skills, empowering teams, and lifelong learning.

Key Takeaways:- Unexpected entry into healthcare administration from a humanities background- Pursuit of additional credentials like MBA and fellowships for professional development - Views leadership as stewardship of the organization and its mission- Focuses on optimizing teams and customer service through training and feedback- Finds value in MGMA involvement, including communities, publishing and events- Participates in the MGMA book club, discussing works that reinforce leadership best practices
Sources and Resources:- Stony Brook Dermatology Associates- Julie on LinkedIn- Julie's published articles on MGMA.com- Books discussed in the MGMA book club, including "Leaders Eat Last"

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."
 

This Episode:This MGMA Women in Healthcare podcast episode, hosted by Adrienne Lloyd, welcomes Stephanie Mercado to the show. Mercado is the CEO and executive director of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). She joined the NAHQ in 2013 and has helped the organization achieve over 300% revenue growth and almost double its membership since then. In 2023, Modern Healthcare named Mercado one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare".
Highlights:In the conversation, Mercado emphasizes that quality and safety encompass more than just regulatory compliance - they should be viewed as a business strategy that utilizes standard and reliable problem-solving techniques. When faced with dynamic issues, tools like failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) and the situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) framework can help structure thinking and planning. Mercado also stresses the importance of resilience among healthcare leaders. Despite the uncertainty, focusing on continuous improvement through patience and small wins can move the quality agenda forward. Professionals can better manage stress and drive positive change by clarifying roles, unpacking concerns, and embracing an iterative mindset.
Main Takeaways:
Quality improvement methods give healthcare workers a "toolkit" to effectively address opportunities and challengesTools like FMEA and SBAR provide neutral frameworks to identify issues, plan solutions, and bring teams together  Viewing quality as a long-term business strategy leads to more reliable outcomes than short-term compliance Adopting resilience through patience, adaptability, and celebration of incremental progress enhances successRoles clarification and unpacking sources of anxiety can help manage stress inherent to healthcare leadershipEpisode Sources:  
Adrienne Palmer Lloyd
Connect with Adrienne on LinkedInAdrienne’s Services & More 
Stephanie Mercado
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn 
MGMA Resources:MGMA StatAsk an AdvisorMGMA MembershipMGMA Consulting
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUTo see other episodes of the Women in Healthcare Podcast, watch the video versions on YouTube, or apply to be on an upcoming episode, please visit: https://bit.ly/womeninhealthcarepodcast

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."
 

In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss Kaiser Permanente nurses striking over AI concerns, an interview with Dr. Robert Pearl on co-authoring a book with AI, challenges from stricter Medicaid rules, incorporating humor in the workplace, and gaps in medical practices' downtime protocols after a cyberattack.
Sources:
Kaiser Permanente Nurses and AIAI can help with tasks like writing but requires human oversight and fact-checking, says Dr. Robert Pearl Changes to Medicaid rules will impact appointment scheduling, finances, reporting, and long-term planning.Incorporating humor can help humanize leaders and create a more inclusive environment.Regularly updating downtime protocols is critical for cybersecurity preparedness.MGMA Resources:MGMA StatAsk an AdvisorMGMA MembershipMGMA Consulting
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOULet us know if there's a topic you want us to cover or an expert you would like us to interview or if you'd like to appear on the member spotlight podcast. Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question for our Sr Advisor Cristy Good, email advisor@mgma.com.

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."
 

In this episode of the MGMA Insights podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robert Pearl, a renowned healthcare leader and the author of the groundbreaking book ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine. Dr. Pearl shares his unique journey in healthcare leadership and his vision for how AI can transform and improve healthcare outcomes, a perspective that is sure to captivate our audience. He also discusses his collaboration with ChatGPT in writing his book, providing valuable insights into the future of healthcare.
Main Takeaways: - AI can potentially improve healthcare quality, access, and affordability by empowering patients to manage chronic conditions better.- Moving to prepaid models like capitation can incentivize value-based care needed to realize AI benefits.  - AI technologies like ChatGPT show promise, but some limitations require oversight and continued development.
Sources:Robert Pearl on the webChatGPT, MD Fixing Healthcare Podcast
MGMA Resources:
MGMA Stat
Ask an Advisor
MGMA Membership
MGMA Consulting
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Let us know if there's a topic you want us to cover or an expert you would like us to interview, or if you'd like to appear on the member spotlight podcast, email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question for our Sr Advisor, Cristy Good, email advisor@mgma.com.

Walmart Business:This episode of the MGMA podcast is brought to you by Walmart Business. It’s the Walmart you love, now for your business. Get everything you need for your staff & patients in one place. Enjoy big savings on health & safety products, cleaning supplies, OTC medications & much more. And don’t forget the break room snacks! Create a free account today and start shopping at business.walmart.com. Again, that’s business.walmart.com.
1st Call TriageIntroducing 1st Call Triage, your ultimate remote medical staffing solution! With their Office Hours Nurse Triage Line, Front Office Services including appointment scheduling and insurance verification, and Back Office Services managing medication refills and prior authorizations, 1st Call Triage, can streamline your practice's operations. Plus, their Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) ensure comprehensive patient care. So Make the right call: 1st Call Triage is the first and only call you need for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality medical staffing. Visit their website at 1stCallTriage.com to revolutionize your practice! Again, that's 1stCallTriage.com.
MGMA Analytics:"The popular buzzword we've been seeing everywhere is AI. But what we all want to know is how we can implement and use it to our advantage. When it comes to improving margins, accelerating cash flow, and optimizing staff performance, there's a one-stop shop using cloud-based predictive analytics. MGMA Analytics is your AI-enabled tool that upscales technology you're already paying for, so you can silo your disparate systems and make data-backed business decisions. Visit mgma.com/analytics and see how AI can revolutionize your finances and operations."