Surviving Practice Challenges: A Journey Through Dentistry, Bankruptcy, and Reinvention (Part 1)
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
Release Date: 12/11/2024
From Academia to Innovation: Redefining Pain Medicine with Dr. Peter Staats (Part 1)
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In Part one of this two‑part conversation, Dr. Peter Staats shares the formative experiences that shaped his path into anesthesiology and pain medicine, beginning with his upbringing in Hawaii and the profound intellectual influence of his father, a pioneering academic psychologist. This early exposure to integrative thinking laid the groundwork for Dr. Staats’ approach to medicine, one that challenged traditional silos and emphasized the interconnectedness of behavior, psychology, and physiology. His medical training, initially aimed toward orthopedic surgery, ultimately shifted...
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Peer Review, Workplace Violence, and Protecting Your Career with Dr. David Koronkiewicz
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
Dr. David Koronkiewicz, a retired orthopedic surgeon and current leader in healthcare quality, safety, and risk management, joins the podcast to discuss two major issues affecting physicians today: the peer review system and workplace violence in healthcare. Drawing from more than 30 years in clinical practice and extensive experience in administrative leadership, he offers a rare, multidimensional perspective on how internal hospital processes can deeply impact a physician’s career, finances, and long‑term wellbeing. Koronkiewicz explains how peer review—originally intended to...
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Asset Protection Essentials for Physicians with Attorney Bo Loeffler
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
Attorney Bo Loeffler returns to the podcast to revisit with David the foundational principles of asset protection—what it is, why physicians need it, and how proper timing and structure make all the difference. The conversation begins with an overview of risk for physicians, from malpractice and employee claims to real estate liability and auto accidents and stresses the importance of addressing these risks before they arise. Bo and David emphasize the crucial concept that asset protection is only effective when implemented ahead of any foreseeable claim. The discussion then shifts to the...
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Ethical Entrepreneurship in Medicine: Building Smarter Practices with Dr. Paul Lynch
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this episode, host David Mandell welcomes Dr. Paul Lynch, a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, entrepreneur, and business leader. Dr. Lynch shares his remarkable journey from aspiring psychiatrist to pain medicine innovator—a shift inspired by his mother-in-law’s battle with cancer and the discovery of interventional pain treatments that could transform patients’ lives. His early experiences at the Mayo Clinic shaped his belief in comprehensive, integrated care—a philosophy that became the foundation for his first practice, Arizona Pain, which...
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Thriving in a Changing Healthcare Landscape with Jerry Kelsheimer
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this episode of the Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician Podcast, David Mandell welcomes back Jerry Kelsheimer, President of Medic Management Group. With decades of experience in healthcare business management, Jerry discusses how the healthcare landscape has changed dramatically over the past five years, affecting physicians' financial performance and operational efficiency. He outlines the evolving challenges medical practices face—including reduced reimbursements, higher labor costs, and increasing patient demands and stresses the importance of disciplined, intentional business...
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The Journey from Pediatrics to Scrub Sisters with Dr. Jacqueline Winkelmann
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this episode of the Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician Podcast, host David Mandell welcomes Dr. Jacqueline Winkelmann, a pediatric hospitalist and founder of Scrub Sisters. Dr. Winkelmann shares her journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, being inspired by her uncle's compassion and dedication to medicine and eventually pursuing pediatrics as her calling. She discusses how financial foresight and a unique tuition waiver allowed her to graduate debt-free, enabling her to maintain a balanced career and family life as a part-time physician at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. Dr....
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Innovation, Industry, and Ancillaries: Lessons from Dr. Jack Bert (Part 2)
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this second part of a two-part episode, host David Mandell continues his discussion with Dr. Jack Bert, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and former president of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. In this conversation, Jack emphasizes the importance of ancillaries in building a financially successful medical practice. He explains how orthopedists and other specialists can significantly increase revenue streams through owning or participating in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), imaging services, physical therapy, and durable medical equipment. Dr. Bert stresses that...
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Innovation, Industry, and Ancillaries: Lessons from Dr. Jack Bert (Part 1)
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this first part of a two-part episode, host David Mandell welcomes Dr. Jack Bert, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and former president of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr. Bert shares his background, including his training at Northwestern, Temple, and the Mayo Clinic, as well as his career—building one of the first outpatient ambulatory surgery centers in Minnesota. He highlights how his practice expanded from a solo effort into a large multi-location group, providing insight into the evolution of orthopedic practice models. Dr. Bert reflects on the influences that...
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How Practices Can Build the Right Physician Comp Models Today and Beyond with Attorney Jason Greis
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In this episode, host David Mandell welcomes back attorney Jason Greis for his third appearance. Jason, a healthcare business attorney with extensive experience advising physician practices, discusses one of the most pressing issues for independent groups today: physician compensation models and partnership structures. With generational shifts and economic realities reshaping the field, many practices are rethinking what it means to become a partner and how to fairly compensate both younger and senior physicians. Jason explains how compensation models have evolved from the 1980s and 1990s to...
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The Journey from Solo Practice to Industry Leader with Dr. Cynthia Matossian
Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician
In the Season 6 premiere of the Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician Podcast, host David Mandell welcomes Dr. Cynthia Matossian, an accomplished ophthalmologist, entrepreneur, and industry leader. Dr. Matossian shares her unique journey into medicine, starting from an initial interest in political science and international relations before ultimately discovering her passion for ophthalmology. She discusses the early challenges she faced in starting her own practice in 1987, particularly as a woman seeking financial backing in a male-dominated field, and the resilience and determination...
info_outlineListen in or watch as host David Mandell interviews dentist and coach Dr. Sue Keller. David begins with questions he asks all doctor guests to the program—about their initial interest in becoming a doctor, early career journey and more. Sue relates her personal experiences that lead her to dentistry and a shift from an interest in orthodontics to general dentistry.
Sue explains her initial venture into private practice, purchasing an existing practice from a burned-out dentist, and her initial attempts to grow the practice. She and David discuss her challenges in growing the practice, the positives and negatives to developing a niche practice, to moving the physical location and the difficulties of keeping good staff.
For the remainder of this first part of a two-part episode, Sue tells David about the challenges of keeping the practice afloat financially. In part two, they discuss Sue’s decision to file bankruptcy for the practice after more than 20 years and her career transition thereafter.
Insights:
- Sue shares her personal journey, mentioning her early interest in dentistry after having her first loose tooth at six years old.
- Sue had a positive childhood experience with her dentist, which fueled her desire to make dentistry comfortable for others.
- She discusses the transition in her career, starting her practice after a residency and eventually purchasing an existing practice from a burned-out dentist.
- In 1995, Sue took over a family practice and started building it up, noting challenges with old technology and financial constraints.
- She explains that her practice focused on treating anxious adult patients with oral sedation, creating a niche in an underserved area.
- She moved her practice in 2007, creating a comfortable environment in Northampton but encountered financial challenges in 2008 due to the financial crisis, including losing two-thirds of her patients after the move and facing difficulties hiring motivated staff, leading to constant turnover.
- Sue reflects on the decision to go fee-for-service and the financial pressures of taking insurance while striving to maintain high-quality care.
- Despite her advanced education, she struggled to implement complex treatments due to a lack of patients who could afford the care.
- Sue emphasizes the importance of utilizing specialists, even for bread-and-butter dentistry, to maintain quality and avoid complications.
- She outlines the ongoing financial struggles from 2008 to 2017, refinancing multiple times to stay afloat amid a tough market.
Learn more, including additional show notes, links, and more, by visiting physicianswealthpodcast.com.
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