Volunteer Role: MGMA State Liaison

Why did you decide to get involved with MGMA? 

When my career shifted to medical practice leadership, I found there was a lot to learn.  When talking with a few other practice leaders they told me about the MGMA I immediately joined.  That was nearly 20 years ago, and I’ve been involved in both the MGMA and Virginia MGMA for the entire time.​

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering for MGMA? 

Connecting people with resources that contribute to their success is the most rewarding part of volunteering.   

How did you decide that practice management was the career for you?  

My first practice management job was with a cardiac surgery group practice and I was approached by the president of the group because he had an administrator who was retiring.  I jumped at the opportunity to transition from hospital leadership to practice management.  The retiring administrator told me “Tom, you are going to love this job”.  He was right!  

What is the best tip you give to people who are just starting a career in practice management? 

What worked best for me, when starting out, was making contact with other practice leaders.  Practices share many of the same opportunities and challenges and collaboration with other leaders results in some terrific ideas and solutions.   

What is your favorite book or website or resource for practice managers? 

   
How do you relax after a busy work week? 

Sailing at nearby Smith Mountain Lake, home improvement projects, spending time with family and friends and trips to the beach are my favorite activities.      

What is your top tip for maintaining work/life balance?  

It’s far too easy to get distracted when a smart phone is constantly vying for attention. What works best for me is turning off the alerts, notifications, and alarms so I won’t be distracted.  Then, I can focus on what I’m doing and check for messages when I’m free.