Volunteer Role: Content Contributor, Article Author

Why did you decide to get involved with MGMA? 

When I started my career at Marshfield Clinic my mentor, Fritz Wenzel, was actively involved with MGMA. Once I started attending MGMA annual meetings in the mid-1980s, it became apparent that MGMA was going to be my professional home for education, professionalism and networking. 

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering for MGMA? 

This is easy to answer, the other volunteers, members and staff of MGMA.   Those that get involved have a community of like-minded individuals who value the profession of medical group management and the variety of opportunities with MGMA, who share a passion for developing leaders.

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

I found my reason for being, helping physicians and allied health staff help patients maintain and/or improve their health. As an ancient Greek physician stated, “when health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot be exerted, wealth is useless, and reason is powerless.  

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

First, join MGMA then, reach out members in MGMA, network, identify the questions you seek to answer and know that MGMA has the community of leaders that have the answers.   I have been an administrator for 19 medical specialties during my career.   The many volunteers in the variety of specialties represented in MGMA had the solutions to help shape my role toward success.

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

Unlike some of the questions that have an easy answer, this is more challenging with over 600 books in my office at Mayo Clinic.  However, if given only one choice I would select, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.  While the book does not have a focus on practice management, it does contain strategies to achieve happiness, a universal desire; rather than focus on reducing burnout, let’s focus on joy. 

How do you relax after a busy work week? 

I work with MGMA writing articles about leadership development, so that I am helping others in MGMA, much like my mentors helped me.   When not writing articles on leadership I have found hiking with my wife to be extremely relaxing, paying attention to my top priorities of health and my wife.  

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

Recognizing that life is about values and choices.