By Lynne Curry Question: We thought we’d hit the jackpot when we hired “Sonali.” She possessed all the right skills, and her interview dazzled. My manager said, “I love her fresh thinking. Keep her happy; we need her.” The trouble surfaced in week three. Sonali pinged me on Slack. “FYI—our ticket system’s outdated. I built a new one in Notion. Should triple velocity. … [Read more...] about The Heroine with a Headcount: Handling the Disruption Diva
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Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Objective: To ensure the safety and well-being of staff and patients during extreme heat weather conditions through proactive planning, immediate response measures, and ongoing monitoring. Key Points Preparation Emergency Plan Review and update the office’s emergency plan to include specific protocols for extreme heat. Ensure all staff are familiar with the … [Read more...] about Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Employee safety briefing: Summer high temperatures
Dear Team, As the summer heat intensifies, we want to ensure your well-being and safety both in the office and during your daily activities. High temperatures can pose health risks and affect your performance, so it's important to take necessary precautions. This safety briefing will provide you with valuable guidelines for staying safe during summer high … [Read more...] about Employee safety briefing: Summer high temperatures
What’s New in Coding: Summer 2025 Updates
Summer is in full swing, and while your providers may be dreaming of vacations, you’ve got your eye on something else—coding updates. As of July 1, 2025, several important coding changes have taken effect, and it’s a great time to make sure your team is up to speed. Whether your office specializes in primary care, orthopedics, behavioral health, or anything in between, staying … [Read more...] about What’s New in Coding: Summer 2025 Updates
Wide Awake and Working (in Your Head)? Here’s How to Power Down for Real
By Lynne Curry At 2:38 a.m., Dave lies in bed, wide-eyed and wired. His inbox scrolls across his brain like a breaking news ticker: the half-baked budget draft, the client who’s ghosting, the slap-down from his boss in Monday’s staff meeting. He’s tried everything to fix his workday-fueled insomnia—melatonin, chamomile tea, melatonin, sleep podcasts, magnesium, and even a … [Read more...] about Wide Awake and Working (in Your Head)? Here’s How to Power Down for Real
Economy Watch: How to Financially Prepare Your Medical Office for Uncertainty
Cost-cutting ideas, lean operations, and forecasting tips Recession fears are in the air again. Whether or not a full economic downturn takes shape in 2025, medical office managers can’t afford to ignore the possibility. Hiring has slowed in many industries, inflation remains a concern, and both patients and payers are watching their wallets more closely. Even if your office … [Read more...] about Economy Watch: How to Financially Prepare Your Medical Office for Uncertainty
What To Do When Fear of ICE Keeps Staff Away
Immigration enforcement doesn’t just affect your patients—it can shake your workforce, too. When word spreads of ICE raids in the area, some staffers may stop coming to work out of fear. Others may call out, asking for time to stay with family members, or quietly disengage without ever saying why. This puts you in a difficult spot: You still need to staff the front desk, … [Read more...] about What To Do When Fear of ICE Keeps Staff Away
How to build leadership skills as a new manager
Stepping into the role of a medical office manager is exciting, but it also comes with a new set of challenges. One of the most important aspects of your job is leading your team effectively. As the person responsible for the smooth day-to-day operations of the office, developing strong leadership skills is essential for your success and the success of your team. While … [Read more...] about How to build leadership skills as a new manager
Re-engage Lapsed Patients While Summer Schedules Are Light
Summer can be a slower season in many medical offices, making it the perfect time to turn your attention to patients who haven’t been in for a while. Whether they’ve missed a follow-up, skipped preventive care, or simply fallen off the schedule, now’s your chance to reach out. Reconnecting with lapsed patients during July and August not only improves patient outcomes—it also … [Read more...] about Re-engage Lapsed Patients While Summer Schedules Are Light
They Tossed Me Out…Now They Want Me Back?
By Lynne Curry Question: Two months ago, I lost my job. No warning. No kind words. Not even a thank you for the five years I worked there—the long hours, canceled vacations, how often they used me to train new hires. Just a cold, clinical email and a system lockout. I felt shocked, hurt, betrayed. I scrambled to update my resume, chased leads, and tried to hold my … [Read more...] about They Tossed Me Out…Now They Want Me Back?