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 “FYI—our ticket system’s outdated.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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New Generations, New Norms: Managing Gen Z in the Medical Office
Motivating and managing younger employees with different work styles Managing a multigenerational team is nothing new, but if you’re starting to welcome more Gen Z employees into your medical office, you’ve probably noticed that this generation comes with its own work habits, communication preferences, and expectations. Born roughly between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z has grown up … [Read more...] about New Generations, New Norms: Managing Gen Z in the Medical Office
How to Compete for Administrative Talent in a Shrinking Labor Pool
Creative strategies to attract and retain great front-office staff If hiring front-office staff feels harder than ever, you’re not imagining it. Medical offices across the country are competing for a dwindling pool of qualified administrative workers—and the competition is fierce. What’s happening? The short answer: the labor pool is shrinking, and it's not bouncing back … [Read more...] about How to Compete for Administrative Talent in a Shrinking Labor Pool
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
Why and how to review vendor contracts annually
As a medical office manager, ensuring the smooth operation of your practice involves a multitude of responsibilities. One crucial yet often overlooked task is the annual review of purchasing vendor contracts. This process is vital not only for maintaining cost efficiency but also for ensuring compliance, service quality, and adaptability to changing needs. Here’s why and how to … [Read more...] about Why and how to review vendor contracts annually
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
Patient Trust in 2025: Rebuilding It in a Post-Misinformation Era
How front-desk and admin teams can make a big difference In 2025, patient trust is no longer something practices can take for granted. We’re living in a time when misinformation spreads fast, health myths are everywhere, and skepticism runs high. Whether it’s confusion about vaccines, doubts about billing, or anxiety over electronic records, many patients are showing up to … [Read more...] about Patient Trust in 2025: Rebuilding It in a Post-Misinformation Era
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