Today, we’re diving into a critical topic that’s only becoming more urgent as cyber threats grow: Is Your Cyber Incident Response Plan Up to Snuff?

Now, if you’re a physician running or managing a practice, you might think cybersecurity isn’t something you need to worry about daily. Think back to March of 2024, which saw the Change Healthcare Cyberattack. You may be thinking, “Change is a large organization, and I don’t have to worry as much as they do.” But in today’s environment, all healthcare practices are prime targets for cyberattacks, and a lack of preparation can have devastating consequences. In fact, according to recent studies, the healthcare sector has one of the highest rates of cyberattacks among all industries, with massive financial and reputational impacts following even a single breach.

So today, we’re going to cover the essentials of creating a solid Cyber Incident Response Plan—or CIRP for short—and why every practice, from small solo operations to large multi-physician groups, needs a plan in place. We’ll talk about the unique vulnerabilities that come with running a healthcare practice, especially as it grows, and the serious fallout that can follow a cyber incident. I’ll also offer some guidance on building a strong cybersecurity policy and show you how to protect your practice, your patients, and ultimately, your reputation.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Today, we're diving into a topic that might be affecting your practice more than you realize: Is Your Office Manager Living the Peter Principle? Now, you might be wondering—what is the Peter Principle? And how could it apply to my medical practice? Let’s break it down.

The Peter Principle is a concept first described by Dr. Laurence J. Peter in his 1969 book, The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong. It states that employees in a hierarchy tend to rise to their "level of incompetence." In other words, they get promoted based on their performance in their current role until they reach a position where they’re no longer effective.

In the context of a medical practice, this principle can have significant repercussions. Picture your Office Manager, someone who has been with your practice for years. They’ve handled scheduling, billing, and HR—wearing multiple hats as your practice grew from just a couple of physicians to a bustling team. But as the demands increased, their skill set may not have evolved as quickly. Suddenly, they’re managing tasks beyond their capabilities, struggling with strategic planning, advanced budgeting, or navigating complex regulations. That's the Peter Principle at play.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Today’s topic is one that can be hard to think about but is crucial for anyone managing a practice: embezzlement. We’re calling today’s episode “Meet the Four Embezzlers Lurking in Plain Sight: A Guide for Savvy Physicians.” Why focus on this? Well, physician practices have unique vulnerabilities that make them especially appealing targets for embezzlers, and the impact of financial theft goes far beyond just the dollars lost.

Imagine this: a small family medicine practice, tight-knit team, trusted office manager who’s been with the clinic for years. But behind the scenes, small amounts of money are disappearing month by month. Sometimes, it’s cash payments that never make it to the deposit, or maybe the credit card bills include strange charges that no one noticed—until it’s too late. By the time the theft is discovered, thousands of dollars are gone, patient trust is damaged, and morale among staff hits rock bottom. For more than 82% of practices, unfortunately, this story isn’t hypothetical.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Today we're thrilled to bring you a very special episode. This marks our 100th episode! Yes, we’ve hit a milestone, and I just want to take a moment to thank all of you, our loyal listeners, for tuning in, sharing feedback, and helping us grow this incredible community of healthcare professionals and administrators.

It’s been an amazing journey, filled with insightful conversations and plenty of learning along the way. And on that note, given that we’re here in our 100th episode, we are drawing some timeless wisdom from Benjamin Franklin. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That quote is attributed to him, and it holds as much relevance today as it did back then—especially when it comes to running a successful medical group.

Now, while Franklin may have been talking about fire prevention, the message is clear: It’s always better—and often more cost-effective—to prevent problems before they arise rather than scrambling to fix them after the fact. And that’s what we’re going to explore today—how proactive, preventive strategies can protect your practice, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately save you money and stress in the long run.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Given that this is Episode 99, which is a number that signifies growth and the ending of one era and the beginning of another, it seemed an opportune time to talk about recognizing the signs of growth in your practice and how to plan for it effectively.

As healthcare providers, we often find ourselves so focused on patient care that we may overlook the subtle indicators of growth within our own practices. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or part of a large group, understanding when your practice is on the verge of growth can be a game changer.

In this episode, we’ll explore three distinct growth stages: small practices with one to three physicians, medium-sized practices with eight to ten physicians, and larger practices with twenty-five or more physicians. Each stage presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. Our goal today is to help you recognize these growth signs early on and equip you with practical strategies for operational, financial, and leadership considerations that are crucial for physician owners.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Welcome to episode 98.6, where we explore an idea that runs deeper than just managing patient care or handling office logistics. We’re going to talk about what it means to be “normal” in a medical practice. Now, most of us are familiar with the concept of 98.6°F as the “normal” temperature for a healthy human body. It’s become a standard—something we rely on to tell us that things are functioning the way they should be. But when it comes to running a medical practice, what does “normal” look like? Is there even such a thing?

Just like our bodies, a medical practice has its own baseline—its own “normal” temperature, so to speak. It’s the state where things are steady, functional, and predictable. That doesn’t mean everything is perfect, but the systems and people in place keep things running smoothly. For a practice, this might mean staff working efficiently, patients coming in and out on schedule, systems operating as expected, and the day’s flow moving along without too many surprises. But just like in our bodies, even a small disruption—something as simple as a glitch in the scheduling system or a team member calling out sick—can throw off the balance.

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Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving deep into one of the most important but often overlooked aspects of running a successful medical group: building a positive, intentional culture. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Culture eats strategy for lunch”—and if you haven’t, you’re about to understand why that idea is so critical, especially in healthcare.

Now, what do we mean by culture in a medical group setting? It’s not just about the company picnics, coffee in the break room, or inspirational quotes on the wall. As we reviewed in episodes 27 and 36, culture is the shared values, behaviors, and communication styles that shape the way everyone in your organization works together, makes decisions, and ultimately cares for patients. In short, culture is the how behind everything you do.

Even the best strategy for improving patient care, cutting costs, or expanding services can collapse under the weight of a toxic or unintentional culture. Why? Because culture sets the tone for how effectively—or ineffectively—a strategy will be implemented. If a medical group has a strong culture of accountability, trust, and respect, new initiatives tend to thrive. But if the culture is fragmented or dysfunctional, even the most brilliant strategy won’t stand a chance.

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Want more content? Find sample job descriptions, financial tools, templates and much more: www.MedicalMoneyMattersPodcast.com

Purchase your copy of Jill’s book here: Physician Heal Thy Financial Self
Join our Medical Money Matters Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3834886643404507/
Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Today, we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: trusted advisors and why your practice needs them. Running a medical practice isn’t just about seeing patients—it’s also about making smart business decisions. And sometimes, those decisions require expert advice. So, whether you’re just starting your practice or you’ve been in the game for years, having the right advisors by your side can be the difference between struggling to stay afloat and thriving. We talk about what trusted advisors do, why they’re essential, and how to build a team of advisors who truly understand the healthcare landscape.

At its core, a trusted advisor is someone who brings deep expertise and offers strategic guidance tailored to your specific needs. Unlike a vendor or a consultant who might just complete a task for you, a trusted advisor is more of a long-term partner. They help you anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and avoid mistakes.

Please Follow or Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to you as soon as they drop!
Visit Jill’s company, Health e Practices’ website: https://healtheps.com/
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Want more content? Find sample job descriptions, financial tools, templates and much more: www.MedicalMoneyMattersPodcast.com

Purchase your copy of Jill’s book here: Physician Heal Thy Financial Self
Join our Medical Money Matters Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3834886643404507/
Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/