Volunteer Role: MGMA Stat Data Story Author
Why did you decide to get involved with MGMA?
It’s an indispensable resource for practice managers in any specialty. MGMA is one of the most active organizations in the healthcare industry. I want to be part of something that is helping to affect change and make sense of all the changes this industry has undergone and will continue to experience.
What do you find most rewarding about volunteering for MGMA?
Being part of an organization that has helped me so much. It’s always a learning experience for me.
How did you decide that practice management was the career for you?
It was kind of an accident. I had planned to go to law school but instead landed in a great clinic with a fantastic culture – and didn’t want to leave. I ended up getting a MBA with a Healthcare Administration concentration instead of becoming a lawyer. I think that practice management gives me the opportunity to make a difference in healthcare even though I am not a practitioner.
What is the best tip you give to people who are just starting a career in practice management?
Realize that this is a very dynamic landscape and the best approach is to eliminate any feelings of entitlement. We are all here to help patients.
What is your favorite book or website or resource for practice managers?
I do use the MGMA site quite a bit and I enjoy the educational webinars. The government affairs department has been invaluable to me. Healthcare Administration is so different now than when I started 30 years ago. It’s extremely complex and challenging and MGMA is able to assist with all aspects of practice management. I am also reading “The Southwest Way” because I have always been intrigued by the success of that airline and their dedication to making employees happy, which equates to happy customers.
How do you relax after a busy work week?
I like to go to the gym, read, and write short fiction when I have time. My dream is to have a novel published.
What is your top tip for maintaining work/life balance?
I don’t know- I haven’t figured that out yet! I am typically available to my providers and employees 24/7.
Debbie Darby, MBA, FACMPE
Chief Operating Officer, Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Phone: 225.819.5009
Email: ddarby@bjcbr.com `