In this episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast, Senior Editor Daniel Williams welcomes Karen Bowman, recipient of the ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year Award. Bowman is the administrator for Gastrointestinal Associates of Cleveland in Tennessee and has over 30 years of healthcare administration experience. In addition to discussing her role as an ACMPE Forum Representative, she shares her career journey as well as her passion for mentoring healthcare professionals pursuing certification and fellowship through ACMPE.
A 30-Year Career in Healthcare Administration
Bowman’s career in healthcare began more than three decades ago, progressing from administrative roles in reception and billing to practice leadership. Today, she serves as an administrator for a growing practice with six providers. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork in her role, Bowman highlights her commitment to patient care and leadership.
“We all have to fill in and make sure we can get our patients taken care of because that’s why we have jobs,” she says. Bowman was named the ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year for her outstanding contributions to MGMA. Reflecting on the honor, she credits her success to the mentors who guided her.
Supporting Healthcare Leaders Through ACMPE
As an ACMPE Forum Representative, Bowman works closely with MGMA members to help them pursue certification and fellowship. “We assist our members by helping them and giving them the tools that they need to either pursue certification or fellowship,” she explains. Bowman leads study groups, mock exams and prep courses, offering practical support to healthcare professionals. “We meet at lunch every Tuesday for eight weeks. We give them the material and review the body of knowledge,” she says. Her efforts have been instrumental in guiding participants through the ACMPE certification process.
The Joy of Mentoring
Mentorship is central to Bowman’s work as a Forum Representative. Her dedication to helping others is driven by her own experience of professional growth. “I love ACMPE. I love what it’s done for me in my career … and I want to help other people achieve that,” she says. She explains how rewarding it is to hear the excitement of someone who passes the certification exam or achieves fellowship. “I get so excited every month as a form rep when I receive those advancement reports,” she says.
Advice for ACMPE Certification Candidates
Bowman shares valuable advice for individuals preparing for the ACMPE certification exams. “Sometimes we don’t always pass on the first try, but just keep on keeping on” she urges. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on weaker areas. “It's not about you and your practice. It's about the best answers. And what we do in our practices may not be the best answer,” she advises. For Bowman, success in the certification process is about persistence and preparation. “You know the stuff, it’s just applying it to those exams,” she notes.
Looking Ahead: Supporting ACMPE and Its Members
In her role as ACMPE Forum Rep Liaison on the ACMPE Certification Commission, Bowman serves as a connection between Forum Representatives and the Commission. “We look at our members and we try to do things that our members need,” she explains. Looking to the future, Bowman remains committed to supporting healthcare professionals in their certification journeys and advancing the work of ACMPE.
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