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Women in Practice Management Conference

Women in Practice Management Conference

Monday, September 30, 2024 to Tuesday, October 1, 2024

September 30, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET - October 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET

  

Atlanta, GA

Cost:

Members - $179

Nonmembers - $249
You must be logged in as an active member to receive the discounted ticket price. 

 

Are you ready to be inspired, re-energized, and connected with a community of women who share your passion for orthopedic practice management? (Or share your current lack of passion due to burnout?)

We invite you to join us at the AAOE Women in Practice Management Forum, the only event dedicated to women working on the business side of orthopedics. This is a unique opportunity to learn from each other’s triumphs, challenges, and growth, and to share our stories in an environment designed by and for women in or aspiring to be in management. 

Why Attend?

  • Learn and Grow: Gain valuable insights from peers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities you face.

  • Recharge and Connect: Meet your colleagues in person and leave feeling inspired and re-energized.

  • Share Your Story: Engage in meaningful conversations and share your experiences with like-minded professionals.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. Register now to take the next step toward achieving your career goals!  

Event Address: 

MagMutual Insurance 

3535 Piedmont Rd NE Building 14

Atlanta, GA 30305

American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE)
This program is approved as a learning event for ACMPE continuing education hours. A cumulative total of 50 ACMPE continuing education credit hours is among the requirements for attaining the Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) credential. To maintain CMPE or Fellow status, you must earn 50 hours of qualifying credit hours every three years.
Learn more about the ACMPE certification program
One ACMPE credit is earned for every 60 minutes of educational content, rounded down to the nearest 0.25.
AAOE is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education (CE) to Certified Athletic Trainers.

Registration Options

Credits Price
Member Registration
Registration Ended 9/29/24 at 2:00 PM CST
$179.00
Non-Member Registration
Registration Ended 9/29/24 at 2:00 PM CST
$249.00

Here are some hotels close to the meeting venue.

Please select one and book your room directly with the hotel.

Agenda

September 30
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Day 1 Monday, September 30th:
 
2:00-2:45 PM: Being a Servant Leader Without Setting Yourself on Fire 
 
4:00-4:45 PM: Elevate Your Impact!
 
4:45-5:35 PM: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Empathy and Effectiveness

5:35 - 7:05 PM: Networking and Happy Hour
October 1
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM Day 2 Tuesday, October 1st
 
8:30-9:15 AM: A Winning Combination: Clinical & Administration
 
9:45-11:00 AM: Diversity in the Orthopedic Practice
 
11:30-12:30 PM: Leadership & Career Growth
 
12:40-1:25 PM: Advocating for Yourself

Session Schedule 

Monday, September 30, 2024
2:00 - 2:45 PM ET

Opening Keynote: Being a Servant Leader Without Setting Yourself on Fire

Join Andrea for a discussion on how we can be the best leaders that we can be, and also maintain boundaries to keep our sanity. As women, we often give and give and give to everyone around us, often sabotaging our own physical and mental health, and happiness. This leads to burn out, mental health problems and job dissatisfaction to say the least. Worse, those around us come to expect us to continue act this way or tell us we're selfish as soon as we set boundaries. But there is a better way! We can be awesome leaders AND have boundaries. 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Review pitfalls we all fall into in leadership; how to fix or stop doing them. 

  • Improving ourselves and our own leadership so that we're more centered and confident. 

  • Setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations. 

Speaker: 

 

 Andrea Vitalich is an Executive Director at Proliance Surgeons in Washington state. She has worked in healthcare since 2007 and has been in a leadership or coaching capacity for more than 16 years. 

2:24 - 3:30 PM ET

2:45 - 3:30 PM 

People Centric Communication

Stephanie Anderson​ of PeopleCentric will discuss the ins and outs of people-centric communication.

Learning objectives:

  • Determine the modes and methods for communication

  • Discuss how miscommunication happens

  • Find your communication style

  • Examine each style and how they interact with other styles

  • Strategize ways to more effectively communicate with others

Speaker:
Stephanie Anderson

Stephanie Anderson helps organizations grow by creating and executing strategies that achieve their goals and positively impact their communities. She's had a passion for business long before her professional days. At 4 years old, she was setting up shop selling everything from pinecones in her front yard to her Dad’s secret stash of Reese’s peanut butter cups to his store customers. She's been on the business path from the start. The reason? She loves helping people discover their passions and channel them into healthy organizations and teams that make our communities and the world a better place. Right now, she does this as an Engagement Specialist at People Centric Consulting Group. She loves helping organizations become their best and develops highly engaged and empowered teams. 

4:00 - 4:45 PM ET 

Elevate Your Impact! 

Research has shown that women leaders improve businesses. Women leaders help to break down gender barriers and stereotypes, as well as drive innovation and collaboration. The session will inspire women to empower themselves to effect change in the workplace with leadership identity. 


Learning Objectives: 

  • Provide examples of achievements and behaviors that we as women can aspire others to emulate. 

  • Empower women in leadership positions to development mentorship programs that inspires other women to champion their achievements. 

  • Discuss the collaborative approach in leadership and explore ways this approach is effective for teams to adapt quickly to emerging challenges. 

  • Discuss ways Authentic leadership fosters positive relationships with those lead. 


Speaker: 

Ruschell Gladden is a seasoned customer service professional with over 25 years of experience in customer care. She has spent the last 20 years of her career navigating the customer service and patient relations aspects of the healthcare industry. 

Ruschell currently serves as the Patient Access Director at Midlands Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery of Columbia, SC. As leader of her department, Ruschell's goal is to enrich the employee experience. This is achieved by her coaching leadership styles which is characterized by collaboration, support, and guidance.

 

 4:45 - 5:35 PM ET 

 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Empathy and Effectiveness 

In the high-stakes environment of orthopedic practice management, difficult conversations are inevitable. Whether addressing performance issues, managing conflicts, or negotiating changes, these conversations can be challenging yet essential for fostering a productive and harmonious workplace. This session will provide practical strategies and insights for having difficult conversations that honor different perspectives, challenge each other constructively, and recognize the humanity in ourselves and our physicians. 


Learning Objectives: 

  • Understanding the Right Timing: Learn to identify the appropriate moments for initiating difficult conversations to ensure they are productive and well-received. 

  • Honoring Diverse Perspectives: Explore techniques for respecting and integrating different viewpoints, ensuring all parties feel heard and valued. 

  • Balancing Humanity and Professionalism: Discover ways to maintain professionalism while acknowledging and honoring the human aspects of those involved, particularly physicians who may be dealing with stress, trauma, and/or lack of interpersonal skills. 

  • Constructive Challenges: Gain skills for challenging colleagues and subordinates in a way that promotes growth and improvement without diminishing their self-worth. 

  • Addressing Disruptive Behaviors: Understand the underlying causes of disruptive behaviors in physicians and learn how to address these issues with empathy and support, focusing on stress management and skill development rather than attributing them to character flaws. 


Speaker: 

Olivia J Wolf, MBA is a seasoned healthcare executive and leadership coach with extensive experience in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics within healthcare settings. With a strong background in both executive and operational roles, Olivia brings a unique perspective on fostering effective communication and building resilient, empathetic teams. 

 

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
8:30 - 9:15 AM ET

A Winning Combination: Clinical & Administration  

 Solutions in a large practice may often seem siloed between clinical operations vs administrative operations. Ensuring you have constant collaboration between both sides is critical for making decisions that benefit all angles of your practice and keep the team fully engaged. Emory Orthopedics & Spine has created partnerships between our clinical and administrative levels to ensure our team makes well thought- out decisions. 

Learning Objectives: 

After attending, participants will: 

  • Learn the value gained from consulting with roles outside of their own using shared governance.  

  • Understand how to regularly bring in other areas of their organization for solutions both reactively, but also searching for proactive opportunities as well.  

  • Learn how to identify those who are best suited to participate- not only those in key positions, but also emerging leaders. 

 
Speakers: 

Stephanie Hines is the Director of Patient Care at Emory Orthopedics & Spine in Atlanta, Georgia. Across private practice and academic settings, she has driven herself and her team to maximize their skills to deliver excellent patient care and better themselves. Stephanie enjoys her time outside of work cheering from the sidelines for her 3 children and volunteering in her community. 

Denisse Assad is the Administrator of Clinic Operations for the Spine division at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, GA. She has been with the Orthopedics & Spine department at Emory for 10 years and one of her biggest passions is to build strong working relationships while also helping others achieve the same. In her free time, Denisse loves spending time with her two kids and husband. She also has a love for good food and movies.

9:45 - 11:00 AM ET

Diversity in the Orthopedic Practice


These amazing women have overcome many obstacles to get to where they are today. You'll hear stories that will make you angry and stories of triumph that will inspire you. These women have not only navigated the challenges of their field but have also driven meaningful changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion. By sharing their experiences, they provide actionable insights you can apply in your own practice or hospital to foster a better culture and grow personally. It’s about learning from their journeys and understanding how you, too, can make a difference.


Learning Objectives:

After attending, participants will:

  • Understand the specific obstacles faced by women in orthopedic practice and how they have overcome them, gaining insight into both systemic barriers and personal strategies for success.
  • Learn practical approaches to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within your own practice or hospital, inspired by the experiences and actions of these pioneering women.
  • Acquire actionable insights and best practices from the speakers' experiences that can be directly applied to enhance the culture and operational dynamics of your practice or hospital.
  • Reflect on the personal journeys of these women to identify ways you can contribute to positive change in your professional environment and support the growth of a more inclusive orthopedic community.

Speakers:

Alissa Ashley-High is the Practice Administrator with Orthopaedic Associates of Marlborough, and has been with the group for over seven years. As a small practice administrator, Alissa is involved in every aspect of the practice, from the clinical and administrative front line to the behind-the-scenes revenue cycle team. Alissa started her career as License Practical Nurse working in rehabilitation centers as a charge nurse. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration and pursued a Career in Practice Management with a growing Urgent Care System before transitioning to Practice Administrator in Orthopaedics.

Ruschell Gladden, Patient Access Director, Midlands Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery, is a seasoned customer service professional with over 25 years of experience in customer care. She has spent the last 20 years of her career navigating the customer service and patient relations aspects of the healthcare industry. As leader of her department, Ruschell's goal is to enrich the employee experience. This is achieved by her coaching leadership styles which is characterized by collaboration, support, and guidance.

Erika Noll is the Chief Operations Officer at Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta, GA. Erika started her career in healthcare as an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. Erika graduated from the University of Florida and has worked in hospital and clinic settings all over the country. Erika has a wicked sense of humor, which is one of the ways she handles the stress of orthopedic practice management!

11:30 - 12:30 PM ET

Leadership & Career Growth


Listen as these smart, capable women exchange stories about challenges they’ve faced as a female leader in the orthopedic setting. You’ll walk away with insights about your own personal growth and leadership style and be uplifted by the conversations. For women in orthopedic practice management, leadership is all about creating a vision and inspiring others to get on board. It's about making tough strategic choices, leading innovation, and getting great results. These skills are even more crucial now, with organizations and teams becoming more connected, virtual, agile, fast-moving, and socially conscious.

Learning Objectives:

After attending, participants will:

  • Learn about the unique challenges faced by female leaders in the orthopedic setting, gaining insights into how these challenges can be navigated effectively.

  • Identify key elements of their own personal growth and leadership style, drawing inspiration from the stories and experiences shared by the speakers.

  • Understand the importance of creating a compelling vision and inspiring others to join in, learning strategies to effectively communicate and rally support for their vision.

  • Explore the essential skills needed for leading in today’s connected, virtual, agile, and socially conscious environments, focusing on strategic decision-making, innovation, and achieving outstanding results.

 
Speakers:

Samantha Julias, Director of Finance and Business Development, Vero Orthopaedics. Samantha received her Bachelor of Science from Florida Southern College in Athletic Training and worked for seven years in multiple settings such as action sports, physical therapy, high school sports, and in a physician’s clinic. Enjoying the challenges of the physician’s office, Samantha obtained her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida. After graduation she was hired at Orlando Orthopaedic Center (OOC) and began by opening and managing a walk-in clinic before stepping in to run multiple other departments. Recently, Samantha joined Vero Orthopaedics as the Director of Finance and Business Development.

Shannon Young is the Co-Director of Business Operations, Bluegrass Orthopaedics. She has an Associates degree in Health Information Management, she is also a Certified Professional Coder, and is currently working on her CPPM (Certified Physician Practice Manager). She is the Co-Director of Business Operations at Bluegrass Orthopaedics in Lexington, KY. She has worked in healthcare for 27 years, 16 years in orthopedics. Her hobbies include her new grandbaby and her church family. She is currently married to the love of her life she has two sons and a daughter and son-in-law. Her superpower is to multi-task like a mother.

Lyndsay Sullivan is the Senior Business Development Manager at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee overseeing business development, marketing and physician relations. She plays a large role in building relationships within the community, serving as a board member and Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and a board member of Southern Middle Tennessee MGMA.  Lyndsay graduated from Penn State University and earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. When not at the office, she enjoys travelling, attending her daughters’ sporting events, and cheering on the Nittany Lions.

Nicole Mayo is a dynamic Medical Practice Consultant and Life and Mindset Coach, specializing in empowering women in leadership and entrepreneurship. With over 15 years of experience in the medical and leadership industry, Nicole has a proven track record of helping practices streamline their operations, boost revenue, and enhance patient care. She excels at creating and fostering a healthy and strong workplace environment that promotes both personal and professional growth.  Her passion lies in guiding women to achieve their dreams, strike a sustainable work-life balance, and pursue their passions through strategic coaching and personalized guidance. When she's not transforming the lives of women, Nicole loves spending time on her boat with her husband, reading books on her back patio and playing with her two adorable mini dachshunds, Bella and Harper. Follow her journey and get daily inspiration on Instagram @livingyour__truth!

 

12:40 - 1:25 PM ET

Advocating for Yourself 

 
Self-advocacy is about recognizing your worth and confidently asserting your needs and desires.  It is essential for personal and professional growth.  This session will provide practical steps and examples of how you can effectively communicate your needs and navigate challenges with clarity and conviction, empowering you to achieve your goals and cultivate meaningful relationships both in your career and personal life. 

Learning Objectives:

After participating, participants will: 

  • Understand techniques for assertive communication, including how to articulate needs, set boundaries, and express opinions respectfully.

  • Obtain strategies for overcoming obstacles and handling difficult situations or conflicts with confidence and resilience.

  • Get tips and exercises to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, crucial for effective self-advocacy. 

 

Speaker: 

Lisa Warren has been the Chief Executive Officer of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, AL since 2011.  She is the president of the Alabama Chapter of Orthopedic Excecutives.  Lisa served as a physician practice management consultant with Warren, Averett for 10 years.  Other work experiences include management of  Brookwood Hospital’s  primary care physician network and MedPartners, a physician practice management company. She has been a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Healthcare Worker’s Compensation Fund since 2014. 

For More Information:

American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Logo 6602 East 75th Street Suite 430
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
United States
800.247.9699

AAOE's Women 
in Practice Management 
Event is Sponsored by:

Title Sponsor: 

 

Keynote Sponsor: