Seeds of Change

In my November column, I reported that the 2011 MGMA National Conference would be one of historical significance because of the vote to merge two legally separate but aligned organizations, the Medical Group Management Association and the American College of Medical Practice Executives into a single new association.

The merger was approved by both memberships, and these organizations will become one on January 1, 2012. With 22,500 members, MGMA is the largest professional membership association for medical practice management leaders in the country. ACMPE, with 6750 members, is the nation’s most respected certification and standard-setting organization for medical practice leaders.  

The new MGMA-ACMPE association now is poised to plant the seeds of change and create a more effective organization that can guide members through the uncertain landscape of healthcare reform and lead medical organizations of every type in managing physician services. 

After two years of strategic planning, the MGMA and ACMPE Boards of Directors created a proposal to form the new association to create efficiencies through unifying processes that were formally redundant.  While both organizations are financially sound, one organizational structure creates efficiencies that best position the new association for success.

As a board member of the ACMPE over the past two years, I can personally attest to the long, hard work that was put into this recommendation and the participation of the many stakeholders (existing and new) whose success is tied to this decision.

The past, present and future leaders were instrumental during the entire process. There were many focus groups representing various demographics and a great emphasis on the engagement and leadership development of those coming into the profession. ACMPE Board Chair, Alan Winkler, said, “Over the past two years in extensive visioning, and strategic planning sessions, it became apparent that there was a spirit of unified energy around better meeting the needs of our members and discovering new ways to assist them in their professional paths.”

In a previous column, I commented that leaders possess the qualities that are paramount to the changes in healthcare (as well as other industries):  They are big thinkers, change masters, sensitive, good communicators, team builders and committed to success.  With the new association, members will participate as change agents who are already in the midst of significant change in healthcare. 

The new MGMA-ACMPE has begun diligent work to increase member value and satisfaction, grow membership, increase awareness, value and participation in the certification program, and aggressively expand the recognition, prestige, and desirability of CMPE and FACMPE credentials. Also, they are increasing the number of people engaged with the association who will strategically support the financial goals of the organization. 

If you changed some of the players, this might be a good blue-print for those in other industries to learn who and what is needed to keep customers.

Bill Appling, MBA, FACMPE, is president of Watkins Uiberall Health Care Consulting. He has faculty appointments at the University of Memphis in the Fogelman College of Economics and Business, where he teaches in the Masters of Health Care Administration program.

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