In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams welcomes Kelly Ladd, the CEO of Piedmont Internal Medicine in Georgia and the MGMA Legislative Liaison of the Year. Kelly shares her journey of becoming a passionate advocate for small medical practices, navigating the complex legislative landscape and the critical role MGMA plays in supporting administrators like herself.

Key Takeaways:

• Kelly's Unexpected Honor: Kelly describes her initial reaction to being named the MGMA Legislative Liaison of the Year. "I was very shocked, and I was actually rendered speechless. Anyone who knows me knows that is quite a feat, because I typically have something to say on pretty much everything."
• Establishing Piedmont Internal Medicine: Kelly recounts the whirlwind process of offboarding 10 physicians from a health system and launching a private practice in just six weeks, highlighting the importance of MGMA resources during this transition.
• The Vital Role of MGMA for Small Practices: Kelly emphasizes the critical need for small and medium-sized practices to be part of an organization like MGMA, which provides essential information, networking opportunities and support to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
• Navigating the Legislative Landscape: Kelly shares her journey into advocacy, starting with her involvement in a local ENT organization and eventually becoming an active participant in MGMA's legislative efforts at the state and federal levels.
• The Impact of Legislation on Small Practices: Small practices face significant financial strain due to decreasing reimbursements and increasing expenses. Such challenges underscore the importance of advocating for policies that consider the operational and financial implications.
• Encouraging Grassroots Advocacy: Kelly encourages MGMA members to actively participate in the organization's advocacy efforts, such as responding to surveys, contacting their representatives, and sharing personal stories to help legislators understand the real-world impact of proposed policies.
• Kelly's Passion Beyond Her Professional Role: In addition to her advocacy work, Kelly shares her involvement as a Taekwondo instructor and her commitment to supporting homeless youth through organizations like Covenant House.

Resources:

• MGMA Legislative Liaison Program
• MGMA Advocacy
• Piedmont Internal Medicine
• 2024 MGMA Awards Recipients
• Covenant House of Georgia

Connect with MGMA:

• Visit our website: MGMA.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn: MGMA LinkedIn
• Follow us on Twitter: @MGMA

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