Featured Client

Vermont Women's Wellness

The Challenges

MPSG inherited management of the practice expansion project. Having successfully launched their private practice three years earlier, the partners were ready to take the next several steps. “I’m always moving forward, looking for what’s next, professionally evolving,” says Dr. Anne Viselli, one of the partners. “Since my days as a resident, my dream has been to create a one of a kind multi-disciplinary women’s health center.” The project required that more shape and definition be given to this vision by creating a more detailed and structured project plan.

Secondly, the practice needed to maintain productivity while executing the expansion. “ Even though it required breaking walls and adding to the footprint, we could not afford to miss a beat.” Everything had to happen – recruitment, fit up, deliveries, training, without interrupting the core practice and the practices of those providers coming into the new group.

In addition, the doctors were looking for a more successful practice model than those existing in the market. According to Viselli, “Our goal was to strike a strategically unique balance between autonomy and collaboration among the practices here at Women’s Wellness. That required a unique solution.”

Solutions

MPSG worked very closely with the owners to more expertly articulate their vision into a detailed action plan complete with accountabilities, deadlines, budget, to-do lists by category, and communication forums for project participants. “I needed MPSG for short periods of time on a frequent basis and they were always there with excellent solutions and rapid follow through - always.”

Successful start-ups (and expansions) require, not only expertise in a variety of disciplines (health care, finance, real estate and human resources), but the project management skills of leadership, vendor negotiation, task coordination and dispute resolution among providers. We worked closely with all vendors to ensure that deliverables were completed on schedule - medical equipment, office supplies, financing, IT hardware. We assisted with the recruitment of new providers to fill the expanded space and set up those practices as well, all with minimal intrusion to the original practice. “Our practice operations actually improved in this process - surgery scheduling, financial management, human resources, patient care - all have experienced major improvements.”

These providers were savvy enough to aim for a bold new model. MPSG helped craft a unique multi-disciplinary structure, one that allowed incoming practices the independence they sought, but called for the necessary degree of cooperation and collaboration in order to create economical marketing programs and integrative care . “This model gives our organization the perfect blend of freedom and unity,” says Viselli.

Results

Phase one of the expansion project was completed on time and on budget. Phase two has resulted in growth from two to six providers and expansion to another location within 12 months. Shared costs have reduced overhead by 12%. Improvements in operations have increased charges and payments by 15%. Dr. Viselli comments, “As we continue our expansion, we have experienced remarkable improvements in key areas. We have a much better staff; our finances are projected, tracked and managed well; marketing programs continue to drive business and our work flow is enhanced.”

Feedback

“I’m the type of ambitious high-energy person who is always looking to the future to ask ‘what’s next?’, to expand my professional dreams and goals. MPSG delivers it. They make it happen for us. I literally would not be able to do any of this without them.” - Anne Viselli, MD