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Can independent private practice offer greater efficiency, better patient care, and a more balanced physician lifestyle? On this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa talks with Dr. Jon George about his journey from academic cath lab leadership to launching an ambulatory surgery center and thriving as a solo practitioner. They discuss the business, regulatory, and clinical realities of building a modern private practice in today’s changing healthcare environment.
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Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:51 - Private Practice Landscape
05:17 - Pendulum Swing to Independent Practice
10:04 - Making the Move to Solo Practice
15:24 - Training and Research Beyond Hospitals
17:55 - MBA and Business Skills
20:02 - Building a Broad Practice
23:35 - Income, Ownership, and Mindset Shifts
27:28 - Administrative Load and Management Help
32:35 - Launching the ASC Cath Lab
38:24 - Boosting Efficiency, Lifestyle, and Preventing Burnout
43:17 - Advice for Fellows
48:15 - Call Coverage and Negotiation
49:52 - Closing Reflections and Takeaways
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More about this episode
Dr. George shares how his frustrations with hospital financial transparency, procedural limitations, and the pandemic’s impact on patient willingness to come to hospitals motivated his transition to a solo practice in 2020. He explains why only about 30 percent of U.S. cardiologists remain independent, highlighting the shift toward lower-cost outpatient sites, recent CMS approvals for more ASC procedures, and state differences in certificate-of-need laws. Dr. George discusses strategies for scaling through hospital affiliations, negotiating teaching and research support, and partnering with management companies to streamline operations. He also describes building a state-of-the-art cath lab and imaging center, improving efficiency and physician lifestyle, and offers a practical five-question framework for clinicians considering the move to private practice.
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Resources
ReVaMP Heart and Vascular Institute
https://www.revascmed.com/
University of Cincinnati Ohio College of Medicine
https://med.uc.edu/
University Hospitals Case Medical Center
https://www.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-cleveland-medical-center
Temple University Hospital
https://www.templehealth.org/locations/temple-university-hospital
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BackTable Cardiology is the go-to podcast for interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other healthcare professionals that manage cardiovascular conditions.
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