MGMA Week in Review: Ransomware Risks, Physician Onboarding, and Combatting Workplace Conflict

Welcome to this week’s MGMA Week in Review Podcast! Hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett break down the most important stories in healthcare management. This episode covers the latest ransomware threats targeting healthcare, practical advice for onboarding new physicians, strategies for managing workplace conflict, and preparing your medical practice for 2025.

Episode Highlights:

• Ransomware Attacks and Healthcare Vulnerabilities
  • Colleen unpacks the findings from the 2024 Q3 Cyber Threat Report by Corvus, revealing a 12.8% rise in ransomware attacks targeting healthcare in Q3. Key vulnerabilities include outdated VPNs and lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Resource: HIPAA Journal: Ransomware Groups Exploiting VPNs for Initial Access
• Transitioning from Residency to Practice
  • Daniel discusses key takeaways from the AMA on supporting physicians as they transition into practice, including goal setting, mentorship, and comprehensive onboarding.
  • Resource: AMA: Transitioning to Practice
• Biden Administration’s Proposed Medicare and Medicaid Changes
  • Colleen dives into the CMS proposal to expand Medicare Part D and Medicaid coverage to include anti-obesity medications starting in 2026, addressing obesity as a disease and touching on broader healthcare reforms.
  • Resource: Fierce Healthcare: CMS Proposal Expanding Medicare and Medicaid
• Managing Workplace Conflict
  • Daniel highlights advice from Physicians Practice on de-escalating workplace tensions, including fostering self-regulation, empathetic communication, and team-building strategies.
  • Resource: Physicians Practice: Messy Moments—Dial Down the Drama
• Planning Your Practice Strategy for 2025
  • Colleen outlines strategic advice from Nick Hernandez on competitive analysis, marketing strategies, and incorporating market demographics to stay ahead in 2025.
  • Resource: Physicians Practice: Are You Working on a 2025 Strategy?

Closing Thoughts:
As Daniel and Colleen discuss, the Thanksgiving holiday reminds us of the importance of connection, renewal, and balance—qualities that extend to the workplace. However you celebrated, we hope you found time to recharge and reflect. See you next week for more insights!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the MGMA Week in Review Podcast for weekly updates on healthcare management.