Thirty Years, One Practice, and a People‑First Mindset — a conversation with practice administrator Tawnya Capps

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host and senior editor Daniel Williams sits down with Tawnya Capps, CMPE, ACMPE, practice administrator at Colorado Cardiovascular Surgical Associates.

In this MGMA member spotlight, Tawnya reflects on nearly 30 years in the same practice — starting at the front desk and eventually stepping into executive leadership. The conversation explores servant leadership, building trust through empathy, the value of professional networking, and what it means to model resilience and confidence for the next generation.

Episode takeaways

• There’s power in growing up inside a practice. Having worked in nearly every role — front desk, billing, coding, HR, scheduling, and leadership — Tawnya brings deep operational empathy and credibility to her administrator role.
• Leadership doesn’t mean distancing yourself from the work. Stepping in to check in patients or cover gaps isn’t symbolic — it’s practical, culture‑building, and reinforces that every role in a practice matters.
• Careers don’t always start with a master plan. Tawnya’s path into leadership was shaped by curiosity, timing, and opportunity — not a rigid roadmap — underscoring the value of saying yes to learning.
• Confidence often follows validation. Earning the CMPE and later ACMPE fellowship helped Tawnya recognize that the work she was already doing day in and day out truly mattered and met a national standard.
• Networking reduces isolation. MGMA conferences and chapter involvement created a sense of community — a reminder that most practice leaders are facing similar challenges, especially in today’s hybrid and high‑pressure environment.
• Women’s leadership has evolved — and visibility matters. Seeing more women in senior roles helped Tawnya envision herself as a leader and motivated her to mentor others coming up behind her.
• Family and leadership are deeply connected. As a working mother raising two daughters, Tawnya’s professional resilience and growth were inseparable from her role as a parent and role model.
• Presence builds trust. Whether in the office, at a conference, or on a board, showing up — consistently and authentically — is a through‑line in Tawnya’s approach to leadership.

Related Resources

• Connect with Tawnya Capps on LinkedIn
• Colorado Cardiovascular Surgical Associates
• MGMA Certification
• MGMA Conferences and Events
• MGMA Membership and Local Chapters
• MGMA Insights Podcast Network

Sponsor:
Capella University helps healthcare professionals earn their MHA on their terms. Their FlexPath MHA program is designed for busy MGMA members who want to advance their leadership skills with a flexible, self‑paced format — often faster and more affordably — without putting their careers on hold. Questions? Visit capella.edu/MHA to learn more.