In this episode, Tracy sits down with Debra Phairas, a physician practice management consultant with over 40 years of experience working with more than 2,300 medical practices. They discuss the often-overlooked topics of buy-ins, buyouts, and exit strategies for private practices. Debra shares hard-earned wisdom from four decades in the field, including real stories that illustrate why planning ahead isn't optional—it's essential. 

Each quarter brings predictable patterns in patient behavior and practice operations, yet many healthcare providers find themselves constantly reacting instead of planning. In this snack episode, Tracy Cherpeski shares her insights on how practice owners can leverage quarterly shifts to build sustainable growth and avoid burnout. From Q1's deductible reset surge to Q4's strategic planning opportunities, Tracy offers a roadmap for thriving year-round.

In this powerful conclusion to our three-part time leadership series, Tracy tackles one of the most repeated—and least helpful—pieces of productivity advice: "work smarter, not harder." Through the compelling story of Dr. David, an ER physician turned regenerative medicine practice owner, you'll discover why this platitude fails and what to do instead. Tracy introduces a concrete methodology for strategic work allocation that helped Dr. David redirect 15 hours per week from low-value interruptions to high-value work that only he could perform. The result? Substantial revenue growth, improved patient flow, and a more confident, self-sufficient team—all while working the same number of hours. 

In this episode of Thriving Practice, Tracy Cherpeski tackles one of the biggest challenges healthcare practice owners face: protecting strategic thinking time in an environment where everything feels urgent. Through the compelling story of Dr. David—an ER physician who opened a regenerative medicine practice—you'll discover why your blocked strategic planning time keeps getting hijacked, and learn the exact framework for distinguishing between genuine urgency and habitual urgency. This is part two of the time leadership series, and it's essential listening for any practice owner who's ever wondered why their "do not disturb" time never actually happens.