The assassination of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday sent shockwaves throughout our profession and beyond, sharply reminding us of the dangers in abandoning respectful dialogue. Regardless of our individual views, violence breeds division and undermines our shared mission. As allied health professionals, we can model how to bridge differences with dignity, compassion, and collaboration. I am heartbroken at the way our country is polarizing and in this blog I try to unpack how Kirk’s murder highlights the urgent need for teamwork and honoring diversity of thought in daily practice—so our workplaces foster resilience rather than resentment. 

The OPIE team is in Orlando this week, if you’re there, swing by the booth to say hi! Scott summarizes day one in this week’s blog!

What if chasing work-life balance is setting your practice up for mediocrity? In Part 2, we dissect the controversial debate between relentless ambition and harmony, drawing on hard-hitting advice from the WSJ and business experts. Find out how to create excellence-driven systems, foster real accountability, and raise standards without burning out your team. Challenge complacency, redefine “enough,” and discover why average should never be an option for healthcare leaders seeking lasting impact. 

Is mediocrity quietly sabotaging your clinic’s culture, patient loyalty, and bottom line? In Part 1 of “The Danger of Mediocrity,” discover how everyday choices and silent compromises fuel “just OK” care—and why that’s costing you more than you think. Learn actionable first steps to spot and confront average performance in your team, and why leaders must make excellence a daily habit. If you’re ready to break free from mediocrity’s grip, this is where your turnaround begins. 

Are you having a hard time recruiting and retaining staff? Do you feel like your clinic has a revolving door for staff” You’re probably not imagining things—and that door costs you more than you think. Read on to find out about a proven technique health care practices have used to enhance retention, preserve knowledge and foster a culture of respect, ensuring long-term success and less turnover. 

Is your practice ready for the Medicare crunch? As insurers slash coverage and patients face higher deductibles, your financial playbook could make or break your future. Discover the new care-and-collections strategies smart clinics are using to thrive in an era of shrinking safety nets. Don’t let surprise bills or coverage denials derail your patients—or your bottom line. Learn how to turn these potentially seismic shifts into opportunities for growth, patient loyalty, and financial stability. 

What if your organization’s true culture isn’t written in your handbook or mission statement—but in the dozen quiet decisions you make each day? Every unnoticed eye roll at a meeting, every ignored missed deadline, and every time you let a toxic attitude slide, you’re sending a signal that echoes louder than any slogan. In the world of O&P, these subtle moments don’t just shape your culture—they define it. Ready to uncover the silent forces steering your team’s success? Let’s dig in.

Is mowing your own lawn a smart choice—or silently sabotaging your life and business? My neighbor’s comment sparked an introspection about time, value, and the hidden costs of “doing it all.” This story of lawn stripes, legacy, and opportunity cost will have you rethinking how you spend your time—both at home and in your clinic.

Ready to discover the leadership secret Starbucks uses—and why it’s exactly what your O&P healthcare team needs? Most leaders juggle endless demands, serving patients, payors, staff, and more, but we often forget one crucial “customer”: ourselves. In a high-stakes, people-driven business, lasting success hinges on what the Starbucks “Two Chairs” framework reveals—and the invisible balancing act you can’t afford to ignore. Curious how legacy leaders avoid burnout and build teams that thrive? The answer might just transform your clinic, your team, and even your own executive mindset.

As a professional, you are in a unique position in the medical field to match a patient’s biomechanical deficiencies with the latest approaches.  Much of the rest of the health care continuum thinks in terms of solid ankles, posterior leaf springs and articulated ankles with a platar flexion stop.  But with advances in materials science and technics for intervention, combined with the time we can spend with patients to better understand their unique desires for work, ADLs and goals we are in a powerful position to effectively guide the care.

Ever felt overwhelmed by the nonstop hustle, whether it’s city traffic or your billing backlog? My recent walk through Dallas’ historic Dealey Plaza reminded me that even in the middle of chaos, there’s a way to find calm and control. Discover how a somber stroll led to a breakthrough in mastering healthcare billing processes—and why stepping back to “smell the coffee” could be the key to slashing your DSO and reclaiming your peace of mind. Don’t miss these real-world insights from the heart of downtown Dallas!

Too often, bosses discover why their stars leave when it’s too late to do anything about it. Forget exit interviews—get ahead of turnover with these four game-changing questions. If you’re tired of watching your top talent leave for “better opportunities,” it’s time to dig deeper. Discover the proven approach that goes beyond pay and perks to truly understand what motivates your team. Click now to learn how to build trust, boost engagement, and keep your best people on board!

Are you tired of endless handoffs, unclear priorities, and bloated workflows draining your team’s energy? Discover how leading healthcare practices are boosting efficiency by 25% and client satisfaction by up to 30%—not by working harder, but by working smarter! Lean thinking isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about cutting waste. Learn the leadership secrets behind value stream funding and incremental budgeting that are transforming allied healthcare. Ready to unlock your practice’s true potential? Don’t miss these game-changing strategies—click to read more! 

You are in a 60 minute meeting where a co-worker is prattling on about something…you are not sure because you mentally checkout out minutes ago. Maybe you are thinking about the upcoming weekend.  Maybe you are thinking about something you need to get done at work.  Maybe you are sleeping with your eyes open.  I don’t know.  But what I DO know is---you will NEVER get that time back!  Oh…and one more thing, it’s not just about time…it’s real money too. Every minute you waste in a poorly run meeting costs your business $347! 

Are you stuck between honoring tradition and chasing new trends? You’re not alone! Discover why clinging to the past or jumping on every innovation could be holding you back—and challenge me on how I think we can balance legacy with progress. Think about how you define true success and why patient care should always come first. Let’s thrive in an ever-changing O&P landscape.

Do you think you can only boost your bottom line by raising prices or slashing costs? Think again! In our line of work, those levers are out of your hands—but there’s a third, game-changing strategy you’re probably ignoring. If you are ready to break free from the old rules and unlock hidden profits, bear with me this week as I reveal a “secret weapon” that we all tend to disregard and under-appreciate.

Behind every denied claim is a patient left struggling. Will justice finally tip the scales for Americans needing prosthetic and orthotic care? The feds are taking on healthcare giants in a billion-dollar fraud battle-and the outcome could reshape access for millions of amputees. 

Have you ever read "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith? Better yet, have you ever wondered how it applies to O&P?  Join me in my quest to understand how a centuries-old book by an economist has practical application for today's O&P practice.

Quiet confidence speaks volumes. When your presence conveys clarity and composure, your team is more likely to remain focused on solutions, open to ideas, and actively engaged. It requires a shift from reaction to response and from immediacy to strategic patience. It can’t be faked. So how do we gain that confidence? 

Do you find yourself working in your company rather than working on your company? Does it seem like there is a lot of activity and everyone is busy, but the output doesn’t match the effort? Chances are, you need a little process improvement.  Let’s talk about that.