Community/Independent Practice Committee

ASMBS Staff Liaison

Leslie Vinson

Members

Mission

1) To improve the care and treatment of people suffering from obesity
2) To foster communication between health professionals on obesity and related conditions
3) To be the recognized authority and resource on metabolic and bariatric surgery
4) To be a highly-valued specialty society that serves the educational and professional needs of its diverse membership

Description

This committee is composed of surgeons and integrated health members who work to serve their community, focusing mostly on the clinical aspects of bariatric surgery. They are in private practice, employed by community hospitals, or nonacademic health care systems.

Objectives

1) To represent the interests of the independent surgeons in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery
2) To identify the challenges unique to independent surgeons in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery and provide practice-based solutions to these challenges
3) To address best practice guidelines in the context of unique practice models
4) To screen for different trends in the practice of bariatric surgery or endoscopy and communicate as needed with the Executive Board about patterns that may lead to major changes that need to be addressed in a timely manner
5) To offer a course outlining best practices and utilization of resources to maximize success of the surgeon

Committee Goals

Short-Term

1. Publish one educational Private Practice Solutions “Tips & Tricks” Video per month
2. Host Practice Building Webinars
3. Add Integrated Health members

Mid-Term

1. Practice Building Courses
2. Private Practice Toolkit

Long-Term

1. Increase engagement of large groups
2. Increase private practice membership at national and State Chapter level
3. Increase private practice attendance at ASMBS Weekend and Annual Meeting
4. Continue educational videos by experts in field of business for all members, academic, private and community, for practice building/optimization
5. Add to/update the Private Practice Toolkit as needed

Specific Projects that Achieve Goals and Objectives:

Short-Term:

1. Private Practice Solutions Tips & Tricks Video Series completed and adding new topics:
   a. State of the Art: Working with Insurers – published March 2022
   b. Running a Lean Practice Part 2 – published February 2022
   c. Running a Lean Practice Part 1 – published December 2021
   d. Preparing for the Next Crisis – published November 2021
2. Presented the Practice Management Disasters Webinar April 2022
3. Presented the Pros and Cons of Private Equity – a Debate Webinar September 2021
4. Finalizing the addition of Integrated Health members to the committee

Mid-Term:

1. Planning a Practice Building course at the Annual Meeting in June 2022
2. Planned and directed a Practice Building course at the ASMBS re-UNITED Meeting January 2021
3. Planned and directed a Practice Building course at the virtual Annual Meeting in June 2021
4. Collecting resources for the Private Practice Toolkit on the ASMBS website

Long-Term:

1. Continue Private Practice courses at ASMBS Weekends and Annual Meetings
2. New members added to the committee
3. Planning a reception at the 2022 Annual Meeting
4. Private Practice Toolkit in progress

2021-2022 Completed Projects

1. “Pros and Cons of Private Equity – a Debate” Webinar September 2021
2. “Practice Management Disasters” Webinar April 2022
3. Private Practice "Tips & Tricks" Solutions Videos published
4. Practice Management courses at ASMBS re-United January 2021, virtual Annual Meeting June 2021, and Annual Meeting 2022
5. Practice Building Reception at the Annual Meeting 2022