Message from the NCMGMA Past President Matt Johnson

Dear Members,

Serving as the NCMGMA President this past year has been a great privilege. Without question, the highest reward has been developing new relationships with so many talented leaders and strengthening relationships with old friends. An organization is only as good as its members, and NCMGMA truly stands out with so many giving individuals that are always generous with their time and knowledge.

It isn’t easy to pull together volunteers to sit on committees, be engaged, and share their talents. We are fortunate to have so many willing to serve as chapter officers, committee chairs and members, and board of director officers. It is a time commitment that can pull you from regular day-to-day responsibilities, and your sacrifice to serve is extraordinary. Thank you for your servant leadership and for being an example for us all.

For those yet to serve on a committee or as a chapter officer, I encourage you to do so. Your ideas will be welcomed, and you will be supported regardless of your experience. This is a wonderful way to learn and give back. Please consider this as you progress as an NCMGMA member.

2022 was filled with accomplishments; too many to name them all. Let me highlight a few of them that stand out.

We had an incredibly successful Spring Conference at the Wilmington Convention Center. As meeting in person returned and gained momentum, we had a strong turnout for the event. Our affiliate members and Alliance sponsors showed up in full force, allowing us to host a fantastic experience for participants. Beyond the talented slate of speakers, the networking and roundtable activities provided many excellent exchanges. The conference closed with solid representation from our Advocacy Committee and our friends from the NC Medical Society.

A first for our organization took place later in the Spring when we held our first-ever Master Class in Winston-Salem. Sandra Jarrett and the Education Committee went to great lengths to put together an incredible two-day event featuring renowned speaker Mary Kelly, who knocked everyone’s socks off. This event was so successful that we decided to do it again in 2023. Registration is open so don’t wait long to enroll, as this event will sell out fast!

The final big event of the year was our Fall Conference, held in Cherokee, NC. The newly renovated convention center at Harrah’s Casino made for the perfect venue to meet. Todd Pittman and the Conference Committee once again outdid themselves with the slate of speakers and activities at this conference. The vendor hall was packed, and lots of fun was had by all. The work for the 2023 conferences started almost immediately after the Fall Conference, so stay tuned for more.

In a time when we have seen the competition for employees at its most significant in recent history, we have leaned on each other for ideas for attracting and retaining talent. The listserv has been an incredible resource for us. Additionally, there may not be a more critical time than now to have an up-to-date Salary Survey as we evaluate our current payroll. We are fortunate to have this tool, as many states do not. Participation is crucial for it to continue and to remain relevant. Thank you to Frank Chitty and that Committee for putting this together, and thank you to all who have supplied data.

I thought I could be brief with this update, but there were just too many accomplishments that needed acknowledging, and I’m sure I’m leaving some out.

Another one that stands out for me was watching the growth of our Student Outreach Committee. John Clement and Lee Katherine Ayerhart led this committee to see a greater increase in student participants than we have had in years! We have also seen a resurgence of the Wilmington Chapter, which is very exciting. I can’t wait to see what’s next for our organization.

None of these achievements would be possible without the sage leadership of our Executive Director, Melissa Klingberg. She is a tireless worker and the glue that keeps us all together. Serving beside her was an honor and privilege.

I’ve had the luxury of seeing some previews of things ahead for 2023. With NCMGMA’s 2022-23 president, you can count on a fantastic year with Chad Ghorley at the helm. Please support him, as so many of you have helped me, as we continue to be the “leaders for tomorrow’s healthcare.”

Respectfully Submitted,

Matt Johnson, MA, MBA
NCMGMA Immediate Past President

Merging Medicine & Management (M3) Conference Post Event Wrap Up

Last week, NCMGMA, along with our friends at the NC Medical Society, wrapped up our 2017 Merging Medicine & Management Conference (M3) with over 290 attendees and 59 exhibitors over the course of three days. There were many great educational sessions that integrated the nuts-and-bolts of practice management with the clinical aspect for physicians, important networking sessions with other like-minded practice managers, and exhibitor time with vendors offering the best in innovative products and services for our North Carolina practices.

The goal of the M3 conference is for the two organizations to collaborate and host a conference where administrators, managers, physicians, PAs, and students can come together, learn from one another, and attend sessions that put the focus on the practice and those leading it.

A few things we wanted to highlight from last week’s event include:

North Carolina Medical Group Management Association Names
Matt Johnson 2017 Administrator of the Year

Matt Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer of Wake Internal Medicine Consultants (WIMC), was named the 2017 NCMGMA/Medical Mutual Administrator of the Year during the Merging Medicine and Management (M3) Conference on Friday, September 15th.

The Administrator of the Year award honors a medical practice administrator who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management proficiency, and who has helped enhance the effectiveness of health care delivery in North Carolina. Sponsored by Medical Mutual Insurance Company, the Administrator of the Year Award also provides the recipient with a stipend for continuing education at a state or national Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) meeting.

Matt Johnson has been in health care since 1994 and spearheaded the joint venture between a physician-owned corporation and a not-for-profit hospital before joining WIMC in 2014. With an unwavering dedication to the betterment of each physician, manager, and staff member, Matt has created the Employee Activity Council, has organized multiple food and school drives, and has implemented Loyalty Grades throughout the 170-employee practice.

“When the committee looks at the nomination forms, we look for an individual who has strong leadership qualities, and who is an advocate for patients, staff, and community” says Fran Sembert, NCMGMA’s Governance Chair and past president. “Since Wake was awarded the Practice of the Year in 2015, we already knew it was being led by someone who is passionate about what he does, the providers he works for, and the staff he works with. Matt Johnson truly embodies what we look for when choosing the winner of this award.”

Kim Harrah Becker Volunteer Award

Kim Harrah, a beloved NCMGMA member and board member, lost her battle with cancer in 2016. To honor Kim’s vibrant personality and true dedication to anything she put her energy toward, we created the Kim Harrah Volunteer Award.

Steve Parker of Medical Mutual helped us recognize this year’s recipient, Todd Pittman, CMPE, during the M3 Conference dinner on Friday night. The Kim Harrah Volunteer Award highlights the true meaning of volunteerism for NCMGMA and we are proud to present it to Todd, a member whose continuous service and commitment to our organization truly embodies the spirit of this award.

NCMGMA Business Meeting:
New Slate of Officers

During the NCMGMA Business Meeting, Melissa White (President) gave her President’s Report and thanked the NCMGMA Leadership Council, chapter presidents, and leaders who have given their time to our organization.

Additionally, those present voted in our new board members (these are three-year terms beginning November 1, 2017):

Western Region At-Large Director
Amanda McKinney, MBA
A Woman’s View
Hickory, NC

Piedmont Region At-Large Director
Leah Paraschiv, CMPE
MSOC Health
Chapel Hill, NC

And the 2017-18 NCMGMA Officers:

President
Sandra Jarrett, CMPE
Salisbury Orthopaedic Associates, PA
Salisbury, NC

President-Elect
Jane Lutz
Charlotte Radiology, PA
Charlotte, NC

Treasurer
Tessa Wolfarth
Coastal Carolina Surgical Associates, PA
Wilmington, NC

Secretary
Donna Garvey, CMA, CMPE
Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement of Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

Thank again to all those who were able to make the 2017 M3 event!