Interview with Dr. Lara Hochman

This week, we discover that the Medical Matchmaker has a traditional solution for burnout: joining the right medical group.

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Dr. Lara Hochman is a Family Medicine physician. She graduated from the University of Texas School of Medicine and finished her family medicine residency at St. Anthony North Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Solving the Burnout Problem

Dr. Lara Hochman is the “Medical Matchmaker.” She fights to protect the wellness of her medical colleagues in the face of escalating burnout and unhappiness. Her own experiences inspired her to research how physicians lose their autonomy and how they might regain their commitment to treating patients.

In order to connect physicians with successful, physician-owned private practices where they can once again enjoy practicing medicine, she launched Happy Day Health, a boutique physician-matching business.

Our Sponsor

We’re proud to have the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, as the sponsor of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest-running, and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country. It has over 700 graduates. And, the program only takes one year to complete. 

By joining the UT Physician Executive MBA, you will develop the business and management skills you need to find a career that you love. To find out more, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office at (865) 974-6526 or go to nonclinicalphysicians.com/physicianmba.

Happy Day Health Services

Dr. Hochman loved medicine but detested the healthcare system. So, she founded her company to provide a remedy for the burnout it produces. She steps in to act as a medical matchmaker, connecting doctors to physician-owned practices.

Happy Day Health assists physicians in locating practices that closely reflect their personal and professional values. In the process, it helps practices find physicians. Dr. Hochman also provides advice to physicians about creating their resumés, understanding their contracts, and preparing for interviews.

Building the Medical Matchmaker Business

During the interview, Lara describes how starting a business requires accepting uncertainty and learning as you go. In medicine, we are taught to aim for perfection and spend many years learning the rules. In business, however, it is sometimes necessary to learn on the fly, make mistakes, and course-correct as needed along the way. 

This process can be exhausting and emotionally distressing, but it will lead to a point where you feel confident in what you’re doing. By following your instincts, and maintaining a commitment to make a difference you find satisfaction and encouragement to keep going. 

Challenges for Physicians Going ‘Private’

When comparing private practice with hospital-based practices, salary is often the driving factor that influences a physician’s selection. But that can be short-sighted. In a small practice, you have an opportunity to be a decision-maker. And the long-term benefits of autonomy and becoming an owner should be considered. 

Working with and for other physicians is a much more collegial situation. It is less likely to create an inflexible corporate environment driven by patient volumes and the need to push downstream revenues.

Dr. Hochman’s Advice

When it comes to salary… it can actually potentially be much higher in private practice. You just have to be able to delay gratification a little bit longer… Also, if you find a practice that you feel will treat you well and pay you a salary that you’re happy with, do it. Don’t wait. 

Summary

Dr. Lara Hochman has dedicated herself to connecting physicians with private practices run by other physicians. In the process, she is helping to prevent and overcome the burnout that occurs when working in a high-volume corporate environment. And by doing so, she overcome her own disappointment in the U.S. healthcare system and discovered her purpose. 

NOTE: Look below for a transcript of today’s episode. 

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