Maria Freed, administrator of Miami based-Coral Gables Surgery Center, lends her advice on what constitutes a great administrator.
Question: What are some challenges you face as an administrator and how have you overcome some of these obstacles?
Maria Freed: ASC administrators are generalists and tackle many activities, often with minimal staff support. Time management is a big challenge. I try to look at my calendar and divide my time between operations and business development.
I used to have eight units under me and every two weeks I had to allocate my time sheet to indicate what facility and hours I had worked. I learned to allocate my time as a valuable resource and also track results. I do this for myself. Self-management and disciple are important in a compressed environment.
Q: What are key strategies that can build successful relationships with your center's physician partners?
MF: Balancing relationships with physicians who respect you and support your efforts is a rich experience. The bigger challenge is the political [aspect]. For example, [an administrator could] work with a physician who perhaps has a large volume of cases, is a successful private practice surgeon and demands respect, but struggles in work environments that are democratic, not autocratic.
I handle normal day-to-day conflict one-on-one with physicians because I am confident the issue can be resolved.
Administrators have an obligation to establish the behavioral norms in a facility. Remaining silent is not an option for me. Honesty is a very effective strategy in building good relationships.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give an administrator just starting at a surgery center?
MF: Find a person who can be your counselor and advisor. Seek them out early when things are going well – don't wait until you have a problem. This person may be able to give you perspective and offer the 35,000 feet aerial view on a particular situation. I have profited from smart and wise people in my career. Never underestimate a robust conversation that provides no solution, but leaves you thinking.
Learn more from Ms. Freed at the 24th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs in October 2017. Click here for more information.