Eye Care Leadership Live

Send us Fan Mail We talk with ophthalmology executive recruiter Greg Spruce about why senior hires go sideways in ophthalmology and what to do differently before you make a costly leadership mistake. We break down how to match operators to your business stage, validate emotional intelligence with better references, and set compensation with real market data.  • why leadership hires fail when the o...

Send us Fan Mail We use The Four Agreements to talk about what actually changes clinic culture: the words we choose, the stories we invent, and the standards we repeat. We share real ophthalmology examples that connect emotional intelligence to clearer training, better patient communication, and less day-to-day drama.  • why The Four Agreements fits eye care leadership better than another KPI play...

Send us Fan Mail We share a real-world story about a patient’s serious allegation against an employee and what it takes to respond with care, speed, and sound judgment. We break down how we build trust, gather facts, and make decisions that protect patients, staff, and the clinic’s reputation.  • A high-stakes allegation coming in unexpectedly  • Why leaders need a trusted HR partner on call  • As...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Carl White about how private practices can beat bigger competitors by leaning into what independence makes possible and by saying it clearly in their marketing. We also dig into HIPAA blind spots that show up in websites, agencies, and outreach so growth does not turn into unnecessary risk.  • the case for helping private practices stay private and why ownership shape...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Dr. Cynthia Matosian about the leadership moves that keep eye care practices sustainable when costs rise and reimbursements fall. We dig into building patient-first culture, learning the business skills most clinicians never get taught, and using smarter purchasing to protect margin and reinvest in the team.  • planning a thoughtful transition from clinical work to a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, which originally posted in June 2025, my esteemed guest was Hillary Golden.  Hillary is a keynote speaker and advisor on the topic of patient care in ophthalmology with a particular focus (no pun intended) on glaucoma.  Doctors, practice administrators, and healthcare technicians will learn about the experience of a patient from diagnosis to ongoing treatment. Whe...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Jennifer Church Kilkenny about what actually drives growth for cash-pay services in healthcare, from local search intent to email lists you control. We also get real about social media tactics, staff involvement, paid ads strategy, and the compliance lines clinics cannot cross.  • her core client mix across aesthetic medical practices and the rise of med spas across s...

Send us Fan Mail In this show, I talk about rest as a form of self-care that makes us better leaders, not just better at “getting through” the week. I share practical ways to protect our energy so we can think clearly, support our teams, and improve clinic culture and financial results.  • defining rest as what fuels our spirit and thinking  • using solitude and a change of environment to generate...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Mike Guelcher of Prism Consulting Partners about what really drives an ophthalmology or optometry practice sale and why “value” is not the same thing as the final price. We dig into the human side of transitions, the metrics that keep you ready, and how to approach exit planning so you choose your exit instead of the market choosing it for you. • why practice valuatio...

Send us Fan Mail We break down why technician turnover stays high in busy eye care clinics and how better hiring and onboarding fixes it. We share practical ways to validate skills, build a consistent training program, and create a culture where new techs feel confident and seen. • shadowing candidates before an offer to confirm fit  • verifying “experience” by checking how skills are done  • usin...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with healthcare attorney Matt Stevens about the real-world legal and operational fights clinics face with insurance reimbursement, audits, and payer clawbacks, plus the steps that keep small problems from turning into career-level crises. We also get practical about employment disputes and why strong systems, especially timekeeping, reduce wage and hour exposure even when...

Send us Fan Mail A harassment allegation can make even experienced clinic leaders freeze, not because they don’t care, but because every move has consequences. We’ve handled these situations many times, and we break down what actually works when a sexual harassment complaint shows up in real life: how to act quickly without being reckless, how to be delicate without being vague, and how to protect...

Send us Fan Mail Mike talks with Kurt Defenbaugh about why culture is not a slogan or a perks program, but the lived DNA of a clinic that either gets designed on purpose or assigned by default. We walk through a concrete method for defining core values, then use those values to hire better, develop staff, align physicians, and build a team that trusts leadership.  • culture as alignment rather tha...

Send us Fan Mail Hiring shouldn’t feel like a weekly emergency, but in many ophthalmology and optometry clinics it does: outdated job descriptions, endless resumes, interview no-shows, and the temptation to grab the first person who seems “good enough.” I’m trying a new format called Tales From The Trenches, and I’m sharing practical hiring lessons I’m using right now with eye care clients so you...

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Dr. Melissa Barnett about how a dry eye and specialty contact lens optometrist becomes an ICF credentialed coach and why that work brings her so much joy. We dig into burnout, clarity, and leadership habits that help eye care teams set real goals and follow through. • burnout, mindfulness, and team communication • the difference between mentoring, consulting, therapy,...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is to announce that Mandy Cansler Consulting and I are launching a free, multi-phase ophthalmology compensation survey so leaders can stop relying on generic healthcare numbers and start benchmarking pay with data that matches real practice roles. We explain why ophthalmology-specific compensation data is so hard to find, what we’re collecting in phase one, and how we...

Send us Fan Mail My guest for this episode is Luke Goetting, a speaker and advisor on leading Generation Z and across generations.  We unpack how digital natives changed the rules of retention and why eye care clinics win when they trade secrecy for transparency, titles for skills, and rigid roles for internal gigs. Luke Goetting shares concrete ways to map growth, invite input, and turn ideas int...

Send us Fan Mail In this show, I tackle the real question behind manager overload: when an eye care clinic needs more leadership coverage to protect retention, productivity, and culture. We share clear warning signs, practical alternatives to hiring, and what to look for when choosing the next leader. • employee feedback as the first red flag when support is missing • why manager availability shap...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Amy Ford of Curo Research to map the real-world path to launching and scaling clinical research inside an eye care clinic. We dig into staff growth, budgeting that actually covers the work, sponsor red flags, and where ophthalmic research is headed. • defining coordinator, data, and regulatory roles as distinct growth paths • physician traits that predict success,...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how a 30‑year optometrist reconnected with purpose, found her voice through vulnerability, and turned a clinic into a culture powered by gratitude and action. The story spans a viral poem, practice reinvestment, children’s books, and the simple habits that keep leaders on fire. • patients as purpose and the post‑COVID awakening • staying in your lane vs stepping into co...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack the paradox of speed in HR and show how to move quickly without breaking culture. From hiring to onboarding to tough calls, we share practical systems that build confidence, reduce risk, and raise performance across eye care teams. • defining values and role-critical skills for hiring • hiring smart instead of hiring slow • avoiding desperation hires and “okay” performer...

Send us Fan Mail We break down how MIPS really works, why the 75‑point threshold matters, and how to stop the year‑end scramble by building a simple plan that fits ophthalmology and medical optometry. Jackie Waterhouse and Ashley Hennis share practical steps on measures, EHRs, staffing, and audits. • what MIPS is and how Medicare ties payment to quality • why rule changes, benchmarks and practice...

Send us Fan Mail Spoke to Dr. Irfan Ali about his journey to creating a large healthcare business and his passion for art, self care, and remaining humble through the struggles of life.  Dr. Ali began his career as a physician in Pakistan and immigrated to the US, where he worked as a researcher and home improvement store janitor, before establishing his medical license and building a huge healthc...

Send us Fan Mail We explore how leaders in eye care can stop playing fixer and start coaching in ways that reduce burnout, build real capability, and improve clinic flow. We share scripts, mindset prompts, and time tactics that make coaching up and coaching inward both doable and effective. • difference between consulting, mentoring and coaching • why curiosity and silence unlock better answers •...

Send us Fan Mail Chad Miller and I explore how small and mid-sized ophthalmology businesses can compete for talent and drive profit by building culture into daily behavior, not posters. We unpack the real cost of turnover, low-cost listening tools, and how to coach struggling managers toward values alignment. • how good bosses, teams, and culture retain talent • the 0.5 to 2x salary cost of turnov...