InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice ManagementTechnology

Growing your “Middle Age” Practice to $1MM and Beyond – Dr. Kevin Henne [#R051]

Fewer than 5% of optometric practices ever get past the $1 million dollar a year revenue landmark.

Indeed, according to Dr. Jerry Hayes in his book, getting past the $900k barrier is one of the most daunting challenges a practitioner faces.

The Challenge:
How can a solo practitioner, in practice for 30 years with mostly static growth, ramp up his practice to crack the $1MM barrier?

In this on-the-road episode of ODwire.org Radio, we take a trip to Jacksonville, FL to speak with Dr. Kevin Henne and Dr. Tim Petito.

We first talk to Dr. Henne about how he’s transformed his “mature” practice to accelerate its growth in an attempt to crack the million-dollar revenue barrier.

We specifically cover:

  • Why Dr. Henne decided to “go for it” and accelerate the growth of his practice with new technology, after years of stable growth
  • What tech he decided to implement, including automated refraction systems (the EPIC system) and automated patient recall systems
  • How it altered his workflow
  • Whether or not his staff resisted (or mutinied!)
  • How his gross and net have improved
  • How the perception of his office has changed with patients
  • What some of the challenges were in the implementation phase
  • …. and whether or not he’s made it to $1MM!

Dr. Petito also tells us about his practice which is demographically very different from Dr. Henne’s (ie, more elderly), but still benefitted from new technology.

Dr. Henne and Dr. Petito can take your questions in this thread.

(Thanks to Marco for inviting me into their corporate HQ and providing us with a nice quiet space for us to record the interview! I confess that I totally littered their place with cables, microphones, etc… and I didn’t even have Paul around to blame!)

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioTechnology

Biologic Therapies and PROKERA with Dr. Nick Colatrella [#R038]

Biologic therapies (using substances made from living organisms to treat disease) are the latest cutting-edge tool that you can implement in your practice to improve patient outcomes.

In this ODwire.org Radio show, we sit down with Nick Colatrella, OD, FAAO to discuss:

  • What biologic therapies are
  • How he uses them in his private practice in Minnesota
  • How clinicians who want to get started with biologic therapies can do so & build them into their practices.

We also talk more in-depth with Dr. Colatrella about PROKERA®, a biologic corneal bandage composed of preserved amniotic membrane tissue.

Docs who want to provide leading-edge care to their patients & differentiate themselves should take a listen to this show!

Please discuss your experiences with biologic therapies in the thread below, Dr. Colatrella can answer any follow-up questions here!

Continue Reading
ODwire.org RadioTechnology

Growing Your Practice with Advanced Clinical Technologies – Dr. Jennifer Redfern [#R035]

Young clinicians frequently ask how they can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

In this ODwire.org Radio Show, Dr. Jennifer Redfern sits down with us to discuss the impact of using the latest clinical technologies in her practice.

We focus on the Duette lens by SynergEyes, and how she’s using this advanced technology lens to differentiate herself & grow her contact lens practice.

If you have any questions for Jennifer, feel free to leave a message in this thread (or contact her via an ODwire.org Private Message.)

Our thanks to SynergEyes for sponsoring this show

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioTechnology

Pupil Dependent Refraction – Dr. John Warren (Part 3 of 3) [#R027]

Why isn’t a patient seeing clearly even though you’ve refracted them perfectly?

Why do you frequently see a major impact on the Rx in sunlight vs. dark

In this final interview with Dr. John Warren, we talk about the idea of the “Pupil Dependent Refraction” —

  • how aberrometry can help provide you with the data that you need to give the patient the best clinical outcome possible.
  • How to work the technology into your exam and office workflow
  • How to have a positive ROI when implementing this technology
Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice ManagementTechnology

Integrating Wavefront Technology into your Refraction – Dr. John Warren (part 2 of 3) [R#026]

Picking up where the last talk left off, Dr. Warren talks to us about Wavefront Technology, and how to integrate it into your exams to improve clinical outcomes.

We review:

  • What Wavefront Technology is
  • How it can improve the accuracy of your refraction
  • How it increases patient satisfaction, and the impact this has had on Dr. Warren’s practice.

Part 2 of 3.

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice ManagementTechnology

Transforming Your Practice with Technology with Dr. John Warren, Part 1 [#R025]

Equipping your practice with the latest technology can be a daunting prospect.

From automated vision testing equipment to EHRs, choosing the latest technology and integrating it effectively into your office can seem like an impossible task.

In this ODwire.org Radio episode, Dr. John Warren, private practitioner and founder of RevolutionEHR, gives some concrete advice & talks about how he transformed his practice from a low-tech operation (which would have looked familiar to a doc from 40 years ago!), into a modern, high-tech operation.

We review:

  • How to choose the right equipment for your practice
  • How to integrate the equipment into your workflow
  • Things to look for when talking to vendors
  • The impact that technology has had on his practice — both on patient care and profitability.

Part 1 of 3.

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice ManagementTechnology

The Nuts and Bolts of Implementing Automated Vision Testing in Practice [#R017]

Automated Vision Testing can make a practice more efficient, more profitable, and even change the mix of patients that you see.

But getting started with high-tech equipment can be a daunting prospect for many clinicians.

Louis J. Catania, O.D., FAAO., D.Sc. stops by ODwire.org Radio to discuss the nuts-and-bolts of getting your practice up to speed with Automated Vision Testing.

A recognized expert in new eye care technologies (and voted one of the 10 most influential optometrists of the 20th century!), Lou has implemented Automated Testing in his own practice, and he shares his “do’s and don’ts” based on real experience.

Continue Reading