By Nicola Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA, CPC
Article provided courtesy of SpineSearch

In the world of neurosurgery, the role of the practice administrator is critical. The administrator is the glue that binds the practice together, managing staff and resources and often serving as a bridge between clinical and operational excellence. Yet, with great responsibility comes the risk of burnout—a condition that can impact not only individual well-being but also the efficiency of the entire practice. It’s not surprising that burnout is a risk.

The following strategies help neurosurgery administrators stay focused, energized, and practical while fostering a culture promoting sustainability and success.

2024 Partner article courtesy of RosmanSearch

If you need to hire a new physician in 2025, consider this your friendly wake-up call: it’s crunch time. The physician hiring scene has never been more competitive, and physicians conduct job searches earlier than ever! Many top candidates are already deep into decision-making—and many have signed on the dotted line.

Physicians will make their decisions based on many factors. Competitive compensation and benefits matter, but many physicians seek a work environment that values balance and growth. They want to know about call schedules, dedicated time for administration or research tasks, and the possibility of flexible hours. They also want to see a clear path for professional development—CME opportunities, leadership training, and research support. And don’t overlook the growing appeal of student loan repayment assistance. Showing that you understand their financial reality can go a long way and make your offer stand out.

Help us welcome our new members to NERVES! The Regional Directors representing the Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, and North/Midwest regions would like to personally welcome you to our great professional organization. We are excited you have decided to join us and look forward to getting to know you!

Southwest

• Tiffany Sanchez, UNMH School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Albuquerque, NM
• Cindy Yang, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA

Southeast

• Kerry Cartledge, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
• Lauren Ellis Burnette, UofL Health Brain & Spine Institute, Louisville, KY
• Jacob Lewis, Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists, LLC, Sarasota, FL
• Michael McDermott, Miami Neuroscience Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL
• Somer Palmer, Center for Neurosurgical and Spine Care, Dunedin, FL
• Rosa Perez, BMG Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Tampa, FL
• Carla Schmitt, LifeBridge Brain and Spine Institute, Parkton, MD
• Earl Wagner, University of Miami Neurological Surgery, Miami, FL
• Rebecca Wallack, University of Miami Health Department of Neurosurgery, Coconut Grove, FL

Northeast

• Catherine Caldwell, Geisinger, Danville, PA
• Kelly Clevesy, Neurosurgeons of Cape Cod, Hyannis, MA
• Eduardo De La Mata, Trinity Health of New England Medical Group - Neuroscience, Hartford, CT
• Mary Morales, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
• Diana Proper, University of Rochester Medical Center - Neurosurgery, Rochester, NY
• Brian Sullivan, Advanced Neurosurgery Associates, Rutherford, NJ
• Drake Watters, UPMC Neurological Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA

North/Midwest

• Shelley Aranas, Northwestern Medicine Neurosurgery, Naperville, IL
• Brian Bain, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Candice Devedzic, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
• Laura Jackson, Medical College of Wisconsin - Neurosurgery, Milwaukee, WI
• Timothy McPhillips, Neurosurgery, Downers Grove, IL
• Christine Patterson, Michigan Head and Spine, Ypsilanti, MI
• Shauna Slater, Coastal Neurology and Neurosurgery, Anchorage, AK
• Vivien Spyra, Kootenai Clinic Neurosurgery & Spine, Neurology, ENT, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, and Physiatry, Coeur d Alene, ID
• Kati Walters Knoll, Key Clinics, LLC, Ontario, OH

Dear NERVES Members,

As we close out another successful year, I want to reflect on our progress and share some exciting updates for the months ahead.

Our partnership with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) continues to grow stronger, solidifying the collaborative bond that helps us better serve our members and the field of neurosurgery. This partnership is an incredible asset, and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities it will bring in the coming year. 

Get to know Anthony Conrad, MS, PA-C, MBA, of Northwell Health, Staten Island University Hospital. Anthony is one of our new NERVES members in the Northeast region.

A native of Staten Island, Anthony Conrad serves as the Clinical Director for the Department of Neurosurgery, Northwell Health, Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). Anthony started his career as a Physician Assistant and has worked exclusively in neurosurgery in both private practice and employed groups throughout the NYC area. Ambitious to continue his impact in healthcare and grow, Anthony made the transition to leadership where he has been in his role for two and half years but is no stranger to SIUH, having started his career there as a PA student. In his role, Anthony is the administrative lead for the Department and partners with Ronit Gilad, MD, at SIUH, where his responsibilities include all strategic, operational and quality oversight of the clinical services at SIUH. One of Anthony’s favorite parts of his job is the versatility it allows. From being in the operating room, at the bedside, meeting with industry partners, or key stakeholders on a process improvement project or new program roll out, there is a constant challenge and opportunity to grow.

Help us welcome our new members to NERVES! The Regional Directors representing the Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, and North/Midwest regions would like to personally welcome you to our great professional organization. We are excited you have decided to join us and look forward to getting to know you!

Southwest

• Victoria Cairns, Ascension Texas, Austin, TX
• Angela Castillo, University of Arizona/Banner University Medical Group, Tucson, AZ
• Jason Cormier, Acadiana Neurosurgery, Lafayette, LA
• Melissa Kelly, Ascension St. John, Tulsa, OK
• Lisa Sanchez, Barrow Brain and Spine, Phoenix, AZ
• Amanda Sowell, Baylor Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine), Richmond, TX
• Jeffrey Thomas, Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation, Hillsborough, CA

Southeast

• Courtney Brandon, Medical University of South Carolina, Johns Island, SC
• Dianna Hall, University of Alabama at Birmingham | Department of Neurosurgery, Pinson, AL
• Carol Kennedy, Sentara Neurosurgery Specialists, Norfolk, VA

Northeast

• Lyndsey Borges, BWH Neurosurgery, Boston, MA
• Anthony Conrad, Northwell Health, Staten Island University Hospital Neurosurgery, Staten Island, NY
• Courtney Gilligan, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, MA
• Fazal Khan, New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute, Morristown, NJ
• Brigit McDermott, BWH Neurosurgery, Boston, MA
• Mackenzie Saitta, BWH Neurosurgery, Boston, MA
• Isabelle Schulte, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Quincy, MA
• Srihari Sundararajan, University Radiology Group / Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, East Brunswick, NJ

North/Midwest

• Cody Edwards, Neurosurgery of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
• Terra Hines, Wyoming Spine and Neurosurgery Associates, Cheyenne, WY
• Karla Krey, Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, LLC, Stillwater, MN
• Karen Lloyd, Mercy Clinic Neurosurgery, St. Louis, MO
• Amy Tinney, Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, Stillwater, MN

The NERVES Annual Meeting continues to be one of our favorite conferences to attend as the leadership and membership have been welcoming and engaging. Unlike other conferences, as an industry partner, we are included in advancing NERVES and have an opportunity to meet with the membership. We appreciate NERVES including us in the main speaker’s area, which has allowed us to interact with each of you professionally and socially.

From this partnership, we have had the pleasure of meeting several members to discuss opportunities within their organizations. We have appreciated the opportunity to interact with the membership in this way and support your practices.

About Pinnacle

Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting is your partner in healthcare advisory, consulting, and focused operational support services to manage risk, improve performance, and create innovative solutions. Comprised of six divisions, Pinnacle provides superior services in the areas of compensation valuation & provider arrangements; transaction support services & valuation; strategy, value-based care & cost reduction; coding, compliance & revenue cycle services; enterprise risk & healthcare operations management support; and real estate consulting.

The Annual Meeting Committee has met three times since Chicago and is diligently working on our upcoming Annual Meeting. Based on feedback from the 2024 Annual Meeting, the Committee’s goal is to maintain a similar format, which includes excursions and practice tours to supplement our robust educational sessions. Fourteen keynote speakers have been reviewed and the Committee is close to making a final selection.

To keep our membership informed of the activities and health of the association, we are posting our most recent collection of NERVES committee reports. In this issue you will find the Communications Committee Report, the Education Committee Report, the Membership Committee Report, the Survey Committee Report, and the Washington Update.

Communications Committee Report

By Jon Nguyen, Secretary, Communications Committee Chair

Dear NERVES Friends,

I am thrilled to share an update on all the exciting developments at NERVES. First and foremost, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to John Moeller for his outstanding leadership as president. His dedication has profoundly impacted us all, both through his friendship and mentorship. As he steps down, he leaves a significant legacy that I, alongside our board, aspire to uphold. A personal thank you from me to you, John, for your friendship and guidance as I follow in your footsteps.

Thank you for joining us on March 27th for the NERVES 2024 Coding Updates webinar and many thanks to The Coding Network’s Jeremy Clark for his presentation. If you would like to rewatch this webinar, or if you weren’t able to join us, please see the link and passcode below with the presentation slides attached. 

The NERVES Nominating Committee would like to submit the following ballot of nominees for your consideration and support. Final voting by the membership will be during our Annual Business meeting set for Thursday, May 2nd at the Loews Chicago Hotel. 

Officers 

Help us welcome our new members to NERVES! The Regional Directors representing the Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, and North/Midwest regions would like to personally welcome you to our great professional organization. We are excited you have decided to join us and look forward to getting to know you!

Southwest

• Rose Castanola, Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio, Live Oak, TX
• Marlyn Grice, OUHSC Department of Neurosurgery, Oklahoma City, OK
• Lilian Le, UT Southwestern Medical Center Neurological Surgery, Dallas, TX
• Alicia O'Gilbert, UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX

Southeast

• Michelle DuJardin, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
• Hailey Lundquist, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, Greensboro, NC
• Melissa Redick, Norton Neuroscience Institute, Louisville, KY

Northeast

• Theresa Berry, Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, Clinton, CT
• Jack Cowell, Brigham and Women's Hospital Neurosurgery, Wrentham, MA
• Lyndsey Gill, Princeton Brain, Spine and Sports Medicine, New Egypt, NJ
• Jillian Hinckley, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Malden, MA
• Mary Moakes, Main Line HealthCare, Phoenixville, PA
• John O'Neill, Neurological Surgery, NYC, NY

North/Midwest

• Joseph Chabot, Medical College Physicians-Harbor Town Campus, De Pere, WI
• Sophie Church, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
• Alexander Cmil, Neurosurgery One, Littleton, CO
• Jessica Cotter, Mayfield Brain & Spine, Cincinnati, OH
• Lindsay Finton, Mayfield Brain & Spine, Cincinnati, OH
• Jeanette Linebaugh, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
• Hallie McCluskey, Kettering Health Brain and Spine, Miamisburg, OH
• Cara McInerney, Ascension Illinois, Oak Brook, IL

By Nicola Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA, CPC

Accurate Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) coding is not only essential for financial stability but also directly impacts patient care. Healthcare systems face significant financial losses due to coding errors. According to recent data, hospitals across the country lose approximately $262 billion per year due to denied claims from insurers, leading to cash-flow issues and recovery costs. Additionally, an estimated 9% of hospital charges are denied annually, putting nearly $5 million per hospital at risk.

Dear NERVES Members,

I hope all is well with you. It is sunny and 64 degrees today in Indianapolis. Not bad for March! Let’s hope spring is truly here and this isn’t just a tease. Along with spring flowers and a better mood overall - it is time for our Annual Meeting!

By Barton Associates

Every day across the United States, travel healthcare clinicians and locum tenens providers take temporary assignments in hospitals and other facilities to bridge staffing gaps and ensure continuity of patient care. Due to the nomadic nature of their work, these healthcare professionals offer a unique perspective on the industry than those who work traditional, permanent jobs at health facilities.

To keep our membership informed of the activities and health of the association, we are posting our most recent collection of NERVES committee reports. In this issue you will find the CSNS Committee Report, the Education Committee Report, the Membership Committee Report, the Survey Committee Report, and the Washington Liaison Report.

CSNS Committee Report

By Derek Cantrell, CSNS Liaison

During the 2023 NERVES Annual Meeting in San Diego, NERVES Secretary Antoine Curtis took time to interview Brian Asmussen, MBA, FACHE, Senior Director, Global UNiD Lab & Customer Engagement | intelligent Data Solutions (iDS), of Medtronic.

During their brief conversation, Antoine asks Brian about his history in neurosurgery and NERVES, pulls out a few fun facts and ask Brian to discuss the value of being a NERVES Annual Partner. Click on the thumbnail below to watch Brian's video profile.

During the 2023 NERVES Annual Meeting in San Diego, NERVES Secretary Antoine Curtis took time to interview Immediate Past President Donna Bailer, JD, LLM. Donna is the Executive Administrator - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”) School of Medicine.

During their brief conversation, Antoine asks Donna about her history in the organization, the value of being a member of NERVES and her advice for current and future neurosurgery practice leaders. Click on the thumbnail below to watch Donna's video profile.

By Avant-garde Health

Hospitals’ Financial Challenges

As inflation persists and interest rates and labor costs continue to rise, US hospitals face increasing financial challenges. Meanwhile, reimbursement levels from public and private payers have yet to catch up with inflation, and payment delays and denials are growing, putting additional pressure on hospital revenue. As a consequence, some hospitals have been hit with credit downgrades or resorted to staff layoffs to stay afloat. According to the latest Kaufman Hall’s National Hospital Flash Report on a sample of 900 US hospitals, operating margins showed a sign of improvement in the last several months but they were sitting at “razor-thin, near-zero levels, putting hospitals in a vulnerable position should a recession or new public health emergency materialize.”