Joseph Gira, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his experience with building and growing a business in ophthalmology. He outlines his career history, commenting on his skills for working and collaborating with other doctors and the benefits of working with optometry as a backbone for success. Dr. Gira also describes his experience working in private equity, sharing potential pitfalls and successes for younger surgeons to consider.

Joseph Gira, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share his experience with building and growing a business in ophthalmology. He outlines his career history, commenting on his skills for working and collaborating with other doctors and the benefits of working with optometry as a backbone for success. Dr. Gira also describes his experience working in private equity, sharing potential pitfalls and successes for younger surgeons to consider.

Keys to Successful Growth in Ophthalmology

Farrell “Toby” Tyson, MD, FACS, joins the podcast to speak with Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, about the lessons he has learned from expanding his practice. Dr. Tyson shares critical elements to success in expansion, including the value of location visibility, the pros and cons of having an optical shop, and strategies to manage cash flow, drive more revenue, and attract top talent.

Farrell “Toby” Tyson, MD, FACS, joins the podcast to speak with Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, about the lessons he has learned from expanding his practice. Dr. Tyson shares critical elements to success in expansion, including the value of location visibility, the pros and cons of having an optical shop, and strategies to manage cash flow, drive more revenue, and attract top talent.

Successful Strategies for Practice Expansion

In the next installment of how to build a business in ophthalmology, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, speak with Rupa Wong, MD, about her experience building her personal brand and business through social media. Dr. Wong shares insights into evaluating how to invest in one’s social media marketing efforts and gives advice for creating engaging, authentic content that resonates with a specific target audience. She also shares tips for launching and building a successful private practice and discusses learning experiences, tips for networking, and more.

In the next installment of how to build a business in ophthalmology, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, speak with Rupa Wong, MD, about her experience building her personal brand and business through social media. Dr. Wong shares insights into evaluating how to invest in one’s social media marketing efforts and gives advice for creating engaging, authentic content that resonates with a specific target audience. She also shares tips for launching and building a successful private practice and discusses learning experiences, tips for networking, and more.

Practical Tools for Building Your Brand on Social Media

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, continue this season’s theme of how to grow a business and welcome Brent Saunders, chairman and CEO of Bausch + Lomb, to discuss his experiences in ophthalmology. Mr. Saunders touches on how he defines business success, emphasizing the value of having a great mentor and encouraging young ophthalmologists not to shy away from taking risks. 

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, continue this season’s theme of how to grow a business and welcome Brent Saunders, chairman and CEO of Bausch + Lomb, to discuss his experiences in ophthalmology. Mr. Saunders touches on how he defines business success, emphasizing the value of having a great mentor and encouraging young ophthalmologists not to shy away from taking risks.

Defining Business Success

In this special live episode, recorded during the YoungMD Connect Live meeting in Austin, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, sit down with Shannon Wong, MD, to discuss his leadership philosophy and how he models his practice. Dr. Wong describes challenges he has faced regarding his practice and explains how he overcame them, citing how to learn from mistakes and grow the business by building a team of experts.

In this special live episode, recorded during the YoungMD Connect Live meeting in Austin, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, sit down with Shannon Wong, MD, to discuss his leadership philosophy and how he models his practice. Dr. Wong describes challenges he has faced regarding his practice and explains how he overcame them, citing how to learn from mistakes and grow the business by building a team of experts.

Discussion of Practice Leadership Philosophy From the YMDC Live Meeting

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite friend and mentor James Loden, MD, to the podcast to discuss his experience building his practice and brand. Dr. Loden shares insights for young surgeons by explaining the best decisions to grow his business and potential pitfalls to avoid. The three physicians further discuss how to discover opportunities for expanding a business and determining how it aligns with one’s personal career goals.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite friend and mentor James Loden, MD, to the podcast to discuss his experience building his practice and brand. Dr. Loden shares insights for young surgeons by explaining the best decisions to grow his business and potential pitfalls to avoid. The three physicians further discuss how to discover opportunities for expanding a business and determining how it aligns with one’s personal career goals.

Discover Opportunities for Business Growth

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, begins the first episode of the 2023 season of Ophthalmology off the Grid by bringing back the podfather himself—Gary Wörtz, MD—as co-host. The theme for the 2023 season examines the business side of ophthalmology. Drs. Williamson and Wörtz share insights as practice owners and discuss the key questions one should address when building a brand.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, begins the first episode of the 2023 season of Ophthalmology off the Grid by bringing back the podfather himself—Gary Wörtz, MD—as co-host. The theme for the 2023 season examines the business side of ophthalmology. Drs. Williamson and Wörtz share insights as practice owners and discuss the key questions one should address when building a brand.

Building Your Brand in Ophthalmology

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, is joined by Jorawer Singh, MD; Jeffrey Whitman, MD; William Rabourn; and John Blanck to further discuss the intricacies of owning an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). In this episode, Dr. Whitman shares his experience as an ophthalmologist who has found success with an ASC and selling shares to younger partners. Dr. Singh addresses several challenges young ophthalmologists can face when buying into an ASC. Finally, consultants William Rabourn and John Blanck share insights into how to overcome these challenges.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, is joined by Jorawer Singh, MD; Jeffrey Whitman, MD; William Rabourn; and John Blanck to further discuss the intricacies of owning an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). In this episode, Dr. Whitman shares his experience as an ophthalmologist who has found success with an ASC and selling shares to younger partners. Dr. Singh addresses several challenges young ophthalmologists can face when buying into an ASC. Finally, consultants William Rabourn and John Blanck share insights into how to overcome these challenges.

Ownership Positions in ASCs

In this special collaboration of YoungMD Connect and Survive &amp; Thrive, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, invited Caroline Watson, MD; Rupa Wong, MD; and financial advisor Victoria Consoles, CFP, EA, to share insights into how to make smart choices with debt and investments in three different career scenarios. Don’t miss the information shared during this workshop and learn answers to real-world questions for ophthalmologists to find financial success.

In this special collaboration of YoungMD Connect and Survive &amp; Thrive, Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, invited Caroline Watson, MD; Rupa Wong, MD; and financial advisor Victoria Consoles, CFP, EA, to share insights into how to make smart choices with debt and investments in three different career scenarios. Don’t miss the information shared during this workshop and learn answers to real-world questions for ophthalmologists to find financial success.

Survive & Thrive: Making Smart Choices With Debt and Investments

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, continues the topic from a previous episode about ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). In this episode, Taylor Strange, DO, discusses his career journey from starting a new practice, increasing surgical volume, and eventually building an ASC as a long-term business strategy. Stephen Sheppard, from Medical Consulting Group, shares insights into the most appropriate road map and timeline for young physicians to anticipate if they are interested in investing in an ASC.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, continues the topic from a previous episode about ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). In this episode, Taylor Strange, DO, discusses his career journey from starting a new practice, increasing surgical volume, and eventually building an ASC as a long-term business strategy. Stephen Sheppard, from Medical Consulting Group, shares insights into the most appropriate road map and timeline for young physicians to anticipate if they are interested in investing in an ASC.

The Roadmap to Building Your ASC

Open. Outspoken. It's Ophthalmology off the Grid - an honest look at controversial topics in the field.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, sits down with Priyanka Sood, MD; Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD; Cristos Ifantides, MD; and Brent Kramer, MD, to compare the differences between private practice and an academic setting. Dr. Sood shares her career experience working in both settings and explains why she found academia to be a better fit. Dr. Bedrood discusses how her personal goals more closely aligned with private practice. Drs. Ifantides and Kramer share how their private practice experiences still involve some aspects of academia, such as performing research and training surgeons.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, sits down with Priyanka Sood, MD; Sahar Bedrood, MD, PhD; Cristos Ifantides, MD; and Brent Kramer, MD, to compare the differences between private practice and an academic setting. Dr. Sood shares her career experience working in both settings and explains why she found academia to be a better fit. Dr. Bedrood discusses how her personal goals more closely aligned with private practice. Drs. Ifantides and Kramer share how their private practice experiences still involve some aspects of academia, such as performing research and training surgeons.

Survive & Thrive: Academia Versus Private Practice

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts a new installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests Arjan Hura, MD; Usiwoma Abugo, MD; and David Felsted, DO. The panel addresses a key question for surgeons in training and early years of residency: Should you pursue a fellowship? Listen as Drs. Hura, Abugo, and Felsted share their experiences and discuss how they arrived at their decisions based on individual passions and professional goals.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts a new installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests Arjan Hura, MD; Usiwoma Abugo, MD; and David Felsted, DO. The panel addresses a key question for surgeons in training and early years of residency: Should you pursue a fellowship? Listen as Drs. Hura, Abugo, and Felsted share their experiences and discuss how they arrived at their decisions based on individual passions and professional goals.

Survive & Thrive: To Fellowship or Not to Fellowship?

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and cohost Michael Patterson, DO, invite Andrew Maller, MBA, COE, from BSM Consulting, to discuss critical information for young surgeons about the potential to buy into an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). The trio shares insights into the value of being business-minded to maintain a successful practice and address common questions to determine opportunities to find a path to ownership.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and cohost Michael Patterson, DO, invite Andrew Maller, MBA, COE, from BSM Consulting, to discuss critical information for young surgeons about the potential to buy into an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). The trio shares insights into the value of being business-minded to maintain a successful practice and address common questions to determine opportunities to find a path to ownership.

Defining a Path to ASC Ownership

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts another installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests Brenton Finklea, MD; Rahul Tonk, MD; Camila Albo, MD; and Mike Zein, MD, to share advice for ophthalmology resident applicants as the match approaches. Drs. Albo and Zein share advice as PGY-1 ophthalmology residents who have recently gone through the match process, commenting on what to look for when researching different programs. Drs. Finklea and Tonk share perspectives from the other side of the interview table and touch on how to have a strong, authentic, and memorable interview.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts another installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests Brenton Finklea, MD; Rahul Tonk, MD; Camila Albo, MD; and Mike Zein, MD, to share advice for ophthalmology resident applicants as the match approaches. Drs. Albo and Zein share advice as PGY-1 ophthalmology residents who have recently gone through the match process, commenting on what to look for when researching different programs. Drs. Finklea and Tonk share perspectives from the other side of the interview table and touch on how to have a strong, authentic, and memorable interview.

Survive & Thrive: Approaching the Match

Cohosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Darrell E. White, MD, invite guest Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, to the podcast to discuss the relationship between his work in ophthalmology and his personal life. The trio of surgeons discusses how to incorporate personal activities into a busy professional schedule and the importance of taking time to focus on family and friends.

Cohosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Darrell E. White, MD, invite guest Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, to the podcast to discuss the relationship between his work in ophthalmology and his personal life. The trio of surgeons discusses how to incorporate personal activities into a busy professional schedule and the importance of taking time to focus on family and friends.

Are You Working to Live or Living to Work?

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts another installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests John P. Berdahl, MD, and Robert J. Weinstock, MD, to discuss the topic of clinical research in private practice. Drs. Berdahl and Weinstock share pearls and insights for those who have a research interest but are unsure how to get started outside of academia. Listen to learn more about the types of research one can conduct in this setting to help advance the field of ophthalmology.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, hosts another installment of Survive &amp; Thrive with guests John P. Berdahl, MD, and Robert J. Weinstock, MD, to discuss the topic of clinical research in private practice. Drs. Berdahl and Weinstock share pearls and insights for those who have a research interest but are unsure how to get started outside of academia. Listen to learn more about the types of research one can conduct in this setting to help advance the field of ophthalmology.

Survive & Thrive: Research in Private Practice

Darrell E. White, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, as cohost for this episode of Ophthalmology off the Grid. They invite Maria C. Scott, MD, and Lisa K. Feulner, MD, PhD, to share unique experiences with their career paths in ophthalmology. The panel discussion touches on how each surgeon balances personal and professional goals and how their individual goals have evolved over the course of their careers.

Darrell E. White, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, as cohost for this episode of Ophthalmology off the Grid. They invite Maria C. Scott, MD, and Lisa K. Feulner, MD, PhD, to share unique experiences with their career paths in ophthalmology. The panel discussion touches on how each surgeon balances personal and professional goals and how their individual goals have evolved over the course of their careers.

Ever-Changing Perspectives in Ophthalmology

This special episode of Ophthalmology off the Grid was screened during the 2022 MillennialEYE Live meeting in Austin, Texas. Andriy Kovalov, MD, PhD, joined Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, from Kyiv, Ukraine, and discussed how he and his family have supported the civil defense efforts of his home country. Dr. Kovalov, with a 40-year established career in ophthalmology, explains how the Russian invasion has caused hospitals to shift from providing routine patient care to emergency services only. He further discusses ongoing challenges with communication and infrastructure as he cares for ocular trauma patients. To support Dr. Kovalov in helping to provide supplies and medical services to the citizens of Ukraine, you can donate to https://www.gofundme.com/f/c5mxd-help-for-ukraine.

This special episode of Ophthalmology off the Grid was screened during the 2022 MillennialEYE Live meeting in Austin, Texas. Andriy Kovalov, MD, PhD, joined Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, from Kyiv, Ukraine, and discussed how he and his family have supported the civil defense efforts of his home country. Dr. Kovalov, with a 40-year established career in ophthalmology, explains how the Russian invasion has caused hospitals to shift from providing routine patient care to emergency services only. He further discusses ongoing challenges with communication and infrastructure as he cares for ocular trauma patients. To support Dr. Kovalov in helping to provide supplies and medical services to the citizens of Ukraine, you can donate to <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gofundme.com%2Ff%2Fc5mxd-help-for-ukraine&amp;data=05%7C01%7CDYoung%40bmctoday.com%7C96ae3037fe5048db068808da52f22350%7C253279f1cd5f47688ebb08d87e3abee7%7C1%7C0%7C637913497175456802%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=1Cn5TwmmHOxXMM%2FgtmcifkgTz4vo3pUE4aPnQ9nAjaw%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.gofundme.com/f/c5mxd-help-for-ukraine</a>.

Ophthalmology in a War Zone

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Darrell E. White, MD, welcome guest Preeya K. Gupta, MD, to discuss the benefits and challenges of running a private practice. Dr. Gupta, who recently became a private practitioner, discusses her decision to leave academia, why she decided to take a leap of faith and bet on herself, and the importance of setting expectations when first starting out in private practice.

Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Darrell E. White, MD, welcome guest Preeya K. Gupta, MD, to discuss the benefits and challenges of running a private practice. Dr. Gupta, who recently became a private practitioner, discusses her decision to leave academia, why she decided to take a leap of faith and bet on herself, and the importance of setting expectations when first starting out in private practice.

The Case for Going Private

Hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite Erik L. Mertens, MD, FEBOphth, and Gregory D. Parkhurst, MD, FACS, to share their experiences with the recently FDA-approved EVO Visian ICL (STAAR Surgical). The surgeons discuss the excitement surrounding this technology, and Drs. Mertens and Parkhurst provide insights into the ideal patient candidates for this procedure and how ophthalmic surgeons can start to incorporate the EVO into their practices.

Hosts Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, invite Erik L. Mertens, MD, FEBOphth, and Gregory D. Parkhurst, MD, FACS, to share their experiences with the recently FDA-approved EVO Visian ICL (STAAR Surgical). The surgeons discuss the excitement surrounding this technology, and Drs. Mertens and Parkhurst provide insights into the ideal patient candidates for this procedure and how ophthalmic surgeons can start to incorporate the EVO into their practices.

Getting Started With the EVO Visian ICL

Dr. Gary Wortz is an international thought-leader and having him lead this podcast is a outstanding choice. It has well-curated topics and organic conversations between Dr. Wortz and invited guests- who are the leading experts in their respective field. This podcast helps me stay current. I recommend this for anyone in the eye care field- doctors and industry professionals. Thank you, Dr. Wortz- keep up the great convos!

Ophthalmology Obsessed

Dr Wortz is a world class ophthalmic surgeon with a talent for picking great topics and conducting excellent interviews with other experts. He is himself an innovator and his topics are always cutting edge. His sense of humor is  A+. Bottom line - this is a wonderful podcast.

Best podcast for the ophthalmic innovation space

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