253 The Band is Back Together Again: The SOAPM Reunion
SOAPM Reunion: Practice Evolution, Corporate Medicine, and the Future of Pediatric Leadership Hosts reunite longtime colleagues on The Pediatric Lounge to reflect on how the AAP’s SOAPM listserv connected them and shaped their careers in pediatric practice management. Retired pediatricians John, Jesse, Bud, Jeanne, and Hershel, along with Seth (now in the vaccine/pharma industry), describe varied practice paths including solo and group practices, HMOs, faculty practice integration, rapid growth and sales to Stanford or larger groups, and experiences with corporate healthcare and private equity. The group discusses loss of succession planning, younger physicians’ reluctance to manage practices, lifestyle and childcare constraints, inadequate training in business/coding, moral injury, declining reimbursement, and consolidation driven by weak competition and antitrust enforcement. They contrast SOAPM’s earlier community and humor with later moderation and minutiae, highlight examples of successful newer independent leaders, and close with plans to reconnect at future meetings. 00:00 Welcome to Pediatric Lounge 00:37 SOAPM Reunion Origins 01:21 John Practice Journey 03:31 Jesse Group Evolution 05:17 Bud Growth and Humanism 07:43 Jeanne Innovation and Consulting 11:28 Hershel SOAPM Stories 15:52 Seth Industry Pivot 18:58 Why Partners Quit 24:08 Corporate Medicine Shift 29:13 Training and Leadership Gap 33:50 System Failures and Monopolies 41:33 Hospital Power Politics 42:13 Training Empathy Loss 43:35 RBRVS Moral Injury 44:09 Two Tier Concierge Care 46:10 Pediatrics Pay Crunch 49:24 Coding Leadership Fixes 51:20 Listserv Moderation Wars 56:27 Camaraderie CME Decline 01:00:26 Humor Friendship Stories 01:03:41 Hope Leaders Market Shakeup 01:10:34 Healthcare Billing Absurdity 01:11:29 Farewell Reunion Plans 01:13:39 Show Wrap Credits Support the show 🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review. Read more on the TPL Website SOCIAL Media Pages =============================== 📝 - Substack 🎧 - PODCAST 👥 - FACEBOOK 🐦 - TWITTER 📸 - Instagram ➡️ - Linkedin The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between. The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.






