Leading with a Go-Giver Mindset: How Collaboration and Mentorship Can Drive Success in Medical Practice Management

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams talks with Carol Ittig, MBA, FACMPE, Practice Administrator at Children’s Orthopedics and Scoliosis Surgery Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carol shares her journey from healthcare administration student to influential leader, and how adopting a go-giver philosophy has shaped her approach to leadership, mentorship, and innovation.

Key Takeaways

• [03:35] Carol’s Path to Healthcare Leadership
  Carol’s career pivot and how early experiences in patient care sparked her passion for health care leadership.
• [07:35] Why Networking is Non-Negotiable
  How leveraging MGMA and other professional networks enabled Carol to launch new initiatives like research programs and a foundation.
• [07:49] The Power of Mentorship
  Lessons from her mentor Debbie Mitchell — setting boundaries, embracing authenticity, and saying yes to growth opportunities.
• [10:49] The Go-Giver Philosophy in Action
  Carol explains the five laws from The Go-Giver and how they translate into leadership in medical practices.
• [18:12] Solving Payer Challenges Through Collaboration
  How Carol’s orthopedic billing listserv uncovered a nationwide claims denial issue — and the steps taken to resolve $50,000 in denied claims.
• [21:07] AI and Prior Authorization: What Leaders Need to Know
  Insights into emerging AI-driven payer edits and practical tips for navigating prior authorization hurdles.
• [27:49] Navigating MGMA Resources Efficiently
  Carol’s “secret sauce” for staying informed about MGMA programs without getting lost in the website.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Carol Ittig on LinkedIn
• Orthopedic Executives Association (AOE)
• CHORTHO Cares Foundation
• The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
• MGMA Membership
• MGMA Mentor Program
• If you're interested in joining the MGMA Book Club, reach out to Daniel at dwilliams@mgma.org.

Sponsors:

Your staff is buried in phone calls. Patients are frustrated. And you're losing revenue to no-shows. There's a better way. GoTo Connect for Healthcare is a unified, AI-powered communication platform built to support your HIPAA compliance, streamline scheduling, reduce staff burden, and help your team do more with less. Because when communication works, care works. Learn more and get a personalized demo.

Allied Medical Waste is the premier medical waste and document shredding company for medical groups all over the United States. On average, Allied helps medical groups save up to 50% on their monthly costs. Allied is known for their great service and impeccable response times. Reach out today for a free quote! Allied has a special offer for all MGMA members: the first 2 months FREE of charge! Connect with us at sales@alliedusa.net or call (801) 328-8581.