The University of Miami School of Business Administration is planning the expansion of its Physician Practice Management Certificate Program. Developed in conjunction with the Florida Medical Association (FMA), the UM certificate program is one of the only programs of its kind in the nation.
Plans are being finalized to offer the Physician Practice Management Certificate Program as a standalone program in select cities in Florida. This management certificate program helps clinicians and office managers develop business skills that are essential to running an effective practice.
"As the health care industry evolves, physicians are not only joining small and large multimillion-dollar practices, they’re running these organizations," said Steven Ullmann, a professor of management and director of the School’s programs in health sector management and policy. "Today’s doctors must understand how to negotiate contracts with medical suppliers, maneuver through Medicare and Medicaid systems, negotiate with insurance and managed care companies as well as hospitals, understand cost structure pricing and financing, and manage a professional staff."
The program is designed for small and large physician practice groups as well as sole practitioners who seek to more effectively and efficiently manage and operate their organizations. Practitioners gain a better understanding of government health care policies and future trends, incentive structures, insurance and managed care relationships and negotiations. Techniques associated with recruiting, staffing, managing personnel, budgeting, medical supply and equipment contracting and negotiations are also explored.
The program is modeled after the business school’s internationally-ranked Executive MBA in Health Sector Management and Policy program, which has been offered at UM for almost 35 years and is currently ranked fourth in the nation by Modern Healthcare magazine. It is also dually accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting agency of collegiate business schools, and CAHME, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with FMA to deliver a program that is timely and important for clinicians to maintain a competitive advantage and enhance their business practices, especially as health care reform moves forward,” said David Lecón, director of executive education programs at the UM School of Business.
The two-day program consists of five modules including: Human Resource Management, Legal/Regulatory Issues, Tools for Investment and Finance Decisions, Improving the Patient’s Experience, and Current and Future Trends in Health Care. Classes are taught by the School’s regular world-class MBA faculty.
"The FMA is an ideal partner for the School of Business as we expand our health sector programs," said Ullmann. "We look forward to providing its members with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully navigate the increasingly complex business of health care."
Participants who successfully complete the two-day program will earn the Physician Practice Management Certificate from the University of Miami School of Business Administration. The school also offers a joint MD/MBA program in partnership with the University’s Miller School of Medicine, as well as an undergraduate major and a minor in health sector management and policy.
