No Longer a Solo Doc

My new associate started working about a month ago. Wow. It’s hard to believe it has already been that long, and at the same time it seems like she has always been here.

In many ways the transition from solo to group (albeit a group of two) has been seemless. It helps that there were plenty of exam rooms to go around, enough computers, and a steady flow of patients. It also helps that she is fresh out of fellowship and is flexible in her ways. And the fact that I’ve known her for more than five years helps, too.

It’s taken a while to get her officially credentialed with the various payers. We are still waiting on some. I do a happy dance every time an envelope comes from an insurance company addressed to her.

I think she still gets bothered when patients express their hesitation to see the “new doctor.” I told her that’s just the way it is; I should know, I’ve been there. It will pass. She has already had her patients refer friends and family to her, so I know it won’t be long before she’s no longer the new kid on the block.

She’s going to be off next week to take her specialty boards. The staff is already wondering what they are going to do with just me in the office. Oh, don’t worry, I’ll find plenty for them to do.

It’s been nice having someone to bounce ideas off of. Someone to vent to about cases, children, life. She’s only been around a month, but it’s going to feel weird next week when she’s not here.