MGMA Member Spotlight: Kendra Yahns on Internships and Leadership Development in Healthcare Management

MGMA Podcasts

In this episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight, host Daniel Williams interviews Kendra Yahns, Executive Director of Perkins Spine and Sports Medicine. Yahns shares her journey in healthcare leadership, discusses the benefits of internship programs in private practices and emphasizes the importance of leadership training in healthcare management.

Healthcare Leadership Journey:

• Starting on the frontlines provides valuable insight into leadership needs and patient flow.
• Transitioning between different healthcare sectors can offer unique perspectives on management.

Internship Program Innovation:

• Internships can bridge the gap between academic education and practical skills in healthcare management.
• Well-structured internship programs can help practices stay lean while providing valuable experience to students.

Recruitment Challenges:

• There's a disconnect between academic degrees and the skills required for entry-level healthcare management positions.
• Hiring managers often struggle to find candidates with the right mix of education and practical experience.

Leadership Development:

• Creating a "leadership playbook" can help aspiring leaders navigate the complexities of healthcare management.
• Focusing on topics like communication, work-life balance, and HR best practices is crucial for effective healthcare leadership.

Practical Solutions:

• Utilizing platforms like Handshake can help practices connect with potential interns from local universities.
• Developing targeted leadership training programs can address the specific needs of healthcare management roles.

MGMA Resources:

• MGMA Stat
• Ask an Advisor
• MGMA Membership
• MGMA Consulting

We Want to Hear From You:

Let us know if there's a topic you want us to cover, an expert you would like us to interview, or if you'd like to appear on an MGMA podcast. Email us at:

Daniel Williams: [e-mail]

Ryan Reaves: [e-mail]

Colleen Luckett: [e-mail]

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Today’s podcast is sponsored by RingCentral

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Support for this podcast also comes from ilumed
ilumed helps Medicare providers practice better medicine so they can get paid in up to three ways. Whether you’re just starting your value-based-care journey or ready to take it to the next level, ilumed can help you do more for your patients while earning more. ilumed offers simple solutions for a complicated industry. Let’s heal healthcare together. Visit ilumed.com to learn more.