Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/971088
paysca le.com states a recent M A pro- g ra m g raduate shou ld ea rn a media n pay of $13.49 a n hour, a nd sa la r y.com states the median pay is $14.50 an hour. Both websites indicate a sta r ting pay much less tha n the $16 to $18 a n hour the entr y level M A s a re requesting. Based on paysca le.com, a mid-ca reer M A shou ld receive a med ia n pay of $14.46 an hour, and an experienced M A should receive a median pay of $14.57 an hour. The sa lar y.com website states the pay for a n M A with three or more yea rs of experience should receive a media n pay of $16 a n hour. If medica l practices a re w i l li ng (or forced) to pay M A s a higher sa la r y, the trend for higher pay will continue. At the same time, medica l practices a re faced with ensuring they have adequate sta ff to provide qua lit y patient care. It 's a dilemma that doesn't appea r to be cha ng ing a ny time soon. W hile this a r ticle prima rily focuses on the M A , our col lea g ues tel l us the sa me t rend i s occu r r i n g w it h ot her positions, such a s f ront desk, insur- a nce ver i f ication clerk a nd med ica l billers. As those of us actively involved in medica l practice management know, the trend for medica l practices has been f lat or decreased reimbursement, a nd increased expenses. How will medica l practices, rega rdless of size, be able to sur v ive in the f uture w ith these ca sh f low t r end s? W i l l sm a l ler me d ic a l practices look to hospita ls or private equit y g roups to buy them? Will some practices decide to close? It 's diff icult to determine the outcome. C o n s i d e r C o n c o r d i s P r a c t i c e Management LLC to evaluate your staff- ing and salary ranges. Learn more about Concordis Practice Management LLC at concordispm.com or call 210-704-1014 to schedule a consultation . n DENISE SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT AND PRIVATE BANKER FOR AMEGY BANK IN SAN ANTONIO, E XPL AINS HOW AMEGY BANK CAN HELP HE ALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN BANKING AND WORKING WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS? I have over two decades of banking experi- ence within commercial, retail, real estate and private banking, and I've worked specifically with healthcare professionals for the last 10 years. WHAT DREW YOU TO HEALTHCARE BANKING? I have a passion to help and serve people by utilizing my financial background. I feel I share the same goal as the healthcare providers within the industry to seek solutions to best serve them by providing the best care possible. TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE. I am actively a part of the Healthcare Think Tank group in San Antonio, Bexar County Medical Group Society and San Antonio Medical Group Management Association to keep current on the trends of the healthcare industry for my clients. I personally serve on boards within the communit y to foster education a nd healthy lifestyle for children and families. HOW CAN AMEGY BANK HELP HEALTHCARE CLIENTS, AND WHAT DISTINGUISHES AMEGY FROM ITS COMPETITORS? Our team specializes in responding to the changing needs of our healthcare clients. Helping our clients is more than offering products and services – it is being responsive and timely, truly understand- ing their specifics needs and delivering great service. Denise Smith (NMLS# 1707831) is a Vice President and Private Banker for Amegy Bank in San Antonio. She is a leader of the Women Ministry Executive Board , Communities in School mentor for high school students , Boy Scouts of America troop Treasurer and G irl Scouts of Southwest Texas Troop Leader. P r i o r to jo inin g Am eg y , S mith wa s vice president and senior relationship manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch . She earned her BBA in finance from Texas A&M University in College S tat i o n , Te xa s . Fo r m o re info r m a- tion about what Smith and her team at Amegy Bank in San Antonio can do, please contact Smith at 10001 Reunion Place Blvd., San Antonio, Texas 78216, b y phone at 210 - 34 3 - 4 502 or e mail denise.c.smith@amegybank.com. n MEET DENISE SMITH Continued from Page 5 1 4 1 4❱❱❱❱❱ B A N K I N G