Weeklong Event Recognizes Medical Staff Services

Stewart Hamilton, MD, CMO of Yuma (AZ) Regional Medical Center, says MSPs' work is sometimes portrayed as nitpicking and overly detailed, "but they are the first, and often the best, safety net of any hospital or group and indirectly of the patients and families we all serve."

By recognizing and supporting MSPs, leaders can help to advance their careers. "The recognition I have received from physician leaders, hospital administrators, and my peers has been extremely rewarding and has made me know how appreciated I have been for the work that I accomplished along the career journey," says Carole LaPine, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS, manager for physician services at Trinity Health in Novi, MI, regarding her promotion from procedure analyst to director of the credentialing department.

Kathleen Tafel, a medical staff services consultant and former manager of medical staff services at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady NY, recalls how her career as an MSP got off to a running start with the help of physician leaders and hospital executives.

"I came to the world of credentialing through the good fortune of an interview with two individuals: the director of medical affairs and the chief medical officer. They assessed a myriad of talents and matched them to the skill-set they were looking for. I will always be grateful to them for their ability to match my talents to the position," she says.

Tafel says she was fortunate to work for an organization with a strong public relations department that highlighted the important function that the credentialing office plays in patient safety during National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week. The PR department spotlighted the medical staff services department and individual credentialing specialists during that week, as well.

"The credentialing crew would also have our own little celebration.  It didn't need to be outrageous—just a break in time for us to connect as individuals over lunch, coffee, cookies, and a small gift," Tafel says.

"All too often, [MSPs] do not get the recognition or thanks that they deserve," says Hamilton.

So, how are you going to show thanks to your MSPs next week? Here are some tips on celebrating Medical Staff Services Awareness Week.

Liz Jones is an associate editor with HCPro, Inc. She writes Medical Staff Briefing and Hospitalist Leadership Advisor and co-writes Credentialing and Peer Review Legal Insider.