Making a Difference for Small Practices

Mohamed S. Yassin, MD, FAAAAI, on what small and solo practices need to thrive.

What does it take for a small or solo practice to succeed? According to Mohamed S. Yassin, MD, FAAAAI, making connections with the wider allergy/immunology and healthcare community is vital.

Mohamed S. Yassin, MD, FAAAAI

Thirty-two years ago, Dr. Yassin began his solo practice in allergy/immunology, and quickly became aware of the professional isolation that comes from working in such a small practice. “In only a few months I was aware that I needed to take steps to combat it,” Dr. Yassin said. “Attending annual scientific meetings and getting involved in the different AAAAI committees solved the professional isolation and kept me practicing up-to-date medicine.”

Involvement is Key

Staying involved remains a priority for Dr. Yassin, both within the AAAAI and other medical organizations. He’s an active member and Past Chair of the Practice Management Committee within the AAAAI and is actively involved with a number of organizations, including the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Medical Association (AMA). While he has limited time to engage with different professional societies, the value they bring to him and the allergy/immunology field cannot be understated.

“The AAAAI allows me to grow scientifically, and I consult on fraud and embezzlement so membership with ACFE is essential. The AMA has a powerful lobbying force that is constantly working on my behalf as a physician as well as advocating for my patients every day,” Dr. Yassin said.

Dr. Yassin finds membership with the AMA to be particularly crucial, in part due to the small size of the allergy/immunology specialty. “The AAAAI works in concert with the AMA on vital advocacy issues (that are) very important to the survival of our specialty,” he said. “To do that the AAAAI needs to secure a seat in the AMA House of Delegates, which requires AMA membership of the majority of AAAAI members. I urge all AAAAI members to become members of the AMA. For those who think 'someone else will do that, I am not needed' you are wrong. We need solidarity to advocate at the federal and state levels on key health care issues that impact our patients and our specialty.”

The connections he's made and education he's received from organizations have helped him find solutions to a wide variety of practice challenges. As soon as he could, he wanted to start giving back.

Dr. Yassin (center) with several colleagues at the 2024 AAAAI Annual Meeting

Dr. Yassin began consulting, working largely with small practices to help them overcome challenges like the ones he’d faced over the years. “My consulting practice was born out of my desire to help others. I grew up with my father who told me repeatedly: ‘Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened,’” Dr. Yassin said.

Common Challenges for Small Practices

While he consults on several topics, there are challenges he sees come up repeatedly. One of the more common ones he sees are commercial insurances' contracts and payments. “If there is a change in the global insurance coverage, I typically advise the group to the AAAAI advocacy team. If it is a specific issue related only to the group, I help them to set up a meeting with the highest-level appropriate insurance administrator,” Dr. Yassin explained.

Another challenge he often sees involves recruiting and retaining staff. “I advise them to step back and create a mission and vision for their organization to lift the morale of the existing employees and help to attract and retain new employees,” Dr. Yassin said.

But something he always comes back to for smaller practices is professional isolation, and how important it is to take steps to combat it. “Small and solo practices must prioritize getting involved in organizations like the AAAAI where they can meet colleagues and build a network,” he said. “I also advise mentoring and teaching local medical students, fellows and primary care providers and other specialists to expand one’s network beyond allergist/immunologists and to build a reputation as a local allergy expert.”

The healthcare field is constantly evolving, which is part of the reason why connections with different groups of healthcare professionals are so important, whether you are part of a solo practice or something larger.

If you are looking for practice management resources, the AAAAI has many to choose from. You can also learn more about committees available to join here.

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