Independent Physician Practices—Today's Emerging Models
Thu Jan 29 2026
In this episode, Dr. John R. Mehall returns to the show for a discussion with host Dan Karnuta about the evolving economics of physician practice and how different organizational models — hospital employment, independent groups and private equity partnerships — shape autonomy, productivity and long-term sustainability. Drawing on his experience as a former cardiac surgeon and now healthcare executive and entrepreneur, Mehall explains why hospitals increasingly struggle to sustain physician employment, how subsidy-driven compensation models can create internal competition, and what it really takes for physicians to successfully transition back to independence through ancillaries, capital investment and operational support.
Kaiser is director of the MS/MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management for Professionals at UT Dallas' Naveen Jindal School of Management.
Previous episodes with Dr. John Mehall:
Episode 118: Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians
Episode 43: Filling Medical Staffing Gaps
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In this episode, Dr. John R. Mehall returns to the show for a discussion with host Dan Karnuta about the evolving economics of physician practice and how different organizational models — hospital employment, independent groups and private equity partnerships — shape autonomy, productivity and long-term sustainability. Drawing on his experience as a former cardiac surgeon and now healthcare executive and entrepreneur, Mehall explains why hospitals increasingly struggle to sustain physician employment, how subsidy-driven compensation models can create internal competition, and what it really takes for physicians to successfully transition back to independence through ancillaries, capital investment and operational support. Kaiser is director of the MS/MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management for Professionals at UT Dallas' Naveen Jindal School of Management. Previous episodes with Dr. John Mehall: Episode 118: Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians Episode 43: Filling Medical Staffing Gaps