Meet Max Shapiro | Gastroenterologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Max Shapiro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Max, how do you think about risk?
As with any decision, in medicine or business, the benefits must be carefully weighed against the risks. The most significant career risk that I have taken was joining a small group of gastroenterologists rather than a large pan-regional, hospital-owned, or multi-specialty practice. Now, as a part owner, I am tasked with navigating a competitive marketplace without a dedicated marketing team, large cash reserves, or other benefits from economies of scale. Relatively small month-to-month differences in productivity can have a significant impact on our bottom line, and the burden of all decisions rests squarely on us.

However, owning our small practice, has yielded the benefits of autonomy and flexibility. From a business perspective, as a small group, we can adapt more quickly to changes in the field, such as fluctuating reimbursement rates for procedures or ancillary services. We also have the ability to add equipment or employees without needing approval from anyone else. And, with a closer relationship to our staff, we can receive and respond to their feedback much more easily – building a strong sense of community within the office.

With nearly complete control over my schedule, I can make any adjustments that I see fit. This has benefits not only for me and my work/life balance, but perhaps more importantly, for my patients. For example, I can set longer appointment times, if needed, to ensure every patient can have all issues addressed and questions answered. Patients not only want to be heard, but these more in-depth conversations also contribute to better care. I can even add patients to the schedule at the last minute for more urgent matters. Also, without the need for a large call-center, patients can call the office directly to speak to the front desk staff or my medical assistant. I have received a lot of positive feedback for this, mostly as compared to the perceived difficulty of getting through to other offices. These factors allow me to provide a level of care and patient experience that other gastroenterologists in larger practices cannot. I find this quite rewarding and I know that the patients and referring physicians greatly appreciate this, as well.

In summary, by risking some stability and taking on administrative responsibilities with a smaller group practice, I have achieved the benefits of increased personal, staff and patient satisfaction. For me, the risk/reward calculation has definitely materialized in my favor.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My gastroenterology practice is a small group, which allows for more autonomy and flexibility. A recent example of this is our quick pivot to providing telemedicine in the spring of 2020, so we could continue to care for our patients in those challenging times. Although we have shifted back to primarily in-person visits, I continue offer telemedicine for anyone who requests it.

I am also the only doctor who participates in the Colonoscopy Assist program, which provides colonoscopies to uninsured or under-insured patients. I set aside a portion of my work week to treat patients through this program. They are very appreciative that I participate, because they otherwise might not have been able to afford their procedure. These are often among my most rewarding patient interactions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely see if there is a Braves game in town at Truist Park, and eat lunch or dinner at The Battery. There are some great restaurants in Midtown such as South City Kitchen where you can try some authentic fried chicken. There is always something happening for families so check out Aha Connection and Macaroni Kids for weekend events and festivals. Don’t forget to walk the BeltLine near Ponce City Market for the best people watching, street art, and restaurants.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my wife, Julie. Not only is she a great wife and mother, she is an excellent dietitian who keeps me updated on trends in nutrition in medicine.

Website: drmaxashapiro.com

Instagram: instagram.com/dr.maxshapiro/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/drmaxshapiro

Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.MaxA.Shapiro