At one time, when Deborah Parker-Pratt was running an OBGYN office in East Memphis, she would meet three times each month with other people who also ran doctors’ offices.

“I’d meet one week at Baptist, another week at Eastwood, and another week at Methodist – each time with different people who did what I did,” she recalled. “We’d talk about different aspects of our jobs.”

She estimated that between the three groups there was a total of about 65 people. That was back in the early 1980s. At the same time, Scott Harris, who was doing the same job at Saint Francis Hospital, also had a group of about 7o managers who met regularly.

Back then their job title was “office manager” and while the work was important and the challenges often complicated, the position had very little status and not a whole lot of appreciation. Of course, the pay could have been better as well.

Then one day in 1987, David Rea called Deborah Parker-Pratt to talk about bringing her groups and Scott Harris’ group together as one organization. Rea was president-elect of the Tennessee Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and he talked about how their jobs had become so complex that his state association needed a network venue and an educational forum, which could enable office managers to more effectively and efficiently manage their medical practices.

Deborah and Scott agreed and the Mid-South Medical Group Management Association (MSMGMA) was established as a local affiliate of the Tennessee MGMA.

“As soon as we came together we were the biggest chapter in the state,” Parker-Pratt said. “We benefited from our size. We were able to get better speakers for our meetings, our membership grew and doctors discovered what we were learning. When our doctors saw the advantage of the information we were learning, we gained their support. “

The Medical Society became a strong ally and benefited from that support. The education they were getting enabled practice managers to more effectively and efficiently manage their medical practices. By encouraging Medical Society physicians to support the MSMGMA, these physicians and their practices grew stronger.

Now, 30 years later, “office managers” have become “practice managers” or “administrators” and while the difficult challenges have not disappeared, the people doing the job have gained increased status and respect. And the pay has gotten better.

Of course, Deborah, who retired four years ago, will point out that as the respect for practice managers increased, the job has grown even more challenging and complex and the requirements to fill the position more stringent. Today, the primary duties of practice managers include overseeing daily operations, billing and collections, designing patient services and implementing work policies for employees. 

As for Deborah Parker-Pratt, she still attends MSMGMA meetings. She enjoys seeing old friends and has a love for the organization that has meant so much to her. And, certainly, the feeling is mutual.

The MSMGMA will host past presidents at its annual holiday party December 8 which also will serve as its 30-year anniversary celebration.