| Academic Medicine Services, Inc. is a corporation that employs approximately 140 physicians who are associated with the medical school at State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition to their private medical practices, these physicians educate medical students and residents at the major teaching hospitals in the Buffalo, NY area. At the same time, the physicians devote time to major research projects funded by public and private grants, and publish their findings in medical journals around the world.
To say there is a need for clear communications and efficient organization at Academic Medicine Services (AMS) is an understatement. That is why Michael Flynn, chief operating officer, and George Anderson, chief administrative officer, depend on the most current technology to keep things running smoothly at AMS.
Michael Flynn notes that AMS oversees more than a dozen operating divisions offering professional services in disciplines from allergy and cardiology to geriatrics and infectious disease, provided in four different hospitals and a variety of clinics. Including the physicians, AMS employs over 200 people, working in various locations, with many different professional affiliations. According to Michael Flynn, it is, to say the least, a human resource management challenge.
It is his job to manage all employee issues, including a wealth of financial data and other related items such as payroll, purchasing and grant applications for participating physicians. With 20 years of experience in the medical field, he would be the first to say the business side of medicine is only growing more complex each year.
While Mike is tending to the many business aspects of AMS, George Anderson is more involved with the academic issues that arise due to the corporation’s affiliation with a university department of medicine. George Anderson manages aspects related to the academic physicians and their staff members, whether they are involved in research or support of the medical clinics.
George has been associated with the University at Buffalo Department of Medicine for more than 30 years and holds an M.S. in education. His work involves what he calls academic business, dealing with physician contracts, recruiting and the like. |
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Of course, Mike and George work closely together. And while their tasks may differ, they share the same need for efficiency and communication within the AMS structure. They will both say they are challenged by all the data that must be managed.
Mike notes that in his role, he needs a way to quickly and easily obtain real-time information on all the employees of AMS, from salary ranges to years of service. George explains the administrative need for a central depository of information for all the physicians, faculty members, research staff, and support personnel. They both found their solution with Dendress Corporation.
Mike and George worked with Dendress in developing a customized software application they called Office Organizer, which then evolved into an Intranet to be used throughout the AMS organization. Some of the benefits they pointed out include:
Up to date information – The customized system offers a secure portal for disseminating and maintaining employee information, and keeping it current. It allows employees to update important information such as address or phone number changes, or e-mail address updates.
Real time, real fast – Information on employees is available to management with the press of a button. It offers a snapshot on everything from when an employee last received a pay raise, to how many years of service they have at AMS. This helps in developing and updating workplace procedures, regulations, incentive programs, etc.
Time savings – The system makes it easier for both Mike and George to manage the operations of AMS, giving them more time to devote to the most important functions of their respective positions.
Quality improvements – Because the system frees up more time, and makes data management more efficient, the overall quality of the AMS organization is improved. George spends less time on contract details and has more time to oversee the recruitment of the best physicians for AMS. Mike spends less time on billing and collections issues, and can focus on the bigger picture and future growth of the organization.
Contact Dendress Corporation for more information on customized Intranet solutions for your organization. |
