Leadership | 06.23.25
Disruptive Leadership for MSPs: Rethinking the Future
By Jennifer Dorais, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the term “disruption” often conjures thoughts of technological innovation — telemedicine, artificial intelligence, or data-driven diagnostics. But disruption isn’t confined to gadgets or software; it also manifests in leadership. Disruptive leadership is transforming how medical services professionals (MSPs) operate, forcing us to rethink tradition, efficiency, and the value of courage in change.
What Is Disruptive Leadership?
Disruptive leadership involves challenging the status quo, questioning deeply held assumptions, and pushing organizations toward transformative progress. It’s not about reckless upheaval — it’s about intentional evolution. In the context of medical staff services, where regulatory compliance, credentialing timelines, and provider satisfaction intersect, disruptive leaders are those willing to ask: Is there a better way?
Why Now?
The post-pandemic era has accelerated the need for agile thinking. Healthcare organizations are merging, telehealth providers are on the rise, and workforce expectations are shifting. These pressures place new demands on MSPs, making the role of leadership more vital than ever.
MSPs are gatekeepers of patient safety and organizational integrity. But as credentialing timelines tighten and digital platforms multiply, sticking to “how we’ve always done it” is no longer sustainable. Disruptive leaders help pivot from outdated systems to proactive strategies that align with new realities.
Traits of a Disruptive MSP Leaders
- Visionary Thinking: They see beyond immediate tasks to envision what a more efficient, transparent, and data-driven process could look like.
- Constructive Dissent: They challenge inefficiencies respectfully, even when it’s uncomfortable, fostering cultures of critical thinking.
- Tech-Forward: They embrace automation, digital credentialing, and predictive analytics — not to replace people, but to empower them.
- Empathy + Accountability: They advocate for provider experience while upholding uncompromised compliance and safety standards.
- Change Catalysts: They initiate pilot projects, cross-train teams, or reconfigure workflows to adapt to the changing credentialing landscape.
Practical Examples in Medical Staff Servies
- Digital Credentialing Overhaul: Instead of relying solely on paper or siloed software, a disruptive leader might push for a systemwide adoption of blockchain-backed credentialing that allows real-time updates and verification.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: A leader might work with IT, legal, and clinical departments to design a unified onboarding experience that eliminates duplicate paperwork and reduces provider frustration.
- Reimagining Training: Rather than onboarding new MSPs through passive manuals, they implement mentorship programs or simulation-based credentialing scenarios.
The Payoff
Disruptive leadership isn’t about chaos — it’s about creating resilience. MSP leaders who embrace disruption position their departments as strategic assets rather than back-office functions. They help reduce risk, enhance provider satisfaction, and contribute directly to better patient outcomes.
Call to Action
If you are in a leadership position — or aspire to be — it’s time to ask:
- What can I challenge?
- What can I reimagine?
- What legacy do I want to leave?
As an MSP leader, you’re not just managing processes — you’re building the future of credentialing. The most impactful leaders in our field won’t be the ones who preserved tradition at all costs. They’ll be the ones who disrupted with purpose.
Jennifer Dorais, MHA, CPMSM, CPCS
Jennifer Dorais is the vice president of credentialing for Vituity. She is a current member of the NAMSS Publications Committee and past member of NAMSS Audit and Finance Committee.