American Ninja Warriors and Aviators Inspired MSPs at the NAMSS 47th Annual Conference

by Lisa Goodwin, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM

NAMSS recently concluded its 47th annual conference, “Building Better: Setting the Foundation for the Future of the Profession,” in Orlando, Florida. This year’s conference provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities that MSPs face in an ever-changing industry. The opening keynote speaker, American Ninja Warrior (ANW) competitor Alex Weber, talked about “The Unstoppable You.” He shared stories of the grueling obstacles he encountered both on and off the ANW course, drawing parallels to the obstacles we all face. His message deeply resonated with the audience, reminding them that just as he conquered seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we too could overcome any challenge in our path. 

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the importance of streamlining medical staff credentialing and enrollment processes through technology. Speakers discussed the unique challenges posed by telemedicine, such as ensuring compliance with regulations and licensure when the provider and the patient are in different states.

As always, the NAMSS conference provided a platform for discussions on the latest legislative and regulatory changes. Attendees gained insights into upcoming regulatory updates and their potential impact on the credentialing and enrollment processes. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and patient safety.

The conference also offered numerous opportunities for MSPs to connect with fellow attendees through pop-up networking events focused on specific groups, such as provider enrollment, locum tenens, GME, and more. New attendees were invited to meet with NAMSS board members in the Tomorrow’s MSP Café.

No discussion about the future of healthcare would be complete without addressing the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the changes it brought to the profession and highlighting the need for greater flexibility in staffing and remote work solutions. These topics were covered in depth throughout the course of the event.

This year’s exhibit hall was home to more than 45 sponsors and vendors. A special thank you to our Elite and Premium sponsors: HealthStream, MD-Staff, American Medical Association, National Committee for Quality Assurance, RLDatix, and symplr. Sponsors also provided thousands of dollars’ worth of giveaways to lucky attendees. We celebrated all certificants with a toast at the “MSPs: Wonderful & Wild Networking” reception, where we also had a chance to hold a live alligator. 

Lisa Goodwin with a live alligator.

A summary of this year’s conference would be incomplete if I didn’t mention the amazing closing keynote speaker Amelia Rose Earhart. Amelia taught us to “Learn to Love the Turbulence: Create a Flight Plan for Your Goals.” Wow, what an impactful presentation!

I am encouraged and excited about the future of NAMSS and the medical staff profession. In 2024, let’s impact, influence, and inspire ourselves and others. I hope to see all of you in Denver, Sept. 29–Oct. 2, 2024, for the NAMSS 48th Educational Conference & Exhibition. Stay tuned for more registration details.

While you may have missed out on the live education from this year's conference, you can still access session recordings to watch on your own time! Visit the Education Zone to view all conference recordings.

Lisa Goodwin, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM, is the current NAMSS president-elect.